The Future of Health: Global Developments and Opportunities for Romania
About the Event
The event was organized by Aspen Institute Romania, under the aegis of the Aspen Healthcare & Quality of Life Program, in partnership with the Ministry of Health of Romania and the G6 UMF University Alliance.
Innovation and the increasing adoption of new technologies are radically changing the field of healthcare, pushing traditional boundaries, and contributing to an increase in the life expectancy and quality of life of people around the world. The digitalization of healthcare systems fosters data sharing, interoperability, and a more equitable access to health services. The use of Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning algorithms and software in healthcare means that data can be gathered and processed much more efficiently than before. Conclusions are thus much more easily drawn and scientific breakthroughs are facilitated. Telemedicine, allowing healthcare professionals to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients at a distance using telecommunications technologies, is further changing the future of healthcare infrastructure, increasing healthcare coverage, and decreasing costs.
These trends and evolution of new technologies can provide key benefits to patients but also require significant changes to healthcare systems worldwide. The event will analyze the latest developments around the world, while asking how Romania can benefit from the opportunities brought about by innovation and new technologies in the medical field. In particular, the event will look at the implementation of digital solutions, including telemedicine, and AI in the Romanian healthcare system. Participants will also discuss the reforms that need to be put forward in order to make this a reality, looking at examples and best practices from other healthcare systems.
Speakers and participants included a select group of key Romanian decision-makers, high-level representatives of the Romanian educational system and medical universities, medical experts from Romania and abroad as well as private sector leaders and providers of new technologies.
About Aspen Healthcare & Quality of Life Program
Aspen Institute Romania’s Healthcare & Quality of Life Program was created to broaden the scope of the debate on health policy and support sustainable reforms in the health sector. It has developed a program community involving all relevant stakeholders (public officials and decision-makers, private stakeholders and representatives of the non-governmental and academic sectors and patients’ associations). It provides a neutral and balanced venue, not just for discussing, but also for acting on critical issues affecting the Romanian and regional healthcare systems.
Aspen Healthcare & Quality of Life Program Partners: Roche, Alliance Healthcare, Pfizer, Sanofi, Astra Zeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, AbbVie
Agenda
08:45 – 09:15 Registration & Welcome Coffee
09:15 – 09:30 Opening Remarks
- Alexandra Gătej – Vice-president, Aspen Institute Romania
- Alexandru Rafila – Minister of Health, Government of Romania
09:30 – 10:30 Session 1 – The adoption of new technologies in the Romanian healthcare sector – developments and opportunities
- Ștefan Bușnatu – Honorary Counselor, Ministry of Health
Romania’s eHealth transformation opportunities in the times of the EHDS regulation and digital ethical principles
- Dafin Mureșanu – Director of Neurosciences Department, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca
Increasing neurobiological reserve with the help of neurotechnologies and AI
Moderator: Prof. dr. Cristian Vlădescu – Senior Fellow, Aspen Healthcare & Quality of Life Program
10:30 – 11:10 Panel 1
- Viorel Scripcariu – Rector, “Grigore T Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași / President, G6 UMF University Alliance
- Cristian Bușoi – Chair of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, European Parliament
- Adela Cojan – President, National Health Insurance House
- Corneliu Florin Buicu – Vice-president, Commission of Health
- Ioana Popescu – Student at the European School of Bucharest
Interactive Session
11.10 – 11.30 Coffee break
11:30 – 12:20 Session 2 – New Technologies in Healthcare: Best practices and the role of the private sector
- Yoel Har-Even – Director, Sheba Global & Resource Development
Healthcare’s Challenges and the Emerging Solutions
- Alexandra Olaru – Director Legal & External Affairs, Vodafone
Telemedicine solutions serving communties
- Viorel Jinga – Rector, „Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest
The Role of Medical Education Digitalization in Transformation of Medical Assistance Paradigm of the 21st Century
Moderator: dr. Ștefan Bușnatu – Honorary Adviser of Minister of Health
12:20 – 13.00 Panel 2
- Alexandra Gătej – Vice-president, Aspen Institute Romania
- Claudiu Pândaru – Journalist
- Barbara Marinescu – Student, Laude – Reut School
Interactive Session
13.00 – 13:15 Final Remarks & Conclusions
- Alexandru Rafila – Minister of Health
13:15 – 14:15 Lunch