 The Finnish health and welfare sector now has its own strategic leading expertise centre (T&H SHOK). It is led by a limited company jointly established by 29 Finnish operators. Tieto has joined this partnership out of a strong desire to be at the forefront of improving the quality and efficiency of health-care and welfare services.
The goal of T&H SHOK is to develop products, services, and practices to prevent and treat diseases that strain the national economy as well as to maintain and improve the functional capacity of the individual. These actions also boost the international competitiveness of Finnish companies.
The first programmes of the T&H SHOK initiative will begin at the start of 2010. These includeThe Healthy Brain, Intelligent Monitoring of Individual Health and Well-being, and Obesity and Related Health Challenges.
In addition to these three programmes, the centre has two areas of focus for multidisciplinary development: the first involves utilising information well and strengthening new innovations, and the second emphasises the development of data control and computing.
"Health and welfare practices are reshaped as the information level and IT skills of citizens and the IT systems of professionals develop. Full control of personal health and the supporting IT systems enables new structures, products, services, and practices for improving health and for preventing, treating, and monitoring diseases. Medical proof, and creating and demonstrating health benefits are becoming the key elements in both independent and professionally supported health management," says Development Director Jukka Kirjavainen, representing Tieto on the board of directors of the newly established company.
Jouko Haapalahti, Orion Diagnostica Oy's assistant vice-president in charge of the preparatory work for the Intelligent Monitoring of Individual Health and Well-being programme, says: "Finland offers excellent expertise for developing new intelligent tools to monitor individual health and well-being. By combining diagnostic expertise with expertise in health-related biotech, nanotechnology, and information technologies, it is possible to develop easy-to-use and cost-efficient measuring devices not only for the use of health professionals but also for individual users and those around them. The areas of focus in the programme include intelligent biomarker combinations, combinations and integration of technology platforms, printable production methods, and solid testing environments." |
