Valais showcases opportunities for digitalization in healthcare
As part of Swiss Digital Day 2018 at Sion railway station, the public was able to test out various healthcare-related innovations, such as smart clothing, a smartphone that measures blood pressure and an eye-controlled wheelchair.
They can also be discovered via social media. "The digitalization of healthcare is well underway. This Sedun hub and its high-quality presentations reinforce the fact that Valais is home to recognized skills and expertise. Our canton is one of the leaders in digital healthcare in Switzerland", declared Christophe Darbellay at the event. declared Christophe Darbellay at the official opening ceremony.
A 5-step health path
The Valais Digital Day demonstration area at Sion railway station was developed by digitalswitzerland, Business Valais, The Ark, Swiss Digital Health, Science Valais, HES-SO Valais-Wallis and Valais/Wallis Promotion. It proposed a five-stage health journey. Various start-ups and projects were presented in the fields of "Education and Wellness", "Prevention", "Diagnostics", "Homecare" and "Living Assistance".
The highlight of the day was the opportunity to test innovations on site throughout the day. "Visitors were very interested. It's probably also due to the fact that we're not debating digitalization here, but rather directly demonstrating the resulting innovations. Digitalization that you can touch, so to speak", says Sébastien Mabillard, Director of Swiss Digital Health, The Ark Foundation's initiative to promote digital health.
eHealth skills in Valais
As the third largest hospital in Switzerland, the Valais Hospital develops and initiates innovative projects in the healthcare sector, including the challenges of digitalization. In addition, the Clinique Romande de Réadaptation (CRR) SuvaCare, the Haut-Plateau rehabilitation clinics and private clinics make the Valais a place that can offer high-quality skills and expertise, recognized both nationally and internationally.
In Valais, research is being carried out on various e-health projects as part of a long-standing cooperation, notably by The Ark and more specifically Swiss Digital Health, by the HES-SO Valais-Wallis, its eHealth department and the IATLab, or by the EPFL Valais with the Institute for Rehabilitation Research (IRR). "In Valais, many pioneering projects in the field of digital healthcare have been and are being developed. The Sion site is therefore the ideal place to showcase the opportunities offered by digitalization in the healthcare sector", says Sébastien Mabillard with conviction.
Source: Valais/Wallis Promotion press release
