Special Topic | DMEA 2024: Berlin-Brandenburg Digital Health Ecosystem introduces itself

Held once again at the Messe Berlin trade fair center, the DMEA, Europe’s most important event for digital health, provided an overview of the market and the opportunities for the future. The German capital region was again represented with a big joint stand comprising a total of 28 exhibitors that attracted large number of visitors. It offered national and international guests at the DMEA ample room for networking and establishing new business contacts, including in the EEN Partnering Area.

 

From April 9 to 11, Messe Berlin was once again the venue for the trade fair “DMEA - Connecting Health,” which was organized by a joint DMEA project team consisting of the German Health IT Association - bvitg e. V. and Messe Berlin. Around 18,600 participants, some 800 exhibitors and over 350 speakers spent three days exchanging ideas on the topic of health IT.

In addition to IT solutions for doctors' surgeries and laboratories, the show focused on topics such as software for hospitals, rehabilitation clinics and care homes as well as telemedicine and digital solutions that support patients in prevention, diagnostics and on their journey through the healthcare system. In the numerous sessions, the specialist audience had the opportunity to learn about the latest developments and concepts.

Status quo of digital health in Berlin-Brandenburg

For the first time, a stocktake of the Berlin-Brandenburg digital health ecosystem was presented at the DMEA in the session “Digital Health in the Berlin-Brandenburg Capital Region – Stocktake and Development Services.” The 41-page document looks at the strengths, characteristics and development potential of the digital health ecosystem. “Companies can find an optimal starting point here for the practical testing of innovative concepts in the healthcare sector. The capital region and the rural surrounding areas with a total of six million inhabitants are considered as testing ground for pilot projects in the EU-regulated market,” Stefan Bauer of the Economic Development Agency Brandenburg said at the presentation of the stocktake.

The digital health ecosystem in the Berlin-Brandenburg capital region is particularly dynamic. With more than 40 academic institutions, 151 clinics, around 30 inpatient rehabilitation facilities, global players in the healthcare industry and a highly innovative start-up cene - to name just a few active players - it is constantly evolving.

Joint Berlin-Brandenburg stand

This was also reflected at the DMEA. Visitors got a chance to find out what is driving the digital health community today and tomorrow at the joint stand of the Berlin-Brandenburg capital region which had 28 exhibitors and was organized by the Berlin Partner consultancy group.

The stand brought together a variety of companies and stakeholders, innovative ideas and applications that have been developed in the region.

At the same time, the stand provided opportunities for an exchange with stakeholders from Germany and abroad. Among the highlights were the well-attended sessions of the HealthCapital cluster organized by Berlin Partner and the Brandenburg Economic Development Agency as part of DMEA’s program of events. Current trends, applications and process innovations were presented and discussed, ranging from new ways of providing healthcare in rural areas and AI in the care sector to gender-specific health solutions and strategies for the hospital of the future.

Research institutions from the Berlin region also showcased their expertise and opportunities for cooperation with industry. In this way, visitors were able to get an idea of the challenges and possible solutions associated with the processing and use of data in the healthcare sector, for example.

The first AI applications by the group Vivantes Network for Health, for example, were used to illustrate the challenges of AI-supported diagnostics and evaluation in everyday clinical practice. The participants also discussed what was needed for data from wearables to be incorporated into the assessment of treatment success.

Innovative exhibitors

The exhibitor NursIT Institute GmbH has been exhibiting at the joint Berlin-Brandenburg stand at DMEA for many years and has increased its visibility, also in terms of exhibition space, over the years. The company originated in the field of nursing care documentation and now offers comprehensive nursing and treatment software. “We have grown as a company, and this is also reflected in our trade fair stand. The DMEA and Berlin Partner create the right conditions, such as a relaxed atmosphere that promotes exchange. It's just great to be here,” said Alexander Kaps, application specialist at NursIT.

The other exhibitors also expressed strong satisfaction with the stand and the well-attended trade fair. The latest trends in digital health and the capital region’s pioneering role were on show with the presentation of innovations relating to AI, documentation and surgery software as well as to interoperability and data security, and with computer games with physical involvement.

The Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) network “MentalGesund” from Potsdam was also represented in order to bring together stakeholders from research, development and the healthcare industry with potential customers.

Evening reception of the federal states

The Minister for Economic Affairs, Labor and Energy of the State of Brandenburg, Jörg Steinbach, said during his visit: "DMEA is the leading trade fair in this field in Europe. You are all here to represent Berlin and Brandenburg and that is impressive." On the second day of the trade fair, the minister said at the evening reception of the HealthCapital joint stand in Hall 3.2: "I assume that you are all active in an industry that is constantly developing. It is impressive to see here how diverse the Brandenburg and Berlin healthcare industry is. Many thanks to all those who have organized the joint trade fair presentation and are taking part in this leading event."

That view was shared by Berlin Partner for Business and Technology and the Economic Development Agency Brandenburg Berlin (WFBB): "We can look back on three successful days at the DMEA! Good sessions, visits by politicians and valuable exchanges with industry specialists have once again contributed to a successful trade fair experience this year," said Dr. Kai Bindseil, head of the healthcare industry department at Berlin Partner.

At the reception, State Secretary Dr Severin Fischer from the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises once again emphasized the massive advancement in digitalization during the pandemic years, which has had an impact on the development of the entire industry. Berlin and Brandenburg are remaining "the place to be for innovation and progress,” said Fischer. "I hope to see you all here again next year at the trade fair."

The DMEA 2025 will take place from April 8 to 10. The HealthCapital Berlin-Brandenburg cluster management is looking forward to it!

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