Applications Open for HealthComm Awards: Recognitions for Projects Promoting the Values of Modern, Patient-Centered Healthcare

Applications are now open for the first HealthComm Awards, a unique and comprehensive award that promotes excellence in healthcare. Excellence is reflected in practical examples focused on the health of citizens and better treatment outcomes for patients, which significantly depend on restoring trust in the healthcare system. Applications are open until May 10, and the awards will be ceremoniously presented to the winners during the HealthComm Forum 2024 conference, which will be held on June 6 and 7 in Zagreb, focusing on the theme of a new social contract for healthcare.

Applications are accepted online, and projects in six categories can be submitted by organizations from the public and private healthcare sectors, food and technology companies, communication agencies, startups, as well as professional associations and patient associations. The jury of the HealthComm Awards will be chaired by Ivica Belina, president of the Coalition of Associations in Healthcare, and he will be joined by Željka Martinović from the Croatian Public Relations Association, Sani Pogorilić from the Innovative Pharmaceutical Initiative, Vesna Štefančić Martić from the Croatian Medical Chamber, Irena Orlović from the publishing house HARFA, editor-in-chief of the magazine Doctor at Home Suzana Ciboci Stunja, Ljiljana Vukota from the Association of Women Affected by Cancer ALL for HER, Tena Niseteo from Food Definition, and Nina Išek Međugorac, director of the HealthComm Forum conference.

The goal of the HealthComm Awards is to highlight and promote values that are prerequisites for modern and sustainable healthcare, such as scientific and technological achievements, innovations and new solutions to problems, initiatives that restore trust in science and the system, a patient-centered approach in prevention and treatment, pushing the boundaries in healthcare delivery, mutual cooperation to achieve common goals, open communication, and – above all – doing good. Only such a healthcare system, which preserves health and saves lives, can earn the trust of citizens.

– In a period where the average rating of healthcare has fallen to a very low 2.7, where only 13 percent of citizens rate Croatian healthcare as very good, almost no one as excellent, and only one in six citizens believes that the healthcare system is patient-centered, it is time to reassess established practices and the ailments of the healthcare system and clearly show what we stand for. That is why, within the HealthComm Forum, we want to highlight and reward bright examples in healthcare that not only positively influence the return of citizens’ trust in the system but also motivate all other important stakeholders to direct efforts towards a more modern and sustainable healthcare – stated Ivica Belina, president of the HealthComm Awards jury and president of the Coalition of Associations in Healthcare.

That citizens are disappointed with the state of healthcare in Croatia and feel a strong need for positive changes is confirmed by the fact that in a recently conducted HealthComm Forum survey, they expressed that health is a matter of vital interest and that a large majority (as many as 88 percent) will give their vote to politicians and parties that will address healthcare issues before the elections. When citizens were asked what their most important individual health issue is, as many as 56 percent highlighted the elimination or shortening of waiting lists for diagnosis and treatment, especially for oncological diseases. These, as well as many other survey results, indicate the need to initiate important changes in the sector, which undoubtedly can be contributed to by inspiring projects that are increasingly emerging in Croatia, despite the alarming state.

All pressing issues and the necessity of a new social contract in healthcare will be discussed on June 6 and 7 at the Zagreb Fair during the regional HealthComm Forum conference, which this year will be held in partnership with the Kingdom of Denmark – a country with one of the most successful and efficient healthcare systems in Europe. The conference will once again bring together representatives from the public and private healthcare sectors, national and local authorities, the pharmaceutical industry, non-governmental organizations, media, and other relevant organizations. Confirmed keynote speakers for the HealthComm Forum 2024 conference are Dr. Laura Cooley, editor-in-chief of The Journal of Patient Experience (USA), Dr. Ksenija Kos, chief neurologist at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis (USA), and Jan Beger, director at Digital Ecosystem EMEA, GE HealthCare (Germany).

They all share a common goal of returning the focus to patients, with Dr. Laura Cooley, as a professional driven by a clear mission, striving to create value through improving communication and patient experience in various healthcare contexts. Dr. Ksenija Kos envisions a future where medical knowledge flows freely across borders, enriching medical practice and improving patient care on a global scale, while Jan Berger, senior director for the digital ecosystem at GE Healthcare EMEA and head of the Edison Accelerator at GE Healthcare, is not only a visionary with 15 years of experience but has significantly contributed to improving patient experiences by optimizing the architecture of clinical solutions and workflows.

More information is available on the official conference website.