I would like to start by welcoming you, our Healthcare DENMARK Ambassadors to Denmark and to the first Healthcare DENMARK Ambassador summit.  During the summit you have been introduced to the Danish healthcare system and have learnt about and discussed some of the initiatives and solutions that are essential to the transformation of Danish Healthcare. 

As patron of Healthcare DENMARK I would like to thank you for your interest in obtaining a better understanding of Danish Healthcare.  Hopefully, the summit has proved informative and inspiring, and you will have much to share on your return to your countries.

Danish solutions are not just for Danes. Over the course of many years, our global presence has shown us that our healthcare technology and solutions are internationally both relevant and value generating.

Danish ideas and products are used every day; in ambulances, general practice and hospitals all over the world. We have many solutions, but not them all – by any stretch of the imagination. Therefore, it is important that we share our knowledge and experience and learn from other healthcare innovators at the same time.

In Denmark, the public-private cooperation founded on Healthcare DENMARK is precisely what the name suggests: a way of cooperating for the common good.

Healthcare DENMARK is a common platform created to establish a coherent and comprehensive account of Danish competences within healthcare. Its objective is to put key Danish players in the healthcare sector in contact with their international colleagues.

I accepted to become patron of Healthcare DENMARK because;

• I strongly believe that Denmark can contribute positively to the global healthcare challenges of our time.
• it is important that we share our knowledge, knowhow and competences globally
• it will be to the benefit of hospitals and patients worldwide.

Healthcare systems vary a lot between countries and regions, but we are facing many of the same health care challenges, such as an aging population. These challenges call for a new way of thinking, new collaborations and an increased sharing of knowledge and experience – and that is exactly what you ambassadors have been doing here today.

Even though the German health care system is very different from the Danish public healthcare system, German healthcare actors are very interested in some of the Danish achievements. They want to get a better understanding of how Danish achievements in e-health and healthcare transformation can contribute to further progress in Germany. And the Danish actors see this dialogue as an opportunity for cooperation on Germany’s strength in healthcare research and -technology.

Now, Denmark and United Kingdom are countries with quite similar healthcare systems and with quite similar national healthcare initiatives. And this provides a solid platform to increase the exchange of experience and cooperation between our two countries.

Four years ago, the USA ratified the Affordable Care Act. This Act aims to improve access to healthcare for U.S. citizens and at the same time make healthcare more affordable. The USA has previously been inspired by the Danish approach to healthcare, and Danish authorities have found inspiration from U.S. organizations, such as the Kaiser Permanente and Mayo Clinic.

As the USA continues the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, there is an opportunity to continue the exchange of experiences and knowhow between the USA and Denmark. Again, despite the differences in our healthcare systems.

Being a Healthcare DENMARK Ambassador is an opportunity to participate in the sharing of knowledge, experience and best practices internationally. It is an opportunity to exchange new innovations and concepts between Denmark and your countries, all with the aim of contributing to positive progress both in your countries and in Denmark.

I hope that your visit to Denmark will see you return home with new inspiration, ideas and a broader network.  And I’m confident that your roles as Healthcare DENMARK Ambassadors will continue to provide much ‘food for thought’ in the years to come.

Thank you.