Denmark and the Netherlands have entered into a collaborative health alliance aimed at creating sustainable health policies. Initiated by the Embassy of Denmark in the Netherlands, this alliance seeks to unite healthcare stakeholders, enhance patient outcomes, and generate long-term socio-economic benefits, reports 24brussels.
The inaugural priorities of the Dutch-Danish Health Alliance focus on managing chronic diseases, fostering innovation, and crafting a coherent life sciences strategy. Among the first members to join this initiative are prominent Danish companies such as ALK Abelló, Coloplast, and Novo Nordisk, which have established a presence in the Netherlands.
“Denmark has previously formed health alliances in other nations, including the French-Danish Health Alliance and a new partnership in Germany. Establishing the Dutch-Danish Health Alliance is a logical extension of this model, driven by a desire for collaborative efforts,” stated Simone van de Weijer, health and life sciences advisor at the Danish Embassy in the Netherlands.
This alliance aims to confront pressing healthcare challenges in both nations, including enhancing care for patients with chronic conditions, mitigating indirect workplace costs arising from absenteeism and productivity loss, and deploying scalable innovations to alleviate the burden on healthcare professionals.
Building healthcare bridges
The ongoing geopolitical turbulence underscores the growing necessity for multi-bilateral collaborations within Europe, according to Nico van Meeteren, Director at Top Sector Life Sciences (Health~Holland).
The alliance emphasizes the similarities between the healthcare systems of both countries, both of which rank highly in Europe for care quality, research, and clinical trials, while both are adopting preventive and integrated care models.
However, the alliance also highlights significant differences, particularly in funding structures. Denmark operates a tax-funded system with predominantly public healthcare delivery, organized by regional authorities, while the Netherlands employs a regulated market model requiring citizens to acquire personal health insurance.
“For the Netherlands, this alliance provides insights into how public-private partnerships can enhance a more effective healthcare system. The Danish model was seen as enlightening, or even a culture shock, by those present at the launch,” Van de Weijer noted.
Van Meeteren argues that the alliance presents the Netherlands with vital advantages, such as accelerating the research-to-market transition, presenting a unified stance in global health innovation discussions, and facilitating smoother access to each other’s healthcare systems.
While recognizing mutual best practices, Van Meeteren stressed that the Dutch-Danish alliance facilitates the development of innovative approaches that neither country could achieve individually.
“Ultimately, this alliance strengthens our competitiveness, enhances patient outcomes, and helps tackle societal challenges,” he added.
2026 roadmap in the works
The alliance aspires to function as “an emerging think tank” and a collaborative partner for stakeholders from both Denmark and the Netherlands, with plans for seminars and delegation visits anticipated in the future.
“By integrating the strengths of the Dutch and Danish healthcare ecosystems, this alliance seeks to improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery,” the alliance stated. It also aims to bring additional stakeholders from both the public and private sectors on board for discussions on relevant topics. Several Dutch organizations and government bodies have expressed interest in joining the alliance.
Van de Weijer is currently outlining a roadmap for 2026, designed to help the alliance develop impactful policies and drive industry advancements. From the Dutch perspective, Van Meeteren communicated that the Netherlands is ready to embrace an open mindset towards public-private partnerships and is keen to foster international collaborations.
“Denmark has considerable experience in chronic care management policy, intergovernmental coordination, and developing a national Life Science strategy,” remarked Ulf Melgaard, Ambassador of Denmark to the Netherlands. “Simultaneously, we are eager to learn from the strengths of the Dutch system, particularly in health innovation, integrated care, and evidence-based policymaking.”
[Edited by Vasiliki Angouridi, Brian Maguire]
