The philosophy underpinning the Dutch healthcare system is based on several universal principles. These include access to care for all, solidarity through medical insurance, and high-quality healthcare services.
The Dutch healthcare sector is known for having high standards, good facilities, and being available to all through a universal healthcare program delivered by private providers. As an innovator, the Netherlands, based on the knowledge and expertise of Dutch institutes, contributes to supporting the creation and implementation of World Health Organization (WHO) strategies and guidelines, such as monitoring and surveillance. In addition, the Netherlands is internationally known in the field of digitalization, innovation, and making healthcare more sustainable, by providing innovative health technology solutions that support value-based care across the healthcare sector.
The Netherlands is well-placed to contribute to the global healthcare sector. In line with the Dutch Global Health Strategy for 2023-2030, NLWorks aims to improve access to good healthcare and medicines. Within the NLWorks portfolio, several initiatives focus on rural development and improving the healthcare system. In Colombia, in the Amazon area, a private-public partnership explored how to improve access to healthcare and medicines, using a small hospital ship that provides medical and dental care. In Kenya, a private-public partnership developed access to a primary healthcare concept by establishing healthcare community centers in rural areas.
If you want to read more about Dutch healthcare and its global strategy, we recommend reading these publications and background information.
Completed programmes
Image: © NLWorks
Ukraine
Since February 2022, Ukraine has been in distress because of the war with Russia. With this ongoing war, the country is unsafe for its people. Several countries in Europe have taken in Ukrainian refugees, including the Netherlands. We aim to support Ukraine in several possible ways, including with military aid and reconstruction, as well as in the area of medical aid by providing medicines and relief supplies.
Image: © NLWorks
Colombia
Rural development and improvement of healthcare for the rural population is a global challenge that can be tackled by the overall strategy of Healthy Villages. Access to healthcare depends greatly on the presence of clinics, hospitals, doctors and pharmaceuticals. But it also depends on awareness and education about care. Healthy Villages has started taking action in the Amazon of Colombia. These efforts are now bearing fruit. In the video we explain how we tackle the health care problems of the Amazon.
Image: © NLWorks
Kenya
Quality, readily accessible health care is becoming an ever greater priority to governments the world over. The Kenyan government wants every Kenyan citizen to have access to affordable health care by 2030.