Celebrating 65 Years: COCIR's Vision for a Resilient and Innovative European Healthcare System

COCIR, the European trade association for the radiological, electromedical, and healthcare IT industry, proudly marked its 65th anniversary yesterday. The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and healthcare professionals to reflect on the association’s significant achievements and discuss the future of healthcare in Europe.

During the event, COCIR President Jan-Willem Scheijgrond shared COCIR’s vision for the future, stating “Our commitment to safe and innovative healthcare solutions is unwavering. We must work together to create a supportive regulatory framework that fosters innovation while ensuring patient safety and data security.”

The anniversary event also served as a platform to unveil COCIR’s five key priorities for the upcoming mandate:

1. Keep the European Union attractive to innovation.
2. Support a fit-for-purpose legal and policy environment.
3. Recognize the medical technology sector as critical for healthy populations.
4. Support the competitiveness of the medical technology sector.
5. Lead action against noncommunicable diseases.

Since its founding in 1959, COCIR has grown into a powerful network of more than 10 trade associations, together representing over 2000 companies, dedicated to advancing medical technology. Yesterday’s celebrations highlighted groundbreaking innovations in the field. 

Speakers underscored the importance of moving forward with a comprehensive EU Life Sciences Strategy that focuses on the entire care pathway, including prevention and diagnosis. This is essential for Europe to regain its position as a global leader and ensure the advancement of medical technologies.

MEP Stine Bosse highlighted the importance of a robust European Health Union, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. She stated, “We must prioritise innovation in our healthcare systems to ensure that Europe remains a global leader in innovative medical technology and explore pathways for safe AI application. Being prepared for potential health crises requires resilient supply chains and ensuring availability of medical counter measures.”

MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis focused on the crucial impact of medical technologies and the need to harness digital health solutions to improve the lives of patients, adding “Europe should take the opportunity to tackle cardiovascular diseases, a silent killer, and we are all here to step up our work on preventive health”.

 
Professor Annemiek Snoeckx of the European Society of Radiology emphasized that “by investing in sustainable practices and enhancing digital infrastructure we can build a healthcare system that not only supports high-quality, accessible diagnostics but also reduces environmental impact, creating lasting benefits for patients, healthcare professionals, and our planet”.

Irene Norstedt, Director for “People: Health & Society” at DG Research and Innovation of the European Commission and the Chair of the IHI JU Governing Board, said: “I count on the continued commitment of COCIR members to IHI JU, to ensure that the life science sector in Europe remains at the cutting edge of R&I and translates innovations into real benefits for patients and society in areas of unmet needs“.

As we celebrate our past, we look forward to a future where medical technologies continue to improve lives across Europe. Our collaborative efforts will pave the way for a healthier society. 

Source & Image Credit: COCIR