Poland Turns into Digital Health Trailblazer
By the EMIS Insights Editorial Team
Over the past decade, Poland has evolved into one of the European Union's leaders in digital health, implementing a centralized, nationwide system that facilitates access to electronic health records and telemedicine services. The healthtech sector, which attracted a total of EUR 168mn in venture capital investments in 2019-2023, plays a pivotal role in the digitalization process and is expected to remain attractive to investors, while at the same time counting on solid government support.
The crucial role of innovations in solving the existing shortages in a sector as important as healthcare is underlined by the fact that the first Polish startup to reach unicorn status, back in 2021, was DocPlanner, a SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions provider for doctors and clinics. Notably, in their 2023 Polish Venture Capital Market Outlook, published in January 2024, the Polish investment funds PFR Ventures and Inovo.vc outline that since 2020 the main areas of venture capital (VC) investments in Poland have been healthtech solutions.
The main sources of funding for healthtech startups in Poland include foreign venture capital (VCs), private investors, domestic VCs, grants from European funds, and grants from national funds. According to the 2023 issue of the Top Disruptors in Healthcare survey by AI in Health Coalition, foreign VCs were the most sought-after by Polish healthtechs in 2023, with 75% of surveyed startups expressing interest, indicating a growing reliance on overseas investors for capital and strategic support. Private investors have also become increasingly important, with 71% of startups considering them as a funding source. Additionally, grants from European and national funds play a significant role, with 62% and 45% of startups, respectively, expressing the need for such financial assistance, marking a notable increase from the 2022 edition of the report.
Poland's legal framework for telemedicine has evolved significantly. The foundation of telemedicine services is rooted in the Medical Activity Act (MAA) which defines medical activities as healthcare services deliverable through IT or communication systems. The MAA, along with legislation governing medical professions, constitutes the primary legal basis for telemedicine in Poland. Additionally, the MAA laid the groundwork for Poland's broader digital transformation in healthcare by establishing a nationwide electronic health services platform.
Central to this transformation is the Electronic Platform for Collection, Analysis, and Sharing of Digital Medical Records, designed to enhance patient care by improving the quality and accessibility of health information. This platform, through digital services like e-prescriptions, e-referrals, and electronic medical records, has significantly improved the management and coordination of healthcare. The adoption of telemedicine services in Poland has thus seen substantial growth.
Further steps by the Polish government to digitize healthcare services included the implementation of the Patient Internet Account system, launched in 2018. This platform enables patients to access their medical records, prescriptions, referrals, and other health-related information online, facilitating better communication between patients and healthcare providers. The adoption of the system was swift, with 1 million accounts established by the end of 2019, growing to 17.92 million users by January 2024.
To further improve accessibility, the Polish government has prepared a roadmap for eHealth development covering the period 2023 to 2027. A key measure in this strategy is the creation of new e-health systems to support various aspects of healthcare, including the e-Blood system for managing blood donations and the e-Transplant system to streamline organ transplantation processes. Additionally, plans are underway to develop systems for rare disease diagnosis and treatment, as well as for collecting and analyzing genetic data. This data will be integrated with existing health information to enhance medical research and treatment outcomes.
As Poland continues to advance its digital health agenda, the focus on integrating emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning, alongside a commitment to enhancing the digital competence of healthcare professionals and patients, will be crucial. The government’s strategic roadmap, supported by substantial funding from both national and European sources, underscores the importance of ongoing collaboration with the private sector and the broader healthtech ecosystem. This forward-thinking approach aims to ensure that Poland meets its ambitious goal of providing universal access to electronic health records by 2030, in line with the EU's Digital Compass.
However, the challenges ahead are not insignificant. Poland must address gaps in data accessibility and ensure the full integration of all health data categories to maximize the benefits of its digital health initiatives. Additionally, sustaining the momentum in healthtech innovation and attracting diverse investment sources will be essential for maintaining Poland’s leadership in this field.