Recently, the Vitaal Twente (“Vital Twente”) healthcare initiative, launched by the Menzis health insurer and the municipalities of the Twente region, was granted a subsidy from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS).
The funds are a contribution towards the costs of the collaboration aimed at improving the health of more vulnerable citizens.
The Ministry of VWS wants to encourage collaboration between healthcare insurers and municipalities working together on improving the health of vulnerable citizens. Particular attention is paid to prevention: the first so-called Prevention Coalitions have now been established. One of the initiatives to receive a subsidy from VWS is ‘Vitaal Twente,’ a foundation facilitating cooperation between the Menzis health insurance company, the 14 Twente municipalities, the University of Twenty (UT), Saxion, ROC van Twente (Twente Regional Training Centre), GGD Twente (Twente Regional Health Service), Roesingh Research & Development, and Carint Reggeland.
The UT’s role
Together with these partners, the UT is investigating and developing innovative technological solutions that will contribute to the vitality of the citizens of the Twente region, actively forge connections between the UT’s educational activities and its various stakeholders, and develop and implement new healthcare and technology business models.
Vulnerable groups and their vitality
Vitaal Twente is working to improve the vitality of vulnerable groups which is most threatened by health risks, such as children struggling with obesity and senior citizens. The initiative will initially focus on this latter group: Vitaal Twente is supporting the elderly in gaining more control over their own vitality, using innovations supported by technology.
Twente, most vital region of the Netherlands
In 2016, the collaboration partners pledged to make Twente the most vital region in the Netherlands. The partners are rolling out vitality initiatives under the umbrella of the Vitaal Twente Foundation. Regional (technology) companies, organisations and private citizens are closely involved in all these initiatives.
Neighbourhood Focus Oss
Another initiative to receive a government subsidy was the ‘Wijkgerichte Aanpak Oss’ (“Neighbourhood Focus Oss”) programme that was submitted by the health insurers VGZ and CZ and the Oss municipality. This initiative aims to support residents of the Ruwaard neighbourhood in Oss in improving their health at lower costs. The residents are actively involved in their own living environment and personal responsibility. Vitaal Twente and Wijkgerichte Aanpak Oss are the first initiatives in the Netherlands to receive this subsidy.
