Health Hub Global Policy Network // (ENG)

The annual conference of the Croatian Employers’ Association in Healthcare (UPUZ), held once again in Opatija, gathered a group of high-profile global executives from the world’s leading innovative pharmaceutical companies. The panel “Healthcare Systems Through the Eyes of Global Leaders” brought together Francis Lepoutre (Roche), Schalk Opperman (Merck), Robin Duurland (J&J Innovative Medicine), Mariko Shimizu (Novo Nordisk), and Sandra Velasco (Novartis) — each bringing a unique perspective shaped by careers across continents, diverse health systems, and decades of leadership experience. Panel was moderated by Anita Bujanić, Founder and CEO of Health Hub, first regional think tank for healthcare.

HEALTH HUB closely followed the latest edition of the European Health Forum Gastein 2025 (EHFG 2025), held from 30 September to 3 October. This year’s central theme, “Rethinking solidarity in health: Healing Europe’s fractured social contract,” invited European policymakers, experts, and civil society to deeply reflect on one of the fundamental questions of our time:Has solidarity survived in the health sector – and how can it once again become a cornerstone of social cohesion, trust, and fairness among citizens and institutions

EU4MEDTECH is an ambitious Horizon Europe initiative aimed at revolutionizing the evaluation and regulation of innovative medical devices and in vitro diagnostic tools across Europe. The project introduces the EU4MEDTECH Framework, a comprehensive and lifecycle-oriented approach that supports the generation, evaluation, and validation of clinical and performance evidence for high-risk medical devices and software. With a consortium of 14 international partners and a project duration of 48 months, EU4MEDTECH is committed to strengthening the EU’s regulatory framework to ensure patient safety and facilitate innovation in the health technology sector

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing of the University of Zagreb (FER) hosted the highly significant Policy & Science Forum, organized by Health Hub with the partnership support of IEEE Croatia Section, FER, and HL7. The event brought together local and European experts, representatives of the healthcare industry, healthcare professionals, and policymakers in the field of health data. The event was given particular weight by the participation of Professor Dipak Kalra, President of the European Institute for Innovation through Health Data (i~HD) and one of the most influential international experts in the field of electronic health record interoperability and

The digital transformation of healthcare in Europe is based on the efficient collection, exchange, and use of health data. Health Data represents a key resource for improving healthcare services, accelerating innovation, and strengthening Europe’s competitiveness on a global scale. The goal of the Forum is to bring together leading scientists, healthcare professionals, representatives of European institutions, and industry to discuss: The potential of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) for translation of innovations and research, The integration of artificial intelligence and digital tools into public health systems, Governance and ethics of health data as a prerequisite for citizens’ trust and

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, affects countless children worldwide, disrupting sleep, nutrition, and overall well-being. Managing GERD in pediatric patients extends beyond medication - it's a multifaceted challenge involving healthcare policies, accessibility, education, and long-term support. First International Conference on Modern Approaches to GERD Treatment in Pediatric Patients „REINVENTING PEDIATRIC GERD CARE“ delved into the complexities of pediatric GERD care, posing critical questions: What barriers exist in current healthcare systems, from access to unmet needs? How can we enhance treatment outcomes and improve adherence of pediatric patients? What can we do to accelerate access of value added medicines and implement