25 January 2011, Sofitel Europe Brussels

Interactive conference and exhibition

Neelie Kroes, Digital Agenda Commissioner to participate in ETNO Innovation Day on eHealth

Brussels - About 150 representatives from authorities, medical organisations, patients and businesses are joining the ETNO Innovation Day on eHealth in Brussels on 25 January to discuss remaining obstacles to take up of e-health applications throughout the EU.

“E-health applications can considerably improve accessibility and efficiency of healthcare but also improve the life of people suffering from chronic diseases, such as diabetes or cardio-vascular diseases. Through its Innovation Day, ETNO aims to show concrete examples of services that are already available on the market and at the same time facilitate a dialogue between all stakeholders involved, and to work closely with Commissioner Kroes in order to contribute to accelerate the take-up of e-health applications at European level”, says Luigi Gambardella, newly elected ETNO Executive Board Chair.

ETNO member companies, including Belgacom, Deutsche Telekom, KPN, Orange, Portugal Telecom, Telecom Italia and Telefonica, will give an interactive demonstration of services in areas such as distance diagnosis and monitoring solutions for people suffering from chronic diseases.

How to accelerate the take up of e-health applications by patients and medical community will the main theme of a debate to be moderated by Constantijn Van Oranje, member of Vice President Kroes’ Cabinet, with doctors, regional authorities and operators.

Panellists will include: Dr Jose Luis Monteagudo, from Institute of Health Carlos III in Madrid;  Dr Eric Sijbrands, professor at the Erasmus MC in Rotterdam; and the Trento region, one of the European best practices, for the launch of its e-health project which allows electronic medical records to be accessible online by all Trento citizens.

Gabriele Galateri, Telecom Italia Chairman, will close the event.

Programme of the Day:

13.00             Opening of Exhibition

14.30              Start of Innovation Day seminar (Room Paul Henri Spaak I, II, III)

                       Welcome by Michael Bartholomew, ETNO Director

Introduction by Luigi Gambardella, ETNO Executive Board Chair

Keynote address: Commissioner Kroes

14.50                                    Demonstration of ETNO members’ services including Belgacom, Deutsche Telekom, KPN, Orange, Portugal Telecom, Telecom Italia and Telefonica with a testimonial from doctors and involved partners

16.00                                    Debate: How to ensure a better integration of ICT-enabled solutions by medical community and users? Debate moderated by Constantijn van Oranje, Commissioner Kroes Cabinet member

17.00               Keynote: Gabriele Galateri, Telecom Italia Chairman

17.10-18.30   Visit of the exhibition & networking (Lobby 1st floor)

The Innovation Day will also host an interactive exhibition area where ETNO members will demonstrate e-health services including:

Belgacom’s Heart Failure project

Deutsche Telekom’s tenant portal service portal for people with disabilities

KPN’s diabeticStation

Orange’s medication reminder solution

Portugal Telecom’s Girassol mobile broadband special project for disabled people

Telecom Italia’s MyDoctor@home service

Telefonica’s SARA solution for distance monitoring of chronic diseases patients

Media representatives are most welcome to attend the Innovation Day. For more information about the programme or to register, please consult: http://www.etno.be/Default.aspx?tabid=2283 or contact Thierry Dieu, ETNO Communications Manager Tel:    (32-2) 219 32 42 Fax:  (32-2) 219 64 12 E-mail: dieu@etno.be