BELGIUM Trends and Developments Contributed by: Thibaut D’hulst, Ilham Irgiou and Ossama M’Rini, Van Bael & Bellis
AI and personalised medicine The integration of AI into healthcare will also shape the future of digital health in Belgium. While Belgian companies and hospitals are actively developing and deploying AI-driven solutions, the establishment of a comprehensive national data and AI strategy specifically for the public health sector is an ongoing commitment for the Belgian federal government, as per the Coalition Agreement. The aim is to leverage AI for administrative simplification and care improve- ment, with an important emphasis on ensuring cybersecurity and ethical oversight. The new EU AI Act will significantly influence this, imposing stringent requirements on high-risk AI applica- tions in healthcare. Belgian companies are actively developing AI- driven solutions for personalised medicine, particularly in oncology and infectious diseas- es, promising improved patient outcomes and more efficient use of healthcare resources. For example, a Leuven-based company has devised AI algorithms for analysing brain scans, aiding neurological disorder diagnosis and monitor- ing. Hospitals like AZ Delta are being recog- nised for their innovative use of AI, and others, such as AZ West, are employing AI-equipped video capsules for digestive examinations. AI is also being developed for rapid diagnostic tests, for instance, to detect urinary infections more quickly. As digital health solutions become more user- centric, patient engagement is expected to increase, leading to better health outcomes and a more sustainable healthcare system. Digital tools, such as patient portals, mobile health apps, and online communities, enable patients to take a more active role in managing their health and well-being. Initiatives like “C’est quoi, Doc?” aim to create accessible medical literacy
lenges. An example is HeDERA or at a more local level, the Antwerp Health Harbour initiative (AHHI), whose partners aim to share data, net- works, and applications and to develop innova- tive health projects such as an integrated medi- cal and socio-economic data platform. Advancing Patient-Centric Care: Empowerment, Remote Technologies, and Personalised Medicine Enhancing patient control and engagement The digital healthcare revolution in Belgium continues to enhance patient empowerment. The introduction and expansion of telemedicine platforms, remote monitoring devices and wear- able technologies have given patients greater control over their health information, allowing them to actively participate in their care journey. These tools enable remote access to healthcare services, monitor health metrics in real-time, and engage more effectively with healthcare providers. The Coalition Agreement supports the development of digital skills for citizens and psychosocial support to help them manage the influx of health data, further promoting patient empowerment. Belgian startups remain at the forefront of this movement, developing innovative solutions for remote patient monitoring and disease manage- ment. For instance, smartphone apps employing photoplethysmography to detect atrial fibrillation have received CE marking and are now used by patients and healthcare providers nationwide. Similarly, wearable platforms capturing a wide array of physiological parameters continue to be tested in clinical trials and real-world settings, demonstrating the impact of continuous moni- toring on patient outcomes.
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