Healthy and resilient populations are essential for strong economies
In her opinion piece for the Slovenia Times, Eva McLellan, vice president of AmCham Slovenia and managing director of Roche Slovenia, calls for healthcare to be recognized as a strategic investment in Europe's sustainable future-one that benefits all demographics, from women to the elderly.
On any given day, 56,128 Slovenians are absent from work due to illness-more than the workforce of the country's ten largest companies combined. Since 2012, this number has surged, with the average employee missing 21 workdays in 2022 due to health issues.* This isn't just a consequence of an aging population-it's proof that we are not moving toward a healthier society or a stronger economy.
Healthcare Is an Investment, Not a Cost
Smart, data-driven policymaking is the key to reversing this trend. Slovenia is one of the few EU countries with a strategy and legislation on quality and safety in healthcare-the foundations for evidence-based decision-making are in place. Across Europe, reforms are shifting the focus from managing dwindling resources to tackling the burden of disease and aging populations. Now is the time for bold, strategic investments in health that drive long-term impact.
Innovation in healthcare offers a broader societal value that goes far beyond the immediate use of medicines and their direct impact on patients. By creating a model that supports smart investment in health and highlighting the wider societal benefits of innovation, we can support healthy people and a strong economy. This approach not only has a direct impact on individuals, but also drives healthy economic development and provides significant benefits to society as a whole.
Data Is Not a Goal: It Is Merely a Tool to Achieve Better Outcomes
Data isn't the goal-it's a tool for better outcomes. Yet, Europe's healthcare system faces challenges: fragmented data, lack of common standards, and security concerns. Breaking these barriers is essential for real-time, patient-driven insights that shape better treatments. That's why we at Roche are partners in EU Project Improve, a digital healthcare initiative using patient-generated health data to refine treatments and solutions.
With the right data, used in the right way, we can deliver patient-centered, cost-effective treatments faster. Data saves lives-but only if we create an ecosystem, where government, businesses, academia, and experts work together.
Leadership Is Essential
The future of healthcare demands integrated leadership-system leaders with a bias for action, who anticipate challenges, bridge silos, and navigate complexity with decisiveness, empathy, and a deep commitment to humanity. Change doesn't happen in isolation. It requires cross-sector collaboration, where every stakeholder brings valuable insights and expertise.
At Roche, we believe in the power of public-private partnerships. As thought partners and conveners of talent and resources, we are committed to working together to make healthcare smarter, more accessible, and truly transformative.
The opportunity is here. Let's invest in health-not just for today, but for generations to come.
Slovenia: A Blueprint for Larger Countries
The healthcare sector is on the brink of a transformational breakthrough powered by data and AI, and Slovenia is well-positioned to lead this change. To address this trend, we need data-driven policy-making. The country is already a leader in cancer screening, with one of the lowest cervical cancer burdens in Europe-thanks to highly effective prevention programs.** This is proof that size does not define excellence.
As one of the few EU countries with passed strategy and prepared legislation on quality and safety in healthcare, Slovenia has taken the next step in putting the foundations for evidence-based decision-making. Across Europe, reforms are underway to tackle the growing burden of disease and aging populations-not by merely stretching resources, but by investing wisely and proactively in health.
But progress won't happen on its own. To move forward, we must embrace digital transformation, create policies that outlast political cycles, and drive meaningful, long-term change. The goal? Improving patient outcomes for diseases with the highest societal burden, making care more accessible, and a bold approach to healthcare innovation in Europe. Now is the time to act collaboratively and decisively.
*Zdravstveni statistični letopis slovenije 2022/Health Statistical Yearbook of Slovenia 2022, link: https://nijz.si/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2.6_Bolninska_odsotnost_2022_Z.pdf
