From Antonio Navarro. President of Funditec.
The National Health System (SNS) has 449 public hospitals and, in addition, 411 private hospitals. A high percentage of hospital innovation develops in the main public hospitals of the country, with Catalonia being one of the most relevant communities in the contribution. of innovation, understood as the ability to generate and implement the knowledge that develops in hospitals. It is important to highlight that it is essential to promote innovation to transfer it efficiently and productively using the technological poles as a lever and thus transfer it to the production system, i.e. a technological transfer that will bring exponential benefits to the economy with high added value and socio-health impact .
Evaluation agents are essential for this purpose, since innovation in this area ranges from the search for new drugs and solutions, to management processes and, of course, to the hospital organization itself. Spain has great growth potential in this field and, although many initiatives reach a high level of excellence, not all of them manage to reach the market, especially regarding those related to research and other issues such as management or organization hospital. There are organizational shortcomings, due to the lack of central coordination where the transfer of skills has meant, from my point of view, a significant loss in the transfer of knowledge in an organized and orderly manner. Spain has one of the highest rates in the European hospital satisfaction ranking and globally we are among the top 10 countries.
It is important to coordinate health research and innovation at a national level and reduce pharmaceutical dependency. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted shortcomings and there is no doubt that the Spanish healthcare system faces major challenges.
We currently find differences between autonomous communities, taking into account life expectancy. On the other hand, the aging of the population is increasing exponentially, a fact that leads to the increase in chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases, the latter with a socio-economic impact that is starting to cause concern . to mention the most significant and most frequently occurring ones. This is leading to an increase in pharmaceutical spending and hospital costs are becoming unsustainable.
New threats
According to Domingo Gargallo Viola, president of the Spanish Association for the discovery of new antibiotics, external environmental factors, including climate change, and the risk of losing the ability to protect ourselves from infectious diseases, due to antimicrobial resistance, are also influencing exposing us to new risks and threats, on which the pharmaceutical industry is not betting as it should.
I conclude that Spain must increase its investments in research, technology and innovation to develop solutions that allow us to overcome these challenges. The goal is to find new ways to keep people healthy, prevent disease, develop better diagnostics and more effective therapies, use personalized medicine approaches to improve healthcare and well-being, and adopt innovative health technologies, such as digital. Health research and innovation is about working together at a national level, sharing knowledge and resources and jointly improving our health and care systems across the board and without political barriers, paying particular attention to public-private collaboration.
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Antonio Navarro, President of Funditec, and thank you for joining us today. Your insights into the innovation landscape of Spain’s National Health System provide great context. Let’s dive into it. You mentioned the striking number of hospitals in Spain, both public and private. How does this dynamic contribute to innovation in healthcare?
Antonio Navarro: Thank you for having me! The sheer number of hospitals—449 public and 411 private—creates a unique environment for healthcare innovation. A significant portion of this innovation originates from our main public hospitals, particularly in Catalonia. These institutions are at the forefront of developing new knowledge and practices. However, the real challenge is not just generating this innovation but efficiently transferring and implementing it across the healthcare system.
Time.news Editor: That’s an interesting take on innovation transfer. You mentioned the importance of technological poles. Can you elaborate on what those are and how they function as levers for transferring knowledge to the production system?
Antonio Navarro: Absolutely! Technological poles are collaborative hubs that bring together various stakeholders, including hospitals, research institutions, and industries. They serve as platforms where innovative solutions—whether they are new drugs or improved management processes—can be developed and then scaled. By fostering collaboration and communication among these entities, we can significantly enhance our ability to translate cutting-edge research into practical applications that yield both economic benefits and improved health outcomes.
Time.news Editor: That sounds promising, but you also pointed out some challenges. What are the main barriers to achieving this efficient transfer of knowledge in Spain’s healthcare system?
Antonio Navarro: One major barrier is the lack of central coordination. While we have many initiatives reaching excellence, there’s often fragmentation in how they operate. This disorganization can lead to missed opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing, which, in turn, results in a failure to exploit the full potential of innovations. Moreover, there’s a need to reduce our dependency on pharmaceuticals and strengthen our own research capabilities.
Time.news Editor: It’s clear that a coordinated effort is needed. You also noted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the healthcare system’s challenges. In your opinion, what lasting changes should the system adopt in response to the lessons learned from the pandemic?
Antonio Navarro: The pandemic highlighted several weaknesses, from supply chain vulnerabilities to inequities in healthcare access. Now more than ever, it is crucial for Spain to enhance its investment in healthcare research and innovation at the national level. This means prioritizing not only the technological advancements but also the organizational structures that support a more integrated healthcare delivery system. We must be proactive rather than reactive in our approach to public health.
Time.news Editor: With the aging population and the rise of chronic diseases, like cancer and diabetes, what proactive measures can the healthcare system take to address these projected needs?
Antonio Navarro: Addressing chronic diseases requires a multifaceted approach. We need to invest more in preventive care and public health education to help mitigate the rise of these conditions. Additionally, integrating technology—such as telemedicine and data analytics—into patient care can greatly improve management strategies for chronic illnesses. It’s about creating a more responsive healthcare system that prioritizes long-term health outcomes rather than just immediate fixes.
Time.news Editor: It’s clear that there’s a lot at stake, and your vision for a more integrated and innovative health system is compelling. As we wrap up, what message would you like to leave our readers about the future of Spain’s healthcare innovation?
Antonio Navarro: The future of Spain’s healthcare system is bright, but it requires commitment and collaboration among all stakeholders. By fostering a culture of innovation, investing in research, and ensuring the proper organizational frameworks are in place, we can dramatically improve not only the efficiency of our healthcare system but also the quality of life for our citizens. Together, we can pave the way for a health system that not only meets today’s needs but is also prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Antonio, for your valuable insights. It’s an exciting time for healthcare in Spain, and we appreciate your dedication to pushing for innovation and improvement in the system.