Symposium: Let’s talk about sustainability!
Making healthcare more sustainable is not just about going green. When it comes to making healthcare more sustainable, we are of course talking about reducing emissions, waste and water consumption, but also about fair working conditions, human rights, health promotion, equal access, financial sustainability and resilient healthcare systems. If we want to make healthcare more sustainable, all partners in the system must understand one another and speak the same language. Furthermore, we want to agree on the key goals and ambitions. In this way, we can work together to create future-proof healthcare.
Symposium details
Date: 23 April, 2026
Time: 13:45 – 16:30
Location: Erasmus Pavilion, Campus Woudestein, Erasmus University Rotterdam
Register here.
Under the banner of the Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience (PHSSR), a global collaboration between university centres, NGOs and healthcare organisations, research is being conducted worldwide to identify what is needed locally to create a healthy, future-proof healthcare system. Sustainable procurement plays a crucial role in this.
However, organisations often apply differing definitions, priorities and objectives. This variation complicates the discussion and hinders collaboration within the healthcare chain.
The latest research by the Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management (ESHPM), commissioned by AstraZeneca and Philips, has mapped out the current dialogue on sustainability between three key players in the healthcare sector. What language do suppliers, healthcare providers and insurers in the Netherlands use when reporting on sustainability? What common language and metrics can they agree upon to better substantiate, report on and communicate sustainability within the healthcare chain? And: how can health insurers and healthcare providers reduce the environmental impact of healthcare in their contract negotiations?
On 23 April 2026, the researchers involved will present and discuss their findings. Together with relevant stakeholders, they will engage in dialogue and put forward recommendations for a shared language and more effective contracting.
Programme
Programme components marked with * will be conducted in English.
| 13:15 – 13:45 | Registration with coffee/tea |
| 13:45 – 13:50 | Opening by chair of the day. Prof. Dr. Marco Varkevisser (Professor of Health Care Market Regulation) |
| 13:50 – 14:00 | Introduction by Prof. Dr. Erik van Raaij (Professor of Sustainable Procurement in Health Care)* |
| 14:00 – 14:50 | Presentation of Report 1: Dani Wilkinson (PhD Candidate), Alice Wu (PhD Candidate) & Gijs van Biezen (student assistant)* Panel for Report 1: Simon Braaksma (Head of Social Sustainability, Philips) & Fred Walsteijn (Programme Manager, Bernhoven)* |
| 14:50 – 15:10 | Break |
| 15:10 – 16:00 | Presentation of Report 2: Frédérique Franken (PhD Candidate) Panel for Report 2: Martijn Bax (Country President, AstraZeneca Netherlands) & Iddo Meijer (Sales Manager, Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland) |
| 16:00 – 16:25 | Presentation of reports to Geranne Engwirda (Chair of the Board, NZa) + brief reflection |
| 16:25 – 16:30 | Wrap-up by chair of the day, Prof. Dr. Marco Varkevisser (Professor of Health Care Market Regulation) |
| 16:30 – 17:15 | Drinks |
