Senior representatives from Diaverum recently participated in KitNewCare’s Innovation Challenge. Taking place during the 6th Nordic Conference on Sustainable Healthcare on 16 October in Malmö, Sweden, the event brought together experts, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders from across Europe to explore new approaches & technologies for sustainable kidney care practices.
During the event, Sergio Rodriguez, Operations Director for Eastern Europe & LatAm regions, and Stephanie de Sury, ESG Global Manager, shared our environmental strategy and how we are working towards reaching NetZero by 2050, firmly rooted in the understanding that focus on patient care is also good for the planet. In addition, they outlined the key challenges confronting the renal care sector, including:
- The impact of an aging population and rising healthcare demand.
- Economic strain due to increased healthcare costs.
- A shortage of healthcare professionals.
- The fragmented nature of some healthcare systems.
- The need to reduce transportation emissions through home dialysis.
- Difficulties in standardising sustainable practices across varying regulatory environments.
A workshop was also organised with participants from across the sector to discuss existing and potential new solutions for promoting greener kidney care.
Launched at the start of 2024 and set to run for three years, KitNewCare is an initiative whose primary objective is to involve a range of stakeholders – including patients, healthcare professionals, NGOs, industry partners and policymakers - to foster the transformation of kidney healthcare into a sustainable, climate-neutral model. Diaverum is engaging in KitNewCare’s work through the Nordic Center for Sustainable Healthcare which is part of the consortium and of which Diaverum has been a member since October 2023.
Commenting on the event, Sergio said: “It was a pleasure to share experiences with healthcare colleagues and gain insights into industry trends. Many of the initiatives presented are already integrated into our workstreams and projects, reflecting the proactivity and engagement of Diaverum’s teams at all levels. This reaffirms our strong commitment to sustainability and our ambitious goals.
“We have much to contribute, both as a company and as individuals. I am proud to be part of a company that embraces change, and I look forward to continuously spreading knowledge”.
Stephanie added: “I am truly grateful for the opportunity to connect with industry colleagues and inspired by the insightful discussions during this event. I am convinced that our journey toward greater sustainability hinges on collaboration and engagement across the entire sector. Achieving our net-zero strategy will require strong partnerships with key stakeholders, especially our suppliers.
“I am confident that Diaverum is well-positioned to drive positive change and help build a more sustainable future for the renal care sector.”