Berlin: On the way to becoming Europe's health capital

1. joint strategy 2030 - Berlin as a European health metropolis

Rationale: Despite many excellent individual initiatives, a coordinated overall strategy for the healthcare industry is lacking. Only with clear goals, responsibilities and binding management can Berlin join forces.

Measures:

- Establishment of a "Future Council Health Berlin 2030" with stakeholders from politics, business and science.
- Definition of measurable and verifiable goals in: Care, research, business and internationalization.
- Establishment of a coordination office that manages implementation, creates transparency and communicates results.

2. create standardized and fast approval processes

Justification: Bureaucratic hurdles slow down innovation. Competitors in the USA or China have fast-track procedures that make projects possible much faster.

Measures:

- Introduction of a uniform approval standard for Berlin-Brandenburg to avoid duplication of work.
- Central approval office with accelerated procedures so that innovations can be applied more quickly.
- Definition of binding time limits for decisions by authorities to ensure predictability.

3. strengthen innovation financing and the capital market

Reason: Germany has many patents, but too few successful start-ups. A lack of access to venture capital and an unattractive capital market are holding back young companies.

Measures:

- Establishment of a "Health Innovation Campus" with its own capital market segment to provide companies with targeted access to capital.
- Introduction of tax incentives for investments in healthcare start-ups in order to mobilize private funds.
- State investment funds based on the VC model so that public funds act as leverage for private investments.

4. accelerate translation and cluster formation

Justification: Research results take too long to reach the healthcare sector. Berlin has strong clusters, but needs to network them more effectively and make them more visible internationally.

Measures:

- Establish real laboratories to bring research results directly into application.
- Strengthen HealthCapital cluster and link it more closely with successful models in other regions.
- Expand and promote centers of excellence (e.g. oncology, radiopharmacy) to achieve greater international visibility.

5. targeted expansion of infrastructure

Justification: Dilapidated infrastructure and outdated buildings weaken important healthcare locations. A modern infrastructure is crucial for research, care and settlements. Targeted investment is needed to consciously promote the beacons that we have in our city.

Measures:

- Establishment of cross-campus service and innovation centers that support start-ups and SMEs.
- A clear commitment to investing in modern research and clinic buildings in order to maintain and expand the infrastructural basis.

6. skilled labor campaign with clear targets

Justification: The shortage of skilled workers is the biggest obstacle to growth. Berlin must attract international talent by speeding up recognition and training procedures and ensuring affordable housing.

Measures:

• Significantly simplify and shorten recognition procedures for international qualifications in order to integrate talent quickly.
• Expansion of English-language training and study programs to make Berlin more attractive for international specialists.
• Set up housing construction programs in the catchment area of healthcare locations (e.g. by state-owned housing construction companies) in order to retain skilled workers locally.
• Establish a Berlin-wide "Welcome Initiative" that welcomes and integrates talent.

7. make digitalization & health data user-friendly

Rationale: Health data is the raw material of tomorrow's medicine. Role models such as Denmark show how user-friendly digitalization can revolutionize healthcare and research.

Measures:

- Introduce standardized electronic patient records to make data available to patients and doctors.
- Create a secure data infrastructure that offers trust through the highest standards of data protection and security.
- Promote data-driven applications that improve prevention, diagnostics and therapy.
- Orientation towards international best practices in order to learn from successful role models.

8. use artificial intelligence in practice

Rationale: AI and machine learning can reduce bureaucracy, relieve the burden on specialists and improve diagnoses. Berlin can become a pilot region here.

Measures:

- Promote pilot projects in clinics and research institutions that test specific fields of application.
- Establish an "AI Lab Health Berlin" that networks the players already active and develops standards for all those who want to develop further in this area.
- Create regulatory guidelines for the safe use of AI to ensure data security and build trust in general.

9. use sustainability as a location factor

Justification: Sustainable structures are a prerequisite for investment today and ensure acceptance in society and politics. The healthcare industry and climate strategy belong together.

Measures:

• New construction and refurbishment of clinics according to ESG criteria in order to conserve resources.
• Building resilient supply systems, e.g. investing in critical infrastructure in order to be able to act in times of crisis.
• Integrating health and sustainability into urban development to ensure quality of life.

10. making Berlin internationally visible

Justification: Berlin needs a strong narrative as a European healthcare metropolis. Greater visibility to the outside world and international cooperation strengthen its attractiveness and competitiveness.

Measures:

• Develop location marketing with the "Berlin - Health Capital of Europe" brand.
• Expand presence at leading international trade fairs to attract global attention.
• Promote international cooperation, for example in pandemic preparedness.
• Support global initiatives and foundations that strengthen Berlin's role as a responsible actor.