Estonia is a pioneer in digital transformation, particularly in its health sector. Since gaining independence in the early 1990s, the nation has evolved into a leader in data-driven healthcare.
As Arab Health 2025 approaches, Estonia’s participation underlines a commitment to revolutionising global healthcare. With a strong portfolio of achievements and a progressive ecosystem, Estonia stands poised to contribute to advancements in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and beyond, where nations are also embracing emerging technologies.
This article will explore Estonia’s healthtech leadership, the GCC’s digital health initiatives, and opportunities for collaboration to improve patient care and health technologies.
Shared Vision for Digital Healthcare
Today, Estonia is a trailblazer in digital healthcare, with 99% of health data digitised and backed by over two decades of e-health expertise. Its national digital health system is a blueprint for countries seeking to modernise healthcare through unified, data-driven solutions.
GCC countries share this vision, driving transformation through investments in telemedicine, artificial intelligence (AI), and patient-centric platforms. These efforts seek to create more accessible and efficient healthcare systems, resonating with Estonia’s journey.
Estonia’s Healthtech Innovations
The e-Health Record system – a cornerstone of the Estonian digital healthcare landscape, allows patients easy access to their medical records, ensuring a seamless healthcare experience. Estonia’s top rank in the 2024 Digital Health Index by Bertelsmann Stiftung spotlights its success in integrating technology into healthcare. Placing citizens at the apex of their healthcare systems, has further empowered Estonia to establish new standards for efficiency, accessibility, and patient-centric care – redefining what is achievable in healthcare for nations worldwide.
The Estonian healthtech ecosystem is rich with cutting-edge solutions that enhance patient care. Arab Health 2025 will demonstrate the significant contributions of several Estonian companies to the field of digital healthcare innovation:
- 7Sense: 7sense is transforming the lives of visually impaired individuals with its Telehaptic Sight™ technology, a noninvasive assistive solution that uses a unique haptic mat to convey objects, motion, speed, and distance through touch. This groundbreaking approach enhances situational awareness, enabling users to navigate open spaces and comprehend their environment effectively. The technology has received incredibly positive feedback from pilot projects launched in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and France.
- MDSC Systems: Specialising in medical diagnostics, MDSC Systems enhances crisis response and public health with mobile, deployable solutions for rapid medical aid, diagnostics, and health screenings. The lightweight units enable swift deployment to disaster zones, conflict areas, and remote regions, supporting cancer detection, children’s vision tests, trauma care, and hazardous waste management, ensuring health and safety wherever it’s needed most.
- Helmes: Helmes drives healthtech innovation by creating digital solutions that enhance healthcare efficiency and accessibility. Its flagship e-Prescription platform, launched in 2010, revolutionised Estonia’s healthcare system by seamlessly connecting doctors, patients, and pharmacies through a centralised, paperless system. This transformative solution reduced administrative burdens, minimised errors, and improved patient convenience, achieving near-universal adoption within just one year. Helmes offers tailored digital solutions to modernise healthcare systems worldwide, facilitating better patient care and operational efficiency.
- OneArchitects: OneArchitects is at the forefront of designing health-focused environments that elevate patient experiences through innovative architectural solutions. Prioritising patient comfort and functionality, the firm creates spaces that not only meet the needs of healthcare providers but also promote healing and wellbeing. Their commitment to thoughtful design results in environments that foster recovery and enhance overall health outcomes. With a keen understanding of the interplay between architecture and patient care, OneArchitects transforms healthcare facilities into welcoming, efficient spaces that inspire trust and reassurance.
- Nortal: Nortal specialises in creating seamless, data-driven solutions that bridge public and private sectors. They have propelled Estonian healthcare by developing the National Health Record, enabling secure, real-time data exchange among providers and patients. This success, along with blockchain integration for record security and international e-health projects, highlights Nortal’s expertise in building efficient, patient-centric healthcare solutions worldwide.
- Chemi-Pharm: As a leading hygiene specialist, Chemi-Pharm is dedicated to enhancing safety and cleanliness in the medical sector. The company has over 20 years of experience in developing and distributing disinfectants, cleaning, and skincare products tailored for professional use, offering a comprehensive product line that meets high industry standards. Supported by in-house research and development in collaboration with top European researchers, Chemi-Pharm’s innovative solutions prioritise efficacy and minimal allergenic properties, ensuring optimal hygiene and patient safety.
- Lifeyear: Lifeyear is redefining cardiovascular care through innovative digital health solutions aimed at extending the human healthspan. Its AI-enabled Softwareas-a-Medical-Device platform integrates clinical guidelines, remote patient monitoring, and behavioural science to provide personalised interventions. By leveraging real-time data, Lifeyear improves the management of risk factors such as hypertension and obesity, enhancing patient outcomes. With a dedication to transforming healthcare delivery, Lifeyear strives to promote a healthier future for individuals globally.
- Migrevention: Migrevention supports healthcare professionals through its digital headache clinic, which streamlines patient access to care for migraines and tension-type headaches. The platform enhances communication, reduces administrative burdens, and facilitates efficient management of headache conditions. With a focus on patient needs, Migrevention enables healthcare providers to deliver targeted interventions and personalised care. Committed to evidence-based practices, Migrevention develops tailored digital solutions that improve the understanding and management of primary headache disorders, leading to better patient outcomes.
- Nordic Vitamins: Nordic Vitamins specialises in developing advanced dietary supplements that utilise innovative delivery systems for enhanced absorption. With decades of pharmaceutical experience, the company offers high-quality products tailored to meet diverse client needs across Europe and beyond. By prioritising the highest industry standards, NorVita aspires to improve health and wellness through science-backed solutions.
These companies are creating a collaborative ecosystem that drives innovation, nurturing the development of integrated healthcare solutions.
GCC’s Digital Healthcare Transformation
In line with the UAE’s Vision 2031 and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to prioritise healthcare through digital innovation, UAE and Saudi Arabia are making substantial investments in digital health initiatives.
Estonia’s e-health technologies offer valuable insights for GCC countries aiming to modernise healthcare systems. With an emphasis on data-driven solutions and seamless interoperability, Estonia demonstrates how unified systems can improve efficiency and patient care.
“Global healthcare is evolving with trends like data-driven care, preventive solutions, and telemedicine. Estonia’s leadership in e-health systems and personalised medicine aligns with the Gulf’s vision for smarter, resilient healthcare. Companies like Helmes and Nortal have shaped Estonia’s digital health infrastructure, while Migrevention and Lifeyear tackles challenges like headaches and heart conditions, underscoring how Estonian innovation drives meaningful advances in global healthcare accessibility and patient outcomes,” said Reet Reinart-Okugbeni.
Reet Reinart-Okugbeni, PhD, is the R&D Expert at Estonia’s Applied Research Program, fostering collaboration within Estonia’s Healthtech sector to drive innovation and global partnerships.
Opportunities for Collaboration
Partnerships between Estonian healthtech companies and GCC healthcare providers are crucial to exchange expertise in data-driven health systems, genomic data, and digital platforms, ensuring more efficient healthcare. Collaborations in personalised medicine can harness the strengths of both ecosystems for global advancements.
Estonia’s digitalisation journey has prioritised privacy and data security through robust regulatory frameworks and encryption technologies, ensuring compliance with data protection laws and building public trust. Its success in creating a technology-driven healthcare model serves as a roadmap for other nations to elevate their healthcare systems. GCC countries can accelerate their digital initiatives by drawing on Estonia’s expertise.
Trending in the Estonian Healthtech sector
Estonia has emerged as a global leader in health technology, driven by its advanced e-health systems, genomic research, and AI-driven solutions. Through Enterprise Estonia’s Applied Research Program, the nation has invested over €100 million since 2021, supporting 170+ innovative projects. This programme facilitates high-value entrepreneurship, enabling Estonian companies to develop and launch advanced healthcare technologies globally.
Looking ahead, Estonia will leverage emerging technologies like machine learning, predictive analytics, and AI to develop responsive and personalised healthcare.
The Bright Future of Healthcare
Estonia exemplifies what can be achieved when a nation embraces innovation, providing seamless, accessible, and personalised care that empowers its citizens and showcases the potential of a fully integrated healthcare system.
Estonia’s digital health acumen aligns with GCC’s ambitions, setting the stage for impactful partnerships. As both regions continue to explore innovation, they can create a global model for technology-driven, personalised healthcare solutions that improve access while cultivating a patient-centric approach.
- Visit Trade Estonia at: https://tradewithestonia.com/events/arab-health-2025/
