Four ministers host roundtable discussion on promoting research in healthcare and social welfare in wellbeing services counties

On 5 March 2025, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Finance organised a roundtable discussion hosted by four ministers on the topic of how to promote research in the field of healthcare and social welfare.

Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, Minister of Local and Regional Government Anna-Kaisa Ikonen, Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie and Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso invited experts to discuss how to promote research in the field of healthcare and social welfare. The roundtable event was attended by experts from universities, wellbeing services counties, non-governmental organisations, ministries, the Research Council of Finland, Business Finland and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. 

The ministers who participated in the discussion emphasised the desire to promote research in the field of healthcare and social welfare by means of necessary legislative amendments and funding. The ministers assured that the Government is committed to removing barriers that slow down and hamper research and development activities in the wellbeing services counties. 

“The Government will increase Finland’s public research funding by a record amount of over EUR 1 billion during this government term. Funding for basic medical research and clinical research will also be strengthened. Legislation on research in the healthcare and social welfare sector will be clarified in a way that makes it easier to conduct research. The first stage includes amending the Act on the Secondary Use of Health and Social Data, which is why the relevant draft government proposal is currently being circulated for comments. We want to create the best possible conditions for Finland to conduct more research in the field of healthcare and social welfare and to develop tomorrow’s good care,” says Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen.

“Research means better care in the future. This year is the wellbeing services counties’ third year of operation. The new county structure and broader shoulders also provide better conditions for research, development, innovation and education. We must continue to improve the conditions for strengthening research and product development by dismantling barriers to such development work,” says Minister of Local and Regional Government Anna-Kaisa Ikonen. 

“Effective, well-functioning and timely services create trust in society. It is important that we also invest in research and product development in the healthcare and social welfare sector. Research data helps to create better care and wellbeing, medical breakthroughs and also many export and investment opportunities for Finland,” says Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie.

Growth Programme aims to strengthen RDI activities in the health and wellbeing sector 

In line with the Government Programme, the Government has launched a programme to boost growth, renewal and research, development and innovation (RDI) activities in the health and wellbeing sector. The Programme is implemented jointly by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. 

As part of the Programme, the purpose is to strengthen, among others, cooperation between RDI actors, the marketing of Finnish expertise and research to international companies, the Finnish health and wellbeing sector as a field of export, and the role of the wellbeing services counties in RDI activities. The aim is for the wellbeing services counties to adopt new technology and disseminate good and effective practices. 

Inquiries

Niilo Heinonen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Social Security, tel. +358 295 163 603
Maija Niskala, Special Adviser to the Minister of Local and Regional Government, tel. +358 295 530 276
Emmi Venäläinen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Science and Culture, tel. +358 50 453 2773
Nuutti Hyttinen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 073

The email addresses are in the format [email protected]