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FRATEM, technology serving healthcare in Wallonia
Meet André Vandenberghe, strategic director of FRATEM (Regional Federation for Accessibility of Medical Technologies). A trained physician and a pioneer in medical informatics, André has crafted digital health solutions that have improved the lives of patients and healthcare professionals for more than two decades. “My journey has taken me from the halls of the IT industry to hospital boardrooms, where I realized how critical seamless information exchange is for modern, effective medicine,” he shares. Today, he leads FRATEM, a non-profit organization committed to promoting the secure and efficient exchange of healthcare data for everyone’s benefit.
FRATEM, what is it? Let us explain everything!
FRATEM brings together healthcare professionals from both inside and outside hospitals with a shared mission: to strengthen continuity of care through the secure sharing of health data. The association, designated by decree from the Walloon Region, manages the Walloon Health Network (réseau santé wallon - RSW), allowing various health stakeholders to collaborate remotely while maintaining the highest security standards. By extending its services to the Brussels Health Network, FRATEM demonstrates its ability to support large-scale projects that cross regional borders.
André and his team are also responsible for specific technical services, ranging from the secure storage of shared data to hosting the vaccination register for the Walloon and Brussels regions. With FRATEM’s support, thousands of professionals and patients today can consult their health information via a dedicated portal, prioritizing transparency and accessibility.
Our goal is to empower patients, to help them access and even contribute to their own health records
Innovation at the heart of digital health
In line with A6K’s mission to innovate, FRATEM is undertaking an ambitious overhaul of the RSW platform. Currently, they are working on a migration to the international FHIR standard for health data exchange, to provide healthcare professionals with a structured and collaborative database. This initiative is paired with a partnership with Dermatoo, a company applying artificial intelligence in dermatology, creating exciting opportunities for the detection and monitoring of skin conditions. “Every step forward, whether improving standards or integrating cutting-edge technology, brings us closer to our goal: making data sharing more seamless while safeguarding privacy,” André adds.
A citizen-driven project
Beyond its technological mission, FRATEM embodies a citizen initiative born from the collective will of professionals from diverse backgrounds, who united their efforts to build this platform. “This project came to life thanks to the dedication of passionate volunteers before it gained structural support from the Walloon government,” André recalls. A human journey that reflects each contributor’s commitment to a shared goal: making healthcare technology accessible to all.
Just joining the A6K ecosystem in October 2024, FRATEM is enthusiastically integrating with other digital health and innovation stakeholders, hoping to continue expanding its impact within this dynamic ecosystem! Let's give them a warm welcome!
