Dear IFHE Members

On behalf of the IFHE Community I wish you all the best for the Festive Season and a Happy New Year.

To all our members 

The year 2025 is coming to a close and we in healthcare have been faced with many challenges, as it has been for many years.

Last year in my Christmas message I emphasized the importance of achieving a work-life balance and the impact technology is having on our lives.

There is no doubt that the world has become a lot smaller as a result of access to information, and the ease with which we are able to communicate.  In the past, a response to a letter could take months.  An inquiry or research on a particular subject could take weeks of research in libraries and much interaction with colleagues.  Today we use easily accessible technology to find answers to these challenges.

Conferences were places of sharing information with people of similar interest and were used to network and share knowledge.  Today, it could be argued that we can do the same with Webinars and Teams meetings.  The sad reality is that we are no longer getting to know people the way we once did. 

We are less likely to interact face-to-face using the five senses which we have, and which in my opinion is absolutely essential for effective communications.

We often do not get to feel emotional or be empathetic to people with whom we are communicating.  Our communication is often restricted to business conversations.

What is the solution to these challenges?  The world is not going to stop. Technology will continue to change our lives at a rate of knots. To cope with these challenges is going to require us to be mindful of the pitfalls and actively debate solutions with our peers.  It is going to require us to manage our people in ways that continue to include empathy in our communication with them.

Healthcare is about serving people, and people visiting our facilities most often come here not because they want to, but because they have no other choice. Now more than ever, people involved in healthcare need to be acutely aware of the needs of our patients.

My challenge to all our members is to be mindful of this.

I wish all our members a peaceful and festive Christmas and to those of you traveling, to be safe and to come back rejuvenated for the challenges that the New Year 2026 will bring.

I look forward to seeing you all face-to-face in New Orleans in October.

Regards

Kevin D Poggenpoel

IFHE President

A Message from Gunnar Baekken

As we approach this festive season, I am filled with gratitude and reflection. Having served as General Secretary, President, and a member of the Executive Committee of IFHE for more than 30 years, I have been privileged to share this remarkable journey with friends and colleagues from all over the world.

These have been challenging times — not only for our organization but for the wider world we serve. Yet, I have also seen our resilience, dedication, and spirit shine through. Together, we continue to uphold the values of excellence, collaboration, and innovation that have defined IFHE for decades.

Although I have stepped back from official roles, it is a great honor to still contribute through the Senior Advisory Group for IFHE. This allows me to remain connected to the work and people I deeply admire.

As we celebrate Christmas and the New Year, my thoughts are with each of you — your families, your work, and the communities you serve. May this season bring you peace, joy, and renewed hope for the future.

I look forward to the opportunity to meet many of you again in 2026, to continue sharing our experiences, strengthening our friendships, and building on our shared mission.

As we move into an exciting New Year, I have created a summary of a few key areas IFHE members might like to think about where we can all have an impact for a better future in healthcare.

With warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Gunnar Baekken.
Past General Secretary, Past President, and Former Executive Committee Member.

The Future of Healthcare Engineering: Integrating Technology, Sustainability, and Demographic Challenges

Abstract

Healthcare engineering stands at the forefront of a transformative era shaped by rapid technological advances, demographic shifts, and environmental imperatives. As global populations age and healthcare demands increase, the discipline must integrate artificial intelligence (AI), sustainable design, and innovative delivery systems to ensure equitable, efficient, and resilient healthcare. This paper explores the critical future directions of healthcare engineering through the lenses of technology, environmental responsibility, economic sustainability, demographic change, and geographical accessibility.

1. Introduction

Healthcare engineering merges principles of engineering, medicine, and management to design, develop, and optimize healthcare systems and technologies. With healthcare systems worldwide under increasing strain, the role of engineering is expanding beyond traditional hospital infrastructure to include digital health platforms, medical robotics, and sustainable technologies. Emerging challenges — such as climate change, economic constraints, and an ageing global population — demand novel solutions that combine technological innovation with environmental and social responsibility.

2. Technological Innovation and Artificial Intelligence

Advances in technology and AI are reshaping every aspect of healthcare delivery. Machine learning algorithms can now detect diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular conditions earlier and more accurately than traditional methods. Robotics assist in precision surgery and rehabilitation, while AI-driven decision support systems enhance diagnostic and treatment accuracy.

Moreover, the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) enables real-time health monitoring through wearable devices and sensors, supporting preventive and personalized care. In the future, digital twins — virtual replicas of patients or hospital systems — will be used for simulation, prediction, and optimization of healthcare operations.

3. Environmental Sustainability in Healthcare Engineering

Healthcare contributes significantly to global carbon emissions and waste production. Future healthcare engineering must therefore prioritize sustainability through the design of green hospitals — facilities that minimize energy use, rely on renewable resources, and integrate circular waste management. Engineering innovations such as smart ventilation, water recycling, and biophilic design not only reduce environmental impact but also improve patient recovery and staff wellbeing.

Climate change adaptation will be essential, particularly for healthcare systems located in regions vulnerable to extreme heat, floods, or storms. Engineers will need to design resilient infrastructure capable of maintaining operation under adverse environmental conditions.

4. Economic and Resource Efficiency

The financial pressures on healthcare systems are intensifying due to rising treatment costs and increased patient demand. Healthcare engineering can mitigate these pressures through cost-efficient design and management strategies. Modular hospital construction, predictive maintenance using IoT sensors, and data-driven optimization of logistics can reduce operational costs while maintaining quality of care.

Additionally, digital technologies can streamline administrative workflows, reduce resource wastage, and improve healthcare accessibility in low- and middle-income regions.

5. Ageing Population and Demographic Challenges

The global population aged 65 and above is projected to double by 2050. This demographic shift will increase the prevalence of chronic diseases, mobility issues, and cognitive decline, placing unprecedented demand on healthcare infrastructure.

Healthcare engineering must respond with assistive technologies, such as robotic caregivers, smart homes, and telehealth systems that allow elderly patients to receive care in their own environments. Furthermore, hospital design must evolve to be age-friendly, prioritizing accessibility, safety, and comfort.

6. Geographical and Accessibility Challenges

Healthcare inequality remains a pressing global issue, especially in remote or underserved areas. Engineering solutions such as mobile clinics, telemedicine platforms, and portable diagnostic devices can bridge the gap between urban and rural healthcare access. Satellite connectivity and low-cost digital infrastructure will enable continuous communication between patients and healthcare providers regardless of location.

Future healthcare systems will rely on hybrid physical-digital models that bring care to the patient rather than requiring the patient to travel.

7. Conclusion

The future of healthcare engineering will be defined by integration — between technology and humanity, sustainability and innovation, and local and global needs. Artificial intelligence, digital health, and sustainable infrastructure will together shape a system that is smarter, greener, and more equitable. Addressing economic, demographic, and geographical challenges will require interdisciplinary collaboration among engineers, clinicians, data scientists, and policymakers.

Ultimately, healthcare engineering is not just about improving technology, but about creating a resilient and inclusive ecosystem capable of supporting the health of both people and the planet.