Finland’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health, Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, led a delegation on an official visit to Qatar to explore new opportunities for cooperation in digital health and social welfare. The visit took place in Doha from November 11 to 13, 2025, alongside the Qatar Medicare Fair, where Finland showcased its digital health innovations.
During the visit, Minister Grahn-Laasonen met with Qatari officials, including Minister of Public Health, Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud, to discuss potential collaboration in healthcare digitalisation. Discussions also took place with Minister of Labour, Ali bin Saeed bin Smaikh Al Marri, focusing on strengthening occupational health and safety cooperation between the two nations.
Digital Health Cooperation
Finland is actively expanding its international cooperation in digital health and telemedicine, with a particular emphasis on Middle Eastern countries like Qatar. With advanced digital infrastructure and expertise in remote healthcare, Finland offers cutting-edge solutions in e-health services, AI-assisted diagnostics, and secure health data systems, according to the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
Finland’s participation in the Qatar Medicare Fair served as a platform to highlight its innovations in digital healthcare. The event allowed Finnish companies to engage with Qatari institutions and explore potential partnerships in the healthcare sector. Digital health remained a key area of interest, with both sides recognising its potential to enhance healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes.
Strengthening Healthcare and Social Welfare Ties
Qatar has made significant progress in healthcare and social affairs, investing heavily in advanced health infrastructure and services. The country has also prioritised human rights and inclusive policies, ensuring support for families and vulnerable populations, as noted during the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2).
Minister Grahn-Laasonen highlighted Finland’s readiness to deepen collaboration with Qatar in areas that combine technology, healthcare innovation, and social wellbeing. Finland values partnerships that advance sustainable solutions and promote equity in health and social care, according to the ministry.
Future Prospects
While no formal memorandum was signed during the visit, both sides expressed a commitment to continuing discussions and developing future partnerships. The meetings underscored mutual interest in advancing healthcare and social welfare cooperation, with a focus on sustainable health systems and digital health.
The visit marked another step forward in the growing partnership between Finland and Qatar. As both countries continue to explore new avenues for collaboration, the next steps are expected to be formalised in the coming months. Further developments in digital health cooperation are anticipated, with both nations keen to leverage their respective strengths in this area. Ongoing discussions will likely shape the future of healthcare and social welfare collaboration between Finland and Qatar.
For more information on Finland’s digital health initiatives, visit the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare’s website. Details on Qatar’s healthcare investments can be found on the Qatar Ministry of Public Health’s official website.
