Funding provided to promote New Zealand's health IT cluster

Written 04.06.2004 12:26 by Boris Doesborg Print Send article

New Zealand's Economic Development Minister, Jim Anderton recently announced new funding to assist the New Zealand Health IT cluster to build up the capability of its companies in an effort to significantly accelerate the growth of the sector.

The funding over a two-year period will be paid out as agreed milestones are met. The health IT business sector is one of New Zealand's best performing high-tech export sectors.

"It is expected that the cluster, which aims to be fully self-supporting within two years, will make a substantial contribution to the commercialisation of New Zealand-developed intellectual property in this area of the IT industry," said Anderton.

The New Zealand Health IT Cluster was established by the Health IT business sector with the objective of building a collaborative Health IT industry with health care providers, software developers, university departments and government working cohesively to improve patient care through the use of information technology; improve the cost effectiveness of the provision of healthcare in New Zealand, and; accelerate the growth of the health IT industry in New Zealand.

The cluster was formed in 2002 and is made up of 39 Health IT companies and other sector participants whose business focus is on development and sale of software, computer and education services to the health sector.

More information:
Scoop: Funding provided to promote NZ Health IT Cluster