Dual use – from health technology to societal security and total defence
About the event
New technology is impacting both national and international security. How can health technologies developed for one purpose be applied in new areas? Norway Health Tech invites you to a workshop on dual use, focusing on how health preparedness is an integral part of total defence and society’s overall resilience.
Description
Collaboration, technology and innovation to strengthen defense capabilities and health preparedness.
With the experience from our March 4 workshop still fresh in mind, we are once again bringing together key stakeholders to further develop the dialogue and identify concrete opportunities. Interest in dual use is growing, and small and medium-sized enterprises are playing an increasingly important role in developing innovative solutions that can address both known and emerging challenges across sectors.
Through short presentations, experience sharing, and interactive discussions, we facilitate an engaging meeting place where collaboration and knowledge exchange are at the core.
The workshop is part of a pre-project funded by Akershus County Municipality, where we bring together decision-makers and technology environments across Health – Defence – Preparedness to strengthen the development of dual-use solutions. The aim is to help Norwegian health technology achieve greater application and societal impact – also beyond the healthcare sector.
Who is it for: Health companies (dual use), the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (FMA), the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (NSR), the Norwegian Directorate of Health, and other key professionals from the armed forces, preparedness authorities, relevant members of Norway Health Tech, and potential partners within the future focus areas of health, defence and preparedness.
Why: To explore how technology, data, innovation and civil–military collaboration can strengthen Norway’s defence capabilities and national health preparedness going forward, and to provide a platform for the development and scaling of companies within dual use, health, preparedness and defence.
Welcome!
Program
08:00–08:30 Registration and coffee
08:30–08:40 Welcome and introduction
08:40–09:00 Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, by Colonel Christian Bartholomé, Head of the Project Department for Land and Joint Capabilities.
- The NDMA’s perspective on potential linkages, interfaces and collaboration with preparedness stakeholders and the health industry – both strategically and operationally.
09:00–09:20 Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, by CEO Kenneth Ruud.
- How to ensure rapid innovation and high adaptability at the intersection of medtech/healthtech and defence/preparedness.
09:20–09:40 Norwegian Security Council for Business and Industry, by CEO Odin Johannessen
- From civilian to military – and back: dual use as an opportunity for Norwegian industry.
09:40–10:00 Oslo University Hospital, by Steinar Olsen, Head of Prehospital Services
- Societal responsibility, cross-sector collaboration and the interfaces between municipalities, hospitals and preparedness responsibilities.
10:00–10:20 Norwegian Armed Forces Medical Services, by Håkon Lund, Chief Medical Officer, Home Guard
10:20–10:40 Coffee break
10:40–11:00 University Hospital of North Norway, by Senior Advisor Stein Olav Skrøvseth, Digitalisation, Development and Collaboration Centre, Department of Research and Development
11:00–11:20 Medicine, knowledge and national preparedness, by Hanne C. F. Harbo, Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo
11:20–11:40 Experience from collaboration with Ukraine, by Kirsten Sæther, Head of Collaboration, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital
- Experience from collaboration with Ukraine: training, treatment and rehabilitation.
11:40–12:00 Dual use and experience sharing:
- Aristeia ved Gard Moe, CEO.
- Excitus Medical ved Øystein Refseth, CEO
12:00–12:20 What next? Interactive session on the way forward
12:20–13:00 Lunch and networking
Speakers
Speakers
Chief Medical Officer and Head of Medical Services in the Norwegian Home Guard
Håkon Lund
Håkon Lund is a physician and lieutenant colonel in the Norwegian Armed Forces, currently serving as Chief Medical Officer and head of medical services in the Home Guard. He has broad clinical experience from hospitals and primary care, as well as a background from Andersen Consulting and roles in both the Armed Forces and central health administration. Lund has extensive operational experience from international missions in Macedonia, Kosovo and multiple deployments to Afghanistan. From August 2026, he will assume the role of Chief Medical Officer at the Norwegian Joint Headquarters
Colonel and Head of the Project Department for Land and Joint Capabilities at the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency
Christian Bartholomé
Christian Bartholomé is a Colonel and Head of the Project Department for Land and Joint Capabilities at the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, with responsibility for the execution of investment projects. He has extensive and diverse experience from the armed forces in both Norway and the Netherlands, including key leadership and advisory roles, as well as operational leadership experience from international missions. He has received his military education in both Norway and the Netherlands.
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