Doctors and researchers
We work intensively with doctors and researchers in the gastrointestinal field. This way, we ensure that we are fully up to date and informed about the latest developments. This allows us to keep our information current, to set up projects that improve patient care and to generate maximum impact with our funding of the best scientific research.
Professional associations
Dutch Digestive Health Fund is in close contact with several associations in which doctors and researchers in the field of gastrointestinal and liver diseases work together. The Dutch Society of Gastrointestinal-Liver Physicians (NVMDL) and Dutch Digestive Health Fund started a structural cooperation in the field of information and communication in 2007. Current cooperation projects include updating patient information brochures and building and maintaining media contacts. With other professional associations, we have regular consultations on medical developments and cooperate on specific projects. These professional associations include:
- Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Group (DPCG)
- Dutch College of General Practitioners (Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap, NHG)
- Dutch Association of Dieticians (Nederlandse Vereniging van Diëtisten, NVD)
- Dutch Society for Gastroenterology (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Gastroenterolgie, NVGE)
- Dutch Association for Hepatology (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Hepatologie, NVH)
- Dutch Association of Gastrointestinal Surgeons (Nederlandse Vereniging van Maag-Darm-Leverartsen, NVMDL)
- Pancreatitis Working Group Netherlands (Pancreatitis Werkgroep Nederland, PWN)
Patient associations
To best align our activities as a fund with the needs of patients, we actively seek contact and enter into collaborations with the various patient associations affiliated to us. We also provide financial support to these patient associations on a project basis (see the subsidy guide). The activities of the patient associations and Dutch Digestive Health Fund complement each other well. Among other things, the associations offer fellow sufferer contact and represent the interests of patients in all sorts of areas. In the near future, we aim for further structural cooperation in order to join forces for the continuous improvement of patient care.
Toilet Alliance
Dutch Digestive Health Fund works with civil society organisations in the Toilet Alliance to ensure there are enough public and accessible toilets. This is important for people with gastrointestinal diseases, bladder problems, the elderly, women and day trippers. The goal is a society where everyone, regardless of their health, can participate in public life without worries.
Gut4u
Dutch Digestive Health Fund is working with the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG) and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) on the platform Gut4u. This initiative aims to better understand how the gut microbiome works and how it plays a role in the development of diseases and disorders. It also investigates whether the gut microbiome can help treat diseases and alleviate symptoms in the future. This research is an important step towards potential treatments in clinical practice.
Other partnerships
Dutch Digestive Health Fund is a member of the sector organisation Goede Doelen Nederland (Charities in the Netherlands) and the Samenwerkende Gezondheidsfondsen (Collaborating Health Funds, SGF). Goede Doelen Nederland provides advocacy, knowledge development and a broad platform for knowledge exchange and meetings for charities. In the SGF, 20 health funds join forces, because we can achieve more together and because some topics cross fund boundaries. We also participate in the Public Health Lottery Actions Foundation (Foundation Lottery Public Health).
Dutch Digestive Health Fund is based in the Huis voor de Gezondheid (House for Health) in Amersfoort. This location houses a number of health funds together, stimulating closer cooperation and knowledge sharing. The Huis voor de Gezondheid is an initiative of Longfonds (Lung Foundation Netherlands), Alzheimer Nederland (Alzheimer Fund), Diabetes Fonds (Diabetes Fund), Diabetes Vereniging Nederland (Dutch Diabetes Association), Fonds Psychische Gezondheid (Mental Health Fund), Dutch Digestive Health Fund and Nederlandse Diabetes Federatie (Dutch Diabetes Federation).
Government bodies
Together with the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Dutch Digestive Health Fund works on effective communication around population screening for colorectal cancer to improve early detection of colorectal cancer.
We also participate in a joint research programme with ZonMw and Health~Holland. This programme focuses on funding scientific research in the field of liver disease that can be rapidly applied in clinical practice.
Companies
We are able to work on our mission thanks to donations from both individuals and businesses. With business partners, we look for a mutually interesting form of cooperation. Sometimes this involves customisation. Sometimes a fixed form of sponsorship is used. Would you like more information about the possibilities of collaborating with Dutch Digestive Health Fund? Then please contact us.