Meet the Partners: Niclas Forsling, Centre for Rural Medicine, Region Västerbotten

Meet the Partner: Niclas Forsling

🔹 Institution: Centre for Rural Medicine, Region Västerbotten
🔹 Country: Sweden
🔹 Role in Tech2Heal NPA Project: Research and Development Partner

About Niclas Forsling & the Centre for Rural Medicine:

The Centre for Rural Medicine (GMC), located in the inland region of Västerbotten, Sweden, is a pioneering R&D unit dedicated to improving healthcare in sparsely populated areas—regions with less than one person per square kilometre and long distances to public services. With over a decade of experience, GMC focuses on digital and remote healthcare solutions, advancing areas such as education, Sami health, recruitment, and the quality of local healthcare.

Recognized as the Swedish Knowledge Centre for Rural Health (as of January 27, 2025) and a WHO Europe demonstration site for primary care, GMC also hosts the Knowledge Network for Sami Health. Niclas Forsling, a key representative of GMC, plays an instrumental role in leveraging this expertise to enhance health access and equity for rural communities.

About Sweden (Västerbotten Region):

Västerbotten is Sweden’s second northernmost region. Its inland area, home to GMC, faces challenges such as geographic isolation, aging populations, and youth outmigration. Meanwhile, the coastal regions are rapidly developing and attracting global talent due to the green industrial transition. This urban-rural dynamic underscores the importance of targeted digital health strategies.

How the Centre for Rural Medicine Contributes to the Tech2Heal NPA Project:

As a critical partner in Tech2Heal, the Centre for Rural Medicine contributes with its strong foundation in rural health innovation and practical healthcare delivery:

1. Developing and testing proof-of-concept digital health solutions tailored for remote and underserved populations;

2. Emphasizing user-centric, citizen-focused approaches in technology deployment;

3. Acting as a national knowledge hub to share results and promote scalability across Sweden;

4. Applying hands-on, real-world insights to support policy and practice in rural health systems.

Why This Partnership Matters:

The Centre for Rural Medicine brings essential rural health expertise to Tech2Heal, ensuring that innovations are designed with—and for—people living in isolated regions. Through Niclas Forsling’s leadership, this partnership strengthens the project’s ability to co-create meaningful, inclusive digital health interventions. GMC’s deep understanding of the rural healthcare context supports Tech2Heal in achieving lasting impact for communities across the Northern Periphery.

Learn more about the Centre for Rural Medicine:
https://www.regionvasterbotten.se/