S-Bank and the Finnish Diabetes Association are preparing the first impact investment programme for healthcare

Impact-based financing enables the development of preventive solutions without the public sector bearing the financial risk in advance. The performance bonus is based on achieved and independently verified results. In the model, the investor bears the financial risk: if the impact targets are not achieved, no performance bonus is generated. This distinguishes the model from traditional financing.

S-Bank has extensive experience in impact investing and Social Impact Bond models in Finland, including projects related to the promotion of employment, education and work ability. In healthcare, the impact model offers an opportunity to combine long-term development, research and measurable patient benefits into one entity.

"S-Bank's role in the project is to enable the structural and financial development of the model together with its partners. The bank does not provide health services or comment on individual treatment solutions," says Samir Omar, Programme Director of Impact Investments at S-Bank.

The number of people with type 2 diabetes is growing rapidly, and new, effective and cost-effective solutions are needed to develop treatment.

"The Finnish Diabetes Association is currently piloting an effectiveness-based health programme to develop the treatment of type 2 diabetes in two wellbeing services counties, North Savo and South Karelia. Our goal is to expand the health programme to include impact investing and developing diabetes treatment in more wellbeing services counties," says Director Sari Koski from the Finnish Diabetes Association.

For example, a personal treatment plan will be drawn up for people with type 2 diabetes who participate in a health programme coordinated by the Finnish Diabetes Association, and a digital lifestyle intervention will be selected individually based on functional capacity and motivation. The aim of the programme is to create effective and cost-effective operating models that improve the quality and effectiveness of treatment and prevent the emergence of costly additional diseases. The project will carry out real-world evidence (RWE) in cooperation with the University of Eastern Finland to verify the effectiveness. The results of the study will be completed in 2027.