GWA Hygiene Among Finalists in 'Digital Places in the Land of Ideas' 2023 Competition
Written By

Henning Falk
Published On
Aug 20, 2023
Category
- Company
- Innovation
- Awards

Stralsund, August 20, 2023 – GWA Hygiene GmbH has achieved a significant success: With the project “Smart Healthcare in Rural Areas,” the company was selected among the 15 finalists of the prestigious competition “Digital Places in the Land of Ideas.”
About the Competition
The digital innovation competition, jointly organized by Germany – Land of Ideas and Deutsche Glasfaser, is characterized by the following features:
- Second edition of the nationwide competition
- Focus on innovative digital solutions for rural areas
- 170 applications from across Germany
- 15 finalists in various categories
The Finals
Key Dates
- Award ceremony: November 14, 2023, in Berlin
- 5 winning categories:
- Mobility
- Community
- Smart Municipality
- Health
- Education
Strong Partnerships
The competition is supported by:
- Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG)
- Carl-Zeiss Foundation
- German County Association
- Federal Gigabit Office
- Network of Young Mayors
- Tagesspiegel Background
The patron is Daniela Kluckert, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport.
The Project: Smart Healthcare in Rural Areas
Innovative Solutions
- Blood culture tracking
- ZoneSensor technology
- Digital health monitoring
Social Relevance
The project addresses central challenges:
- Demographic change
- Shortage of skilled workers
- Healthcare provision in rural areas
Management Statement
Toralf Schnell, Chief Market Management Officer (CMO) of GWA Hygiene GmbH, emphasizes the importance of digitalization:
“Digitalization is not just a trend but a necessity, especially in rural areas heavily affected by demographic changes and skilled labor shortages. Our project experience has demonstrated the potential of digital innovations. With technologies like blood culture tracking and the ‘ZoneSensor,’ we have shown that we are not only capable of making healthcare more efficient but also making life safer for people, especially the elderly population.”
Project Goals and Impact
Immediate Benefits
- Improved quality of life
- Reduced fatalities
- Relief for medical staff
Long-term Perspective
- Sustainable healthcare
- Future-proof solutions
- Strengthening rural regions
The nomination as a finalist underscores GWA Hygiene GmbH’s innovative power and commitment to digital and future-oriented healthcare in rural areas.