The Social Contribution of the Year award recognizes a project that improves society as a whole while simultaneously supporting students. Whether it is a forward-looking, practical, or simply brilliant idea – this category is dedicated to those who build a better world around us! This category is proudly supported by Tallinn Health University of Applied Sciences and Aquaphor.
This year’s laureate, “Foreign Languages in Healthcare” (“Võõrkeeled Tervishoius“), brought much-needed attention to a major challenge in Estonian society – the language barrier between doctor and patient. Drawing on a survey completed by nearly 2,300 respondents, the initiative demonstrated just how many healthcare professionals require translation assistance in their daily work to ensure safe and high-quality care for their patients. The project focuses both on raising awareness and seeking practical solutions, including increasing patient awareness and exploring potential digital solutions to help healthcare workers and patients communicate more effectively.
The initiative has succeeded in raising awareness among healthcare professionals and patients alike, sparking a public discussion on everyone’s right to receive clear and safe medical care regardless of their native language. “Our goal here is to ensure that absolutely every patient, regardless of their language, receives equal quality of care. At the same time, our second objective is to support our own invaluable healthcare workers – both young and experienced – so that our healthcare system remains sustainable. This recognition gives us the confidence that we are doing the right thing,” stated the project leaders. Furthermore, the project raises awareness that patients can bring an interpreter to their medical appointments if necessary, ensuring more accurate understanding and smoother communication. In the long run, this initiative will help reduce the burden on the healthcare system and support the vision of Estonia as a nation of healthy, well-informed people.
