As an employer, you want your people to stay healthy, motivated and sustainably employable. Yet access to primary care in Belgium is becoming increasingly difficult, leading to potential sick leave and productivity loss. That is why AG has taken a strategic stake in Doktr, Belgium’s digital health platform for video consultations with certified GPs. The aim is clear: to make healthcare more personal, preventive and efficient. The completion of this transaction, which is subject to approval by the Competition Authority, is expected by the end of the year.
Digital healthcare on the rise
Belgium is at a tipping point in the organisation of primary care. The shortage of GPs is growing, and many Belgians struggle to book an appointment quickly. On average, there are 8.35 full-time equivalent GPs per 10,000 inhabitants. In some areas, waiting times for a physical consultation can stretch from several days to a full week.
At the same time, demand for digital care is booming. A recent study shows that half of Belgians are now open to digital consultations. Satisfaction surveys reveal that 97% of users are happy with their experience. Above all, Belgians value the efficiency and convenience of video consultations: no travel, no waiting room, and the comfort of being seen from home.
Doktr: fast, secure access to a certified doctor
Launched in 2021 with the backing of Proximus, Doktr offers patients the possibility to speak to a certified Belgian GP within an average of 25 minutes – no appointment, no travel required. Consultations are fully confidential, take place via an easy-to-use app, and are conducted by qualified Belgian doctors working in line with official standards and nomenclature.
From partnership to strategic participation
AG has been working successfully with Doktr since 2022 through My Care by AG, part of the MyAG Employee Benefits ecosystem and included in our health insurance policies as a standard service.
This allows employees to book GP video consultations directly via their familiar MyAG Employee Benefits app. Since Doktr’s launch, more than 400,000 downloads have already been registered.
The step towards becoming a shareholder – alongside Proximus, Christian Mutuality and Solidaris – stems naturally from a proven partnership and a shared vision regarding the development of a hybrid, future-oriented healthcare model.
Through our investment in Doktr, we are committed to scalable, accessible healthcare that supports people when they truly need it.
A “phygital” approach: digital care with a human touch
This investment perfectly fits AG’s phygital strategy – the smart combination of physical healthcare provision and digital health solutions.
“We firmly believe the future of care is hybrid,” says Benoit Halbart, Managing Director Employee Benefits & Health Care at AG. “Our investment in Doktr is about scalable, accessible care – available at the moment it truly matters. Not as a replacement, but as a smart complement to traditional care. This is fully in line with our ambition to foster prevention, efficiency and quality of life.”
Jan Van Wijnendaele, Managing Director of Doktr, concludes: “We are delighted to welcome AG as a strategic partner. This marks a significant step forward in our mission to make healthcare accessible to everyone in Belgium. Thanks to our open ecosystem model, we remain focused on ensuring access to GPs and mental healthcare, as well as supporting the health of employees and people with long-term illnesses.”
From left to right: Renaud Tilmans (Proximus) – Jan Van Wijnendaele (Doktr) – Benoit Halbart (AG Insurance)