MetaChef, BHVNederland and Velco launch 'Care in a Box' to strengthen self-reliance among Dutch citizens
MetaChef and BHVNederland jointly developed Care in a Box (CIB), an innovative digital tool that helps people recognize and handle common health and first-aid situations. Since the acquisition of BHVNederland by Presto Group Nederland, Velco Brandveiligheid has also become involved in deploying Care in a Box within BHV (Emergency Response) and first-aid training programs. The initiative responds to the growing societal need to give people more control over their own health while reducing the pressure on acute care services.
The background
The idea for Care in a Box emerged following a radio broadcast by BNR Nieuwsradio about the need to rely less quickly on GPs and emergency services when simple health questions can also be resolved independently. As a result, Marc Oude Luttikhuis of MetaChef reached out to Kees Weerheim of BHVNederland. Their shared vision of increasing self-reliance formed the basis for this initiative.
How Care in a Box works
Care in a Box uses an interactive digital 3D model of a first-aid kit. Users can easily navigate through its contents and receive practical explanations and instructions for each item. This gives people better insight into what first aid can offer, helps them understand what they can do themselves in common situations such as a cut, burn, bruise, choking, or fainting, and enables them to make more informed decisions about when professional help is needed.
Why we do this
With this project, BHVNederland and MetaChef aim to contribute to a society in which citizens are better prepared for everyday health and safety issues. This can help prevent unnecessary calls to emergency services, keeping acute care available for situations where it is truly needed.
From BHV refresher training to all of the Netherlands
Initially, Care in a Box is being used as part of the e-learning that participants complete before their BHV refresher training. CIB is built with interactive, custom 3D Microlearnings and thus complements the overall preparation, helping participants practice common first-aid situations and get to know first-aid materials. In the longer term, the goal is to make the tool widely accessible, so that as many people in the Netherlands as possible can benefit from the knowledge and support it offers.
Care in a Box has already been integrated into the e-learning for Velco's BHV refresher trainings. Before the practical training, participants become familiar with common first-aid situations, materials, and courses of action. This creates more room during the in-person training to practice skills in realistic scenarios.
Working together on self-reliance
Since the acquisition of BHVNederland by Presto Group, Velco Brandveiligheid has also become involved in deploying Care in a Box within BHV and first-aid training programs. For Velco, the initiative aligns with the vision that good safety starts with preparation, knowledge, and self-reliance.
Together with BHVNederland and Velco, MetaChef is committed to increasing people's self-reliance. By better preparing participants for emergency situations and making first aid more accessible, we contribute to a safer society and to keeping acute care available for the situations where it is truly needed.