the health
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Joaquim Cardoso MSc
March 4, 2024
This summary is based on the article “World Health Organisation launches Global Initiative on Digital Health”, published by Digital Health and written by Andrea Chipman on February 21, 2024
What is the message?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has initiated the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH), aimed at bolstering digital health transformation worldwide.
This initiative seeks to streamline resources, enhance collaboration, and implement the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025.
ONE PAGE SUMMARY
What are the key points?
Initiative Objectives: The GIDH endeavors to evaluate and prioritize member country needs for sustainable digital health transformation, fostering capacity building and convergence of efforts towards local development and adaptation of digital health technologies.
Challenges Addressed: The initiative targets challenges like fragmented resource allocation, variable quality of digital solutions, and the need to transition from product-focused initiatives to establishing robust national digital health infrastructure.
Four Foundational Pillars: The GIDH focuses on four pillars, including a country needs tracker, a country resource portal, a transformation toolbox, and convening/knowledge exchange platforms, to streamline efforts and ensure alignment with national priorities.
Emphasis on Data Sharing and Patient Access: Key stakeholders emphasize the importance of data sharing and improving patient access to digital tools to enhance healthcare effectiveness, resilience, and decision-making.
WHO’s Commitment: WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus underscores WHO’s commitment to leveraging technology for health improvement, citing the establishment of a Department of Digital Health and Innovation and the global digital health certification network.
What are the key statistics?
Over 120 WHO Member States have developed national digital health policies or strategies.
Less than 1% of the world’s available health data is utilized in healthcare decision-making.
Currently, more than 75 countries utilize WHO’s open-source platform for verifying digital records and health certificates.
What are the key examples?
Mathias Cormann from the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development highlights the potential of digital health tools to enhance healthcare systems and patient access.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus showcases WHO’s initiatives, including the Department of Digital Health and Innovation and the global digital health certification network.
Conclusion
The launch of the Global Initiative on Digital Health underscores WHO’s commitment to leveraging digital technologies for global health advancement.
By addressing challenges, promoting collaboration, and emphasizing data sharing and patient access, the initiative aims to drive meaningful digital health transformation worldwide.
To read the original publication, click here.
