SWITZERLAND — The collaboration between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the G20 India presidency has given birth to the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH).
This announcement was made during the G20 Summit’s Health Minister’s Meeting hosted by India. The GIDH, aptly pronounced as ‘guide,’ will function as a WHO-managed network and platform dedicated to supporting the implementation of the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025.
Functioning as the implementation’s secretariat, the WHO will gather global standards, best practices, and resources to expedite the transformation of digital health systems.
With a clear focus on achieving tangible outcomes, the initiative is guided by a set of strategies. These strategies encompass formulating investment plans that prioritize the transformation of digital health, enhancing the transparency of digital health resources through improved reporting.
Furthermore, the secretariat will facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration across diverse regions and countries to propel progress at an accelerated pace, and advocate for comprehensive digital health governance through innovative whole-of-government approaches.
Increasing technical and financial support for implementing the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025 and its subsequent phase.
Multiple stakeholders have already made substantial commitments, both financially and otherwise, to support the initiative’s launch.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, expressed gratitude for the recognition of WHO’s role and strengths in this endeavor.
He emphasized the importance of continued collaboration among the G20, development partners, and international organizations to achieve shared goals.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, India’s Union Health Minister, highlighted the significance of this initiative as one of the key deliverables of India’s G20 Presidency. The Global Initiative on Digital Health is set to play a transformative role in the landscape of global health.
Since the inception of the first WHO resolution on eHealth in 2005, which paved the way for the WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health, over 120 WHO Member States have devised national digital health policies or strategies.
While the Covid-19 pandemic accentuated the use of digital health, many countries acknowledge the need for assistance in transitioning from pilot digital health projects to establishing comprehensive national digital health infrastructure.
Digital health’s potential is immense. It acts as an accelerator in achieving Universal Health Coverage and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Through digital interventions, individuals can manage their health and well-being effectively, healthcare providers can deliver high-quality care, and health systems can be fortified by streamlining supply chains and managing the workforce efficiently.
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