The World Health Assembly (WHA) has made a significant move to advance digitized health systems by extending the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025 through to 2027. Additionally, Member States have approved a decision for the development of a new Global Strategy on Digital Health for 2028-2033, ensuring alignment with efforts such as the UN Pact for the Future and the Sustainable Development Goals.
# Key Highlights of the Extended Strategy
– *Accelerating Action*:
The extension is not just about adding two more years; it’s about accelerating action to purposefully scale and equitably integrate digital health into every health system.
– *Significant Progress*:
Since the strategy’s launch, numerous progress has been made, including 129 countries establishing national digital health strategies and over 1,600 government officials receiving digital health and AI training.
– *Global Collaboration*:
The WHO has launched the Global Digital Health Certification Network, and government-to-government collaboration on digital health has been established in four WHO regions, with 40 member states joining the Global Digital Health Partnership.
# New Global Strategy for 2028-2033
The new strategy will build on the successes of the current strategy and focus on:
– *Equitable Digital Health Implementation*:
Ensuring that digital health is integrated into every health system, reaching everyone, everywhere.
– *Artificial Intelligence in Health*:
Issuing guidance on AI in health and supporting member states in ethical AI implementation.
– *Digital Health Maturity Assessments*:
Conducting assessments to evaluate the readiness of health systems to adopt digital health solutions.
# Impact on Global Health
The extended strategy and new framework will have a significant impact on global health, enabling:
– *Improved Health Outcomes*:
By leveraging digital health solutions, countries can improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance the overall quality of care.
– *Increased Access to Healthcare*:
Digital health can increase access to healthcare services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where healthcare resources are limited.
– *Enhanced Health System Resilience*:
By integrating digital health into health systems, countries can build more resilient health systems that can better respond to emerging health challenges.
# Quotes from WHO Director:
“With a renewed mandate extending from 2028 to 2033, we are entering a critical phase where digital health must be purposefully scaled and equitably integrated into every health system,” said Dr. Alain Labrique, director of WHO’s Department of Digital Health and Innovation .
