The WHO said the pioneering effort is poised to reshape the healthcare landscape in the digital era, operating under the WHO’s purview as a network and platform

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the G20 India presidency have jointly announced the inauguration of the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH), pronounced “guide,” during the Health Minister’s Meeting at the G20 Summit hosted by the Government of India.

The WHO said the pioneering effort is poised to reshape the healthcare landscape in the digital era, operating under the WHO’s purview as a network and platform.

The GIDH will provide essential support for the execution of the Global Strategy on Digital Health spanning 2020–2025.

In its role as the strategy’s steward, WHO will harmonize global standards, exemplary practices, and resources, expediting the transformation of digital health systems.

“We thank the G20 countries and the India G20 Presidency for recognizing WHO’s distinctive role and strengths in this area and supporting the establishment of the new GIDH network,” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, lauded the G20 nations and the G20 Presidency of India for acknowledging WHO’s unique role and strengths in this domain. “Continued support and collaboration of the G20, development partners, and international organizations will be necessary to accomplish together what none of us can do alone. WHO is committed to working with countries to strengthen their capacities and to improve access to quality-assured digital solutions for a healthier, safer, fairer future,” he said.

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, India’s Union Health Minister, said the collaborative spirit of the G20 countries, not only recognized the significance of this endeavor but also collectively brought it to fruition. He said the establishment of the Global Initiative on Digital Health as a central achievement of India’s G20 Presidency.

WHO said since the inception of the first WHO resolution on E-health in 2005, which paved the way for the development and adoption of the WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health, over 120 WHO member states have formulated national digital health policies or strategies.

The WHO said although the COVID-19 pandemic boosted digital health utilization, many countries express the need for assistance in transitioning from product-focused and pilot digital health initiatives to establishing national digital health infrastructure, complete with appropriate governance, policy, and a competent health workforce capable of selecting, maintaining, and adapting digital health interventions.

The GIDH initiative is geared towards uniting countries and partners to achieve tangible outcomes through formulating priority-driven investment plans for digital health transformation and enhancing the transparency of digital health resources and reporting. It also includes supporting comprehensive government approaches to digital health governance within countries and amplifying technical and financial support for the implementation of the Global Strategy on Digital Health for 2020–2025 and its subsequent phase.

Digital health, according to the WHO, serves as a proven catalyst in advancing health outcomes towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

“Digital health interventions improve healthcare in many ways, from aiding individuals in managing their health and wellness journeys to enabling care providers to adhere to guidelines and deliver high-quality care, as well as fortifying health systems through enhanced supply chains and workforce management,” WHO said.