WHO launches digital health platform agreed upon in India's G2O presidency
- Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) initiated the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH).
- This is in alignment with one of the priority areas set during India’s G20 presidency in 2023.
Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH)
- It will serve as a platform for sharing knowledge and digital products among countries.
- It consists of four main components viz.
- Country needs tracker
- Country resource portal (a map of resources available in a country)
- Transformation toolbox for sharing quality-assured digital tools
- knowledge exchange platform
India's Commitments
- The Union Health Minister highlighted India's commitment to digital health and emphasized the significance of establishing an institutional framework for it.
- He said the platform will help in democratising digital health technologies, especially for countries of the Global South.
- He also mentioned India's Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission's efforts in creating an electronic health record system.
Digital Transformation Amid the Pandemic
- India’s representative to the UN, highlighted India's digital transformation during the pandemic.
- Including case tracking via digital platforms and managing a massive vaccination drive through the CoWIN platform.
- He emphasized the issuance of digital vaccination certificates and the success of initiatives like Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and E Sanjeevni teleconsultation platform.
WHO's Objectives and Support
- The WHO General director stated that GIDH will support countries in three ways
- By listening to their needs
- By aligning resources to avoid fragmentation and overlap
- By providing quality assured products
- He also stressed on the need for common standards and shared vision to prevent fragmentation and overlap in digital health tools.
Potential and Scope of Digital Health
- The Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union highlighted the vast potential of digital health.
- While nearly half the world's population lacks access to health services, nearly 90% have access to a 3G connection.
- This underscores the opportunity for leveraging digital technology to bridge gaps in healthcare access.
Prelims Takeaway
- Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH)
- Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
- World Health Organisation (WHO)