Presently, the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region is a region where the acceleration pace of the digital transformation within healthcare is highly facilitated, as indicated by a recently published progress report prepared by WHO/Europe pertaining to the Regional Digital Health Action Plan for 2023–2030, which encompasses all 18 focus areas. The aim of this action plan would be driving innovation through enhancing access to care with strengthened health systems across the region of Europe.
Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, also highlighted the foundational work of the first two years in the plan and added that “technology has the potential to transform health care. Our goal is that it should be transformative in an equitable and beneficial manner for all.” He said, “The commitment of Member States is growing.” It is an important collaboration to achieve this critical initiative.
The action plan, endorsed in September 2022 by all 53 Member States, should leverage digital tools to optimize health outcomes. WHO/Europe has made significant advancements in many strategic priorities in the region, such as establishing norms for digital health, improving governance and digital literacy, promoting innovation, and finding scalable, patient-centered digital solutions.
Pursuing evidence-based guidance, WHO/Europe collaborated with countries, international organizations, academic institutions, and civil society in producing 14 technical publications over the past two years. These include assessments of digital transformation across the Region and research on topics such as AI, telemedicine, digital health literacy, equity, and the implementation of digital tools.
Decoding Data and Digital Health” webinar series, which has already gained significant support from organizations. Second WHO Symposium on the Future of Health Systems in a Digital Era is one such endeavor, along with a new Strategic Partners’ Initiative for Data and Digital Health bringing together over 100 institutions across 24 countries to tackle head-on the challenges of digitalization in health systems.
From 2022, more investments were made to enhance the health information systems and services related to telemedicine within rural settings. The needs of 15 countries can be seen today. WHO has launched the European Geospatial Coordination Hub in 2023 which looks to enhance the health geospatial data to enable the countries to benefit effectively.
Looking ahead, WHO/Europe will further the work with countries and stakeholders at its third year of this action plan. Research focuses will include the role of digital health in climate sustainability, issues related to antimicrobial resistance, gender-related matters, and healthy aging. Areas of exploration will involve AI, with a view towards a regional report and, therefore, the establishment of a technical advisory group ensuring its safe implementation.
Read More: Click Here
