78th World Health Assembly Non-state Actor Constituency statement
This statement is made under Agenda 14 (Health in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development), on behalf of Amref Health Africa, Fondation Botnar, Global Self Care Federation, PATH, Population Council, PSI, Sightsavers, The Network: Towards Unity For Health, and Women Deliver, in collaboration with Transform Health (a coalition of 200+ organisations).
This year’s World Health Assembly takes place during a challenging time for global health, but also at an important juncture, with just five years left of the SDGs.
Achieving UHC goals will require innovative approaches to do more with less. The equitable, inclusive and rights-based digital transformation of health offers an important opportunity to do just that.
We welcome the inclusion of digital health in GPW14 and the recommendation of the EB to develop the next global strategy on digital health. We commend Member State commitments in the Global Digital Compact.
In taking these forward, including identifying priorities for the next UHC high-level meeting, Member States should prioritise bold action on digital health by:
- Improving investment – ensuring it is coordinated, aligned with national priorities, and designed for equity and sustainability. This requires better tracking of investment to improve transparency and accountability.
- Strengthening digital public infrastructure, connectivity, literacy, the enabling environment, and research and learning.
- Reducing barriers to effective use of digital tools, including addressing the gender digital divide and ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities
- Equipping a digitally-enabled health workforce.
- Strengthening national legislation and regulation governing health data, including through a global framework, as a step towards this.
- Facilitating meaningful engagement of civil society and marginalised communities in the digital transformation.
Digital health is a smart investment and can move us closer – and faster – towards our SDG goals by 2030.
We have a clear opportunity – and an obligation – to deliver health for all in the digital age.