As we approach the 77th World Health Assembly (#WHA77) – taking place from 27th May to 1st June – Transform Health and our 150+ partners are calling on WHO Member States to take decisive action towards:
- Stronger health data governance through the development and endorsement of a global framework
- Increased and better-coordinated digital health investment through improved prioritisation, tracking and reporting
Ask 1: Support the development and endorsement of a global health data governance framework
The digitalisation of health systems globally has led to a significant increase in the production, usage, and storage of health data. To fully leverage the potential of health data for public benefit and improved health outcomes, while also managing risks and protecting individual rights, it’s essential to strengthen health data governance through more effective legislation and regulation. While some countries and regions are already taking steps in this direction, collaboration among countries and stakeholders can help build on these experiences and establish consensus and harmonisation around common standards, to help strengthen national frameworks. This can be facilitated through the development and government endorsement of a global health data governance framework. Towards this end, Transform Health and partners (including HELINA, AeHIN, RECAINCA, OECD and as part of the Africa CDC Flagship Initiative on Health Data Governance) are supporting the development of a Model Law on Health Data Governance, which could form the basis of a global framework.
There is already growing political momentum for a global health data governance framework. At last year’s World Health Assembly, several governments co-hosted and participated in a side-event with us on the need for action on this issue. Additionally, several governments have written to WHO on the issue and have endorsed the Health Data Governance Principles, which underpin the model law.
Government leadership on this agenda is now critical. We urge Member States to demonstrate support during #WHA77 by:
- Co-hosting and speaking at the World Health Assembly side event on health data governance on the 28th of May, at 18:30-20:00 in Geneva.
- Prioritising health data governance and expressing support for the development and endorsement of a global health data governance framework that sets out a Model Health Data Governance Law – during official proceedings (individually and as part of regional groups).
- Endorsing the equity-and-rights-based health data governance principles, which can lay the foundation for a global framework.
Ask 2: Support improved prioritisation, tracking and reporting of digital health investment
In 2022, Transform Health published a conceptual framework to guide digital health investment, recognising its critical role in accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage. The report highlighted key challenges to digital health transformation, including insufficient domestic and external funding, coupled with a lack of information about levels of funding and resource needs. The lack of information poses a barrier to mobilising resources; to more effective donor coordination; to better alignment with country priorities and needs; and to ensuring funding prioritises the right areas to ensure an equitable, inclusive and sustainable digital health transformation.
During WHA77, Transform Health and our partners urge Member States to support improved prioritisation, tracking and reporting of digital health investment including:
- Prioritising digital health investment as part of national plans and strategies to strengthen health systems and deliver UHC.
- Improving the classification and tracking of digital health investment as part of existing mechanisms and UHC reporting, including through a co-designed digital health investment taxonomy and other tools .
Transform Health at #WHA77
SIDE EVENT
At the side-lines of WHA, Transform Health and partners will bring together country leadership and experts to build political will and consensus around what is needed to strengthen health data governance, including the role of a model law. The session is co-hosted by the Ministries of Health of Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, together with Transform Health, Africa CDC, OECD, WHO, the Health Data Collaborative, Fondation Botnar, Asia eHealth Information Network (AeHIN), the Pan African Health Informatics Association (HELINA) and RECAINSA. The event will take place on the 28th of May at 18:30-20:00 at the InterContinental Hotel. If you will be in Geneva, visit the event page to learn more and to register your interest to attend in person. Alternatively, register here to watch the event online.
WORKSHOPS AND OTHER EVENTS
Transform Health, PATH, Health.Enabled and Young Experts: Tech for Health is also organising a co-creation workshop (invite only) to consult stakeholders on a digital health investment checklist and investment taxonomy, to gather feedback and build consensus on its content and use to strengthen equitable and sustainable investment and harness the potential of digital transformation of health to achieve UHC. The event will take place on the 30th of May at 10.30am – 12.00pm at Campus Biotech.
Transform Health, Speak Up Africa, White Ribbon Alliance and Young Experts: Tech for Health will present a gender and digital health policy brief and facilitate a discussion around key issues, opportunities and priorities to build consensus, forge a joint vision, and strengthen collaboration around digital health as a catalyst to advance gender equity and accelerate progress towards UHC. This workshop will take place on the 30th of May at 8.30 – 10.00am at Campus Biotech.
Transform Health will also contribute to the Global Initiative on Digital Health’s (GIDH) convening of the Multi-stakeholder Dialogue on National Digital Health Transformation session, during the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20 Forum High-Level Event, speaking on the topics of digital health investment and health data governance.