New Delhi: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, virtually addressed the public launch event of the World Health Organization’s Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH). All G20 countries, invited countries, and international organizations unanimously adopted the GIDH, launching it collectively as a key deliverable of India’s G20 Presidency during the Health Ministers’ Meeting in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on 19 August 2023.
During the session, Dr. Mandaviya affirmed that the collaboration with the WHO on the GIDH demonstrates the shared commitment towards transforming the digital health ecosystem. He highlighted the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration of the G20 Summit, which under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, welcomed the establishment of GIDH within the framework of the WHO.
Dr. Mandaviya emphasized that the GIDH will democratize digital health technologies in national digital health transformation, particularly in the Global South, and stressed the importance of strong regional cooperation for its success. He urged the WHO-SEARO (Southeast Asia Region) Director to implement the GIDH in the region.
The Union Health Minister showcased India’s groundbreaking digital health transformations, particularly through the flagship Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, which promotes healthcare digitization and creates an interoperable digital ecosystem.
He reiterated India’s unwavering support for the GIDH and urged all member countries to join hands to strengthen the global digital health framework, empowering countries in their journey towards ensuring universal health coverage.
Background:
The Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) was launched by the WHO and the Government of India during the G20 Health Ministerial Meeting in Gandhinagar, India, on 19 August 2023. GIDH, as a WHO Managed Network (“Network of Networks”), aims to consolidate and amplify recent and past gains in global digital health while strengthening mutual accountability. It serves as a vehicle for implementing the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025, acting as a knowledge hub and neutral broker to align resources and efforts towards establishing digital public infrastructure for health, a critical enabler for the achievement of sustainable and evidence-based national digital health transformation.