Overview of the Extension

During the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), member states have agreed to extend the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Strategy on Digital Health until 2027. This strategy, which was initially launched in 2020, aims to assist countries in adopting and scaling digital health tools to enhance care delivery, promote equity, and build resilience.

Key Objectives of the Strategy

The strategy focuses on several strategic objectives for advancing digital health both nationally and globally:

• Strengthening governance related to digital health technologies.
• Providing implementation guidance and governance tools to facilitate the adoption and scaling of digital health solutions.

Future Developments

The WHA has also endorsed the creation of a follow-up framework for a global digital health strategy covering the period from 2028 to 2033.

Progress Since Launch

Since the strategy’s inception, the WHO has reported significant advancements, including:

1. Establishment of national digital health strategies in 129 countries.
2. Training of over 1,600 government officials in more than 100 countries on digital health and AI.
3. Conducting digital health maturity assessments by 130 member states.
4. Launching the Global Digital Health Certification Network.
5. Issuing guidance on AI in health, along with workshops to support ethical AI implementation.
6. Forming government-to-government collaborations in four WHO regions, with 40 member states joining the Global Digital Health Partnership.

Statements from WHO Officials

Dr. Alain Labrique, director of WHO’s Department of Digital Health and Innovation, emphasized the importance of this extension, stating:

“This extension is not just about adding two more years—it’s about accelerating action. With a renewed mandate extending from 2028 to 2033, we are entering a critical phase where digital health must be purposefully scaled and equitably integrated into every health system. From AI to telehealth, we have the tools; now we must ensure they reach and benefit everyone.”

Broader Trends in Digital Health

The WHO has been actively promoting various initiatives in digital health, including:

• The upcoming release of the Digital Transformation Handbook for Primary Health Care in 2024, aimed at helping countries digitize health information.
• Version 2.0 of the Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Readiness Assessment Toolkit, which assists countries in evaluating their readiness for AI projects in public health.
• The launch of S.A.R.A.H, a generative AI assistant designed to provide information on key health topics, available in eight languages.

This extension of the Global Strategy on Digital Health reflects a commitment to enhancing health systems worldwide through digital innovation.