Global Initiative on Digital Health
The world of healthcare is on the brink of a digital revolution, as highlighted by the recent launch of the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH). With the presence of the Union Health Minister and the Chief of the World Health Organization (WHO), this initiative seeks to integrate cutting-edge digital technologies into global healthcare systems, promising to reshape the way healthcare is delivered and accessed on a global scale.
This topic of “Global Initiative on Digital Health” is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination, which falls under General Studies Portion.
A Closer Look at GIDH
Pronunciation and Purpose
The acronym “GIDH” is pronounced as “guide,” symbolizing its role as a guiding force in the realm of digital health. At its core, GIDH aims to enhance global healthcare by seamlessly integrating digital technologies into existing healthcare systems.
WHO-Managed Network for Equitable Access
GIDH operates as a network managed by the World Health Organization (WHO), with the primary goal of ensuring equitable access to digital health resources worldwide. By doing so, GIDH addresses challenges such as the duplication of efforts and a product-focused approach to transformation.
Support for Global Strategy on Digital Health
GIDH is aligned with the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025, providing invaluable support in achieving its objectives. The initiative focuses on facilitating digital health transformation and offering technical assistance to countries, paving the way for a holistic approach to healthcare.
The Significance of GIDH
Key Deliverable: India’s G-20 Presidency
GIDH holds a pivotal role in India’s G-20 Presidency, highlighting its importance on the global stage. As a key deliverable under this presidency, the initiative showcases India’s commitment to driving positive change in the field of healthcare through digital innovation.
The Mechanism Behind GIDH
Objectives of GIDH
GIDH operates through a set of well-defined objectives that form the cornerstone of its functioning:
- Unifying Countries and Partners: The initiative aims to bring countries and partners together to achieve measurable outcomes. This involves the development of priority-driven investment plans that revolve around digital health transformation and technical support.
- Consolidating Evidence for Amplified Gains: GIDH strives to consolidate evidence to amplify the gains made in global digital health efforts. This also contributes to strengthening mutual accountability and assessing the impact of future investments.
- Aligning Efforts with Global Strategy: The initiative aligns its efforts with the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025. This entails providing technical assistance to develop and strengthen healthcare systems that adhere to global best practices, norms, and standards.
- Facilitating Digital Transformation: GIDH provides governments with the tools needed for digital transformation. These tools enable governments to effectively manage the process of transitioning to digital health systems.
