From infrastructure to impact: why foundations matter in digital health
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World Health Organization
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This editorial discusses the importance of foundational digital public infrastructure as a prerequisite for effective and equitable digital health transformation. Drawing lessons from global health challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, antimicrobial resistance and climate change, it argues that investments in digital identity systems, payment platforms, data exchange mechanisms and governance frameworks are essential for resilient health systems. While many countries have developed national digital health strategies, successful implementation depends on sustained political commitment, local governance capacity, public trust and long-term investment.
The article highlights how countries with mature digital health ecosystems were better able to respond to public health emergencies through real-time surveillance, remote care and coordinated service delivery, whereas fragmented systems faced significant limitations. It reviews ongoing efforts led by the World Health Organization, including the Global Initiative on Digital Health, and presents examples of national leadership in digital health governance and infrastructure development. The editorial emphasizes that digital transformation requires more than the digitization of existing processes; it involves redesigning health services to improve access, quality and patient-centred care. Increased financing and strengthened governance are identified as critical to ensuring inclusive, sustainable and impactful digital health systems worldwide.
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