Digital transformation in the healthcare sector is experiencing unprecedented acceleration. Nations are increasingly turning to digital solutions to improve care and ensure greater equity. This evolution is now supported by ambitious global strategies.
Since its launch in 2020, the WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health has guided many countries in the adoption and deployment of digital tools aimed at optimizing care delivery, enhancing equity, and bolstering health system resilience. In 2023, at the 78th World Health Assembly, member states approved an extension of this initiative until 2027, marking a key milestone in integrating digital technologies at the heart of health policies. This strategy emphasizes strategic objectives aimed at advancing digital health both nationally and globally, including strengthening governance around these technologies.
The progress made since the launch of the strategy is remarkable. To date, 129 countries have established their own national digital health strategies, demonstrating a global commitment to this transformation. Furthermore, over 1,600 government officials from more than 100 countries have benefited from training in digital health and artificial intelligence, thereby strengthening local capacities. At the same time, 130 member states have conducted digital health maturity assessments, allowing them to measure and improve their levels of preparedness.
WHO has also launched the Global Digital Health Certification Network, a key initiative to standardize and validate competencies and technologies in this field. Additionally, guidelines on the use of AI in health have been issued, accompanied by workshops dedicated to the ethical implementation of artificial intelligence in the health systems of various member countries. Government collaboration, focused on digital health, has been strengthened in four regions of WHO, with 40 member states joining the Global Partnership for Digital Health.
According to Dr. Alain Labrique, director of the WHO Department of Digital Health and Innovation, “This extension is not just about adding two additional years — it is about accelerating action. With a renewed mandate extending from 2028 to 2033, we are entering a critical phase where digital health must be deployed intentionally and integrated equitably into every health system. From AI to telehealth, we have the tools; now we must ensure that they reach and benefit everyone.”
Moreover, WHO continues to launch numerous initiatives to strengthen digital health. In 2024, it published the Digital Transformation Manual for Primary Health Care, a roadmap aimed at helping countries digitize their health information to improve the delivery of health services. Version 2.0 of its AI Readiness Assessment Tool for Public Health has also been unveiled, highlighting how countries can assess their capacity to integrate AI projects into their public health strategies, in collaboration with the IDB and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Furthermore, WHO announced the launch of S.A.R.A.H, or Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health, a generative AI assistant designed to provide information on major health topics such as healthy lifestyle habits and mental health. Available in eight languages and accessible on all devices, this AI prototype addresses diseases such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes, thus providing valuable support for both healthcare professionals and the general public.
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Extension of the Global Digital Health Strategy until 2027
The recent decision of the World Health Assembly (WHA) to extend the global digital health strategy of the World Health Organization (WHO) until 2027 marks a crucial step in the evolution of global health systems. Initially launched in 2020, this strategy aims to guide countries in the adoption and development of digital tools designed to improve care delivery, equity, and health system resilience. This extension demonstrates WHO’s ongoing commitment to strengthening digital health on an international scale.
What are the strategic objectives of WHO’s digital strategy?
The WHO digital strategy focuses on several key objectives to advance digital health both nationally and globally. One of the main pillars is strengthening governance around digital health technologies. This includes developing robust regulatory frameworks and establishing international standards to ensure interoperability and data security.
Additionally, the strategy emphasizes the equitable integration of digital tools across all health systems, ensuring that innovations benefit all populations, regardless of their geographical or economic circumstances. Tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) and telehealth are at the heart of this initiative, offering solutions to enhance disease management, optimize medical resources, and facilitate access to care.
What progress has been made since the strategy was launched in 2020?
Since the launch of the strategy in 2020, significant progress has been made. To date, 129 countries have established national digital health strategies, reflecting a global commitment to the digital transformation of health systems. Over 1,600 government officials in more than 100 countries have received training in digital health and AI, thereby enhancing local capacities to adopt these technologies.
Furthermore, 130 member states have conducted digital maturity assessments in the health sector, identifying areas needing improvement and prioritizing investments. WHO has also launched the Global Digital Health Certification Network, an initiative aimed at standardizing and validating digital tools used in healthcare.
What is the expected impact of the extension until 2027?
The extension of the strategy until 2027 is not merely a temporal extension but an opportunity to accelerate actions already taken. Dr. Alain Labrique, director of the WHO Department of Digital Health and Innovation, emphasizes that this extension allows for “moving into the critical phase where digital health must be deployed intentionally and integrated equitably into every health system.”
With a new mission extending until 2033, WHO aims to deepen the integration of technologies such as AI and telehealth, ensuring they are accessible to all. This initiative will also support the development of ethical frameworks for the use of AI in health, ensuring that innovations respect patients’ rights and dignity.
What are the key initiatives of WHO in the field of digital health?
WHO has launched several initiatives to support global digital health. In 2024, it published the Digital Transformation Manual for Primary Health Care, a roadmap intended to help countries digitize their health information and improve the delivery of health services. This publication provides practical guidelines for the implementation of effective and integrated health information systems.
Moreover, WHO has unveiled the version 2.0 of its AI readiness assessment toolkit for public health, in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). This toolkit helps countries assess their readiness to integrate AI projects into their public health strategies, facilitating a more structured and strategic adoption of these technologies.
In addition, WHO has launched S.A.R.A.H (Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health), a generative AI assistant designed to provide information on major health topics such as healthy lifestyle habits and mental health. Available in eight languages and accessible on all devices, S.A.R.A.H addresses critical areas such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes, providing easy access to reliable and up-to-date information.
How does international collaboration support digital health?
Collaboration among governments is a fundamental pillar of WHO’s digital strategy. Four regions of WHO have established government partnerships focused on digital health, and 40 member states have joined the Global Partnership for Digital Health. These collaborations facilitate the sharing of best practices, development of common standards, and implementation of joint projects that enhance the digital capacities of health systems.
For example, the Digital Trust Space has become a pillar of cybersecurity in the medical technology sector, ensuring that patient data is protected and that health systems are resilient against cyber threats. These initiatives demonstrate the importance of a collaborative approach to overcoming the complex challenges associated with implementing digital health at scale.
What are the upcoming challenges and opportunities for digital health?
As digital health continues to evolve, several challenges must be overcome to ensure effective and equitable adoption. One of the main challenges is data security, which requires robust frameworks to protect sensitive patient information and ensure confidentiality.
Another challenge is the integration of digital technologies into existing health systems, which can be complex and requires tight coordination among various stakeholders. However, these challenges also open significant opportunities. Continued innovation in AI and telehealth can transform the way care is delivered, making healthcare services more accessible and personalized.
Additionally, the increase in budget allocated to digital health, as mentioned in the 2025 budget increase, provides additional leeway to invest in innovative projects and develop robust digital infrastructures. These investments are critical to support the growth and sustainability of long-term digital health initiatives.
How is digital health revolutionizing the medical sector?
Digital health represents a true technological revolution in the service of medicine. It not only improves the efficiency of care but also personalizes treatments through advanced data analytics. Digital tools, such as telehealth applications and connected devices, facilitate continuous monitoring of patients’ health, allowing for early interventions and reducing hospitalizations.
Artificial intelligence also plays a key role in helping healthcare professionals diagnose more quickly and accurately. For example, AI algorithms can analyze medical images to detect abnormalities that may go unnoticed by the human eye. This synergy between technology and medical expertise not only improves patient outcomes but also optimizes the use of medical resources.
Furthermore, digital health promotes greater collaboration among healthcare professionals worldwide, facilitating the sharing of knowledge and collaborative research efforts. This leads to faster advancements in the development of innovative treatments and medical solutions, thus meeting the growing demands of public health.
The extension of the global digital health strategy until 2027, approved at the 78th World Health Assembly, marks a crucial step in the evolution of health systems on a global scale. This decision reflects the ongoing commitment of member states to enhance the adoption and expansion of digital tools, essential for improving the quality of care, ensuring equity, and strengthening the resilience of health infrastructures.
Since its launch in 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) strategy has achieved significant progress, including the establishment of 129 national digital health strategies and the training of over 1,600 government officials in digital health and AI. These initiatives have not only strengthened countries’ capacities to integrate digital technologies into their health systems, but they have also fostered increased international collaboration, as evidenced by the participation of 40 member states in the Global Partnership for Digital Health.
The extension of the strategy until 2027 also paves the way for the development of a monitoring framework for the period 2028-2033, highlighting the importance of thoughtfully and equitably scaling digital innovations. According to Dr. Alain Labrique, director of the WHO Department of Digital Health and Innovation, this extension is not merely a temporal extension but a necessary acceleration of actions to ensure that digital tools, such as AI and telemedicine, benefit all patients, regardless of their geographic location or resources.
Moreover, WHO’s recent initiatives, such as the Global Digital Health Certification Network and the development of S.A.R.A.H, demonstrate a clear commitment to promoting the ethics and preparedness of health systems in response to challenges posed by new technologies. In summary, this extension of the global digital health strategy confirms the commitment of the international community to sustainably transform healthcare through digital innovation, paving the way for a more connected, intelligent, and inclusive health system for all.
