The World Health Organization (WHO) has initiated a collaborative effort to accelerate the digital transformation of healthcare systems across its European member states
Known as the Strategic Partners’ Initiative for Data and Digital Health (SPI-DDH), this network brings together 53 countries alongside leading stakeholders from academia, innovators, and civil society groups.
Strategic Partners’ Initiative for Data and Digital Health
The primary objective of SPI-DDH is to enhance the adoption of digital healthcare solutions, providing a platform for countries to learn from each other and engage in developing future healthcare delivery scenarios.
The initiative is aligned with WHO’s Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025, focusing on using digital technologies to improve health outcomes and ensure equitable access to healthcare innovations.
Digital transformation in healthcare
Key challenges identified in the region include inadequate funding, implementation hurdles, and governance issues related to digital transformation in health systems.
A recent report by WHO highlighted that only a fraction of national health budgets, up to 2% in some countries, is allocated to digital transformation efforts. There is a significant gap in policies addressing the use of big data and advanced analytics in healthcare, with only 35% of member states having these frameworks.
To address these challenges, SPI-DDH has established four specialised working groups. These groups will focus on unlocking healthcare capacity through digitalisation and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), integrating data and digital technologies into home-based healthcare and prevention strategies, fostering interoperability through an ecosystem approach to standards, and strengthening public health, particularly focusing on mental health and healthcare workforce support.
Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO’s Regional Director for Europe, emphasised the importance of multisectoral collaboration in achieving the full potential of digital health and data. He highlighted the need for a dialogue that engages diverse stakeholders to ensure that health systems uphold values of equity and human rights in the digital age.
The launch event, held in Copenhagen, Denmark, marked the beginning of what WHO envisions as a transformative journey towards person-centred, digitally-enabled health systems. Dr. Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of WHO/Europe’s Division of Country Health Policies and Systems, expressed confidence in the initiative’s ability to foster robust healthcare systems that meet the needs of all communities across Europe.
Moving forward, SPI-DDH aims to drive its agenda based on member states’ priorities and the latest scientific evidence, reinforcing WHO’s commitment to advancing digital health strategies in the European Region. By addressing current gaps and leveraging digital innovations, the initiative aims to overcome barriers and ensure that digital technologies contribute effectively to improving healthcare delivery and outcomes for all.
