This archive report was first published on 22 December 2019.
As the world grapples with the challenges of Universal Healthcare, a growing consensus is emerging that digital technologies hold the key to unlocking its promise. More by this Author
At the heart of this movement is the recognition that digital health – the convergence of information communication technologies and health – has the potential to break down the barriers to healthcare that have long plagued the sector. From improving efficiency and information sharing to increasing access to quality medical services, digital technologies are being hailed as a game-changer in the pursuit of Universal Healthcare.
As delegates at the World Health Assembly last year agreed, the development and use of digital technologies must be prioritized if we are to make meaningful progress towards achieving Universal Healthcare. And it's not just about the technology itself – it's about the opportunities it presents for innovation and collaboration across the health and ICT sectors.
But despite the promise of digital health, the current landscape is fraught with challenges. Fragmented systems, lack of funding, and inadequate skills among health workers are just a few of the obstacles that must be overcome if we are to realize the full potential of digital health.
However, the odds are in our favour. With mobile connections now standing at 7.6 billion globally, and the number of mobile health products and services doubling in the past five years in developing countries, the opportunities for innovation and collaboration are vast. And with more than 170,000 mobile applications for health services now available worldwide, the potential for digital health to transform the healthcare sector is clear.
As one expert notes, digital technology opens roads to numerous opportunities, and can take healthcare to the furthest and poorest communities – the very promise of Universal Healthcare.
