A high-level inter-ministerial round table on Digital Health was held on 24 May in Geneva, Switzerland, bringing together for the first time Ministers of Telecommunication/ICT and Ministers of Health to exchange views on how policies and cross-sectoral collaboration between the two sectors can foster innovation to improve the quality, equity and accessibility of health services.
The Ministers discussed the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to improve universal health coverage, provide strategic opportunities for the full adoption of digital technology in the health sector and to promote cross sectoral collaboration, among others.
The round table meeting, which was a formal side event of the 69th World Health Assembly, was opened by ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao and the World Health Organization Director-General Dr Margaret Chan.
The round table was preceded on Monday, 23 May by a high-level policy dialogue on digital health, attended by Ministers of Telecommunication/ICT as well as stakeholders from the private sector and non-governmental organizations in both health and telecommunication/ICT sectors. The meeting was held within the framework of ITU's m-Powering Development Initiative, under the theme "Digital Health for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All".
Participants examined how ICTs can be a game changer to support the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals on health and universal health coverage, the impact of the Internet of Things (IOT), social media and big data in transforming health care.
"The rapid growth of global interconnectivity through ICTs is opening new perspectives to help patients access better health and to provide new solutions and avenues for disease prevention, care and control," said Brahima Sanou. "With more than 7.1 billion mobile subscriptions worldwide, we have an enormous opportunity to improve on the delivery of health care, especially in rural and remote areas."
He added, "in a world where health systems are facing increasing pressure to improve quality, accessibility and affordability, incorporating ICTs in health delivery systems will definitely bring value. By using ICTs we can break the inequities that exist in health coverage so that no one is left behind."
Mr Sanou observed that ICTs are putting in place some of the key building blocks for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and urged the telecommunication and health care sectors to work closely together to gain full benefits of ICTs for health.
He called for increased investment in telecommunication infrastructure especially mobile communication and Broadband, "to connect health facilities and ensure that the same level of information reach all health professionals, patients and citizens regardless of where they are."
During the meeting, several private sector participants exhibited innovative ways in which they were integrating ICTs in the provision of health care solutions and services.
