World Health Assembly Approves Extension of Global Digital Health Strategy to 2027 and Greenlights Next Phase for 2028–2033
In a landmark decision underscoring the accelerating global commitment to digital health, Member States at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly (WHA78) have formally approved the extension of the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025 until 2027. Furthermore, the Assembly authorized the World Health Organization (WHO) to commence the development of a new Global Strategy on Digital Health covering the period from 2028 to 2033. This strategic extension and planning phase aims to synchronize with emerging international digital cooperation frameworks, including the United Nations’ Pact for the Future and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thereby reinforcing digital health as a pivotal tool in global health system transformation.
The Growing Significance of Digital Health in Global Health Systems
The original Global Strategy on Digital Health, endorsed at the Seventy-third World Health Assembly in 2020, marked a defining moment in global public health. It laid the foundation for advancing equitable, resilient, and people-centred health systems worldwide through the strategic adoption of digital technologies. Over the past three years, this strategy has catalyzed substantial progress across all six WHO regions, facilitating innovation and enhancing healthcare delivery through digital transformation.
The decision to extend the Strategy through 2027 reflects a recognition of digital health’s indispensable role in achieving health equity and resilience. The past years have demonstrated how digital tools—from telemedicine to artificial intelligence—can transform health service accessibility, quality, and efficiency. This momentum has only intensified during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed vulnerabilities in health systems and underscored the urgent need for digital solutions to maintain continuity of care, strengthen surveillance, and support rapid response capabilities.
Key Achievements Under the Initial Strategy
Since the Strategy’s inception in 2020, WHO and its Member States have made remarkable strides:
- National Digital Health Strategies: A total of 129 countries have now developed and are implementing comprehensive national digital health strategies, tailored to their unique contexts. These strategies guide the integration of digital technologies into health systems, focusing on equity, interoperability, and sustainability.
- Capacity Building: More than 1,600 government officials from over 100 countries have participated in specialized training programs on digital health and artificial intelligence (AI). This capacity-building effort empowers policymakers and implementers to leverage digital tools ethically and effectively.
- Global Digital Health Certification Network: This transformative initiative has been launched, providing standards and certification mechanisms to ensure the quality and safety of digital health products and services. The network currently benefits approximately 1.8 billion people across 80 countries, facilitating trust and adoption of digital health innovations.
- Ethics and Governance of AI in Health: Recognizing AI’s growing role, WHO has issued critical guidance addressing the ethical use and governance of AI in health settings. This includes the publication of the “Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence for Health” framework, complemented by global workshops designed to support Member States in applying these principles responsibly.
- Digital Health Maturity Assessments: To benchmark progress, 130 Member States have conducted digital health maturity assessments using WHO’s Global Digital Health Monitor. These assessments provide data-driven insights into countries’ digital health capabilities, infrastructure, and governance readiness.
- Strengthened Government-to-Government Collaboration: Across four WHO regions, government-to-government partnerships have been fostered, with 40 Member States actively participating in the Global Digital Health Partnership. This collaborative platform enhances knowledge sharing, joint problem-solving, and coordinated action.
- Multi-Stakeholder Global Collaboration: WHO has spearheaded multiple initiatives in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the African Union, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and other key partners. The WHO Innovation Hub and regional digital health frameworks exemplify these concerted efforts to scale digital health solutions globally.
A Vision for 2028–2033: Scaling Up and Sustaining Digital Health Impact
Dr. Alain Labrique, Director of WHO’s Department of Digital Health and Innovation, emphasized that the extension is more than a mere timeline adjustment. “This extension is not just about adding two more years—it’s about accelerating action,” he stated. “With a renewed mandate extending from 2028 to 2033, we are entering a critical phase where digital health must be purposefully scaled and equitably integrated into every health system. From AI to telehealth, we have the tools; now we must ensure they reach and benefit everyone.”
Looking ahead, the next phase of the Global Strategy on Digital Health will prioritize:
- Equitable Access: Ensuring that digital health innovations reduce rather than widen health disparities, particularly for marginalized and underserved populations.
- Integration into Universal Health Coverage (UHC): Embedding digital health tools within the broader framework of UHC to improve access, quality, and affordability of care.
- Pandemic Preparedness and Response: Leveraging digital technologies for real-time surveillance, early warning, and rapid response to health emergencies.
- Climate-Resilient Health Systems: Harnessing digital solutions to enhance health system adaptability and resilience in the face of climate change impacts.
- Ethical and Sustainable Digital Transformation: Maintaining high standards for data privacy, security, and ethical governance, alongside environmentally sustainable technology adoption.
Aligning Digital Health with Global Agendas
The strategy’s extension also seeks to align digital health efforts with overarching global initiatives such as the UN’s Pact for the Future and the SDGs. This alignment ensures that digital health contributes directly to multiple goals, including good health and well-being (SDG 3), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), and industry innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9).
By embedding digital health within these global frameworks, WHO and its Member States reaffirm their commitment to leveraging technology as a force multiplier in advancing global health equity and sustainable development.
Global Digital Health in Context: Challenges and Opportunities
While the progress to date is promising, significant challenges remain. Digital divides in infrastructure, digital literacy, and access to reliable internet connectivity persist, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Concerns around data privacy, security, and ethical use of AI require vigilant governance and international cooperation. Additionally, ensuring interoperability of digital health systems across borders and health sectors is critical for realizing seamless patient care and data sharing.
The extension and future strategy phase offer an opportunity to address these challenges through coordinated action, capacity building, and innovation-friendly policies. Investments in digital infrastructure, workforce training, and multi-sector partnerships will be vital to maximize the benefits of digital health technologies.
A Collective Commitment to Digital Health Transformation
The WHA78’s endorsement of the strategy extension and the approval of the next phase send a powerful message: the global health community is united in its vision of a digitally empowered health future. This commitment requires sustained political will, funding, and collaborative efforts from governments, international organizations, private sector partners, civil society, and communities.
Digital health is no longer a futuristic concept—it is an essential pillar of health systems capable of responding to today’s challenges and tomorrow’s uncertainties. Through this renewed global strategy, WHO and its Member States are laying the groundwork for a future where digital innovations are accessible, ethical, and impactful, improving the lives of billions worldwide.
