The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission have announced the start of an important collaboration in the field of digital health. In a statement on Monday, they said the partnership served as the first foundation for WHO's Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN). According to Ms Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, this partnership marks a crucial milestone in the EU Global Health Strategy’s digital action plan. Kyriakides added that this partnership will contribute to the development, management and implementation of the WHO GDHCN system, contributing to the expertise of the European Commission in this area. He said that the first step is to ensure that the EU digital certification service is continuous and effective.
The announcement states that in June 2023, the WHO will adopt the European COVID-19 Digital Certification Scheme to establish a global system that facilitates international travel and protects individuals and the environment the world against current and future health threats, including infectious diseases. Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, the director of the WHO, emphasized that the goal of the new digital health product being developed is to make people around the world have access to quality health services quickly and efficiently. WHO intends to provide all its members with access to open digital health tools, guided by the principles of accuracy, innovation, transparency and data security.
The statement went on to state that the plan is based on the EU and WHO global health plan on digital health, following the agreement made on November 30, 2022. The two organizations are committed to strengthening their cooperation in global health problems, strengthening the multilateral system with WHO at its heart, supporting the EU strongly. Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton pointed out that the EU's digital certificate COVID-19 has created a global standard in connection with 80 countries and territories. Breton pointed out that the EU certification worked not only to fight the disease, but also to support international travel and tourism. He expressed satisfaction that the WHO relies on the privacy protection principles of EU documents and modern technology to create a global tool against future epidemics. The announcement highlighted that the digital COVID certificate is a key part of the European Union's efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the EU quickly set up a collaborative COVID-19 certificate, known as the "EU Digital COVID Certificate" or "EU DCC", to facilitate free movement within its borders. Using open technology and standards, the EU DCC has provided a network of non-EU countries that provide certification according to its specifications, becoming a globally accepted solution.
-saiyna-bashir-964.jpg?sfvrsn=d1692e29_3)
“By using European best practices we contribute to digital health standards and interoperability globally to the benefit of those most in need. “It is also a powerful example of how alignment between the EU and the WHO can deliver better health for all, in the EU and across the world. “ As the directing and coordinating authority on international health work, there is no better partner than the WHO to advance the work we started at the EU. “It will further develop global digital health solutions,’’ Kyriakides said.
