The European Commission and WHO launch landmark digital health initiative to strengthen global health security
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Loading... - Ervin Sera
- 08 Jun 2023
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The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission made an announcement today regarding the launch of a groundbreaking partnership in the field of digital health. In June 2023, the WHO will adopt the European Union's (EU) system of digital COVID-19 certification in order to establish a global system that facilitates international mobility and safeguards individuals worldwide from ongoing and future health threats, including pandemics. This marks the initial step towards the creation of the WHO Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN), which will develop a wide array of digital products aimed at delivering improved healthcare for everyone.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, stated, "Building upon the EU's highly successful digital certification network, WHO seeks to provide all WHO Member States with access to an open-source digital health tool that upholds the principles of equity, innovation, transparency, and data protection and privacy. The development of new digital health products aims to enhance people's access to quality healthcare services quickly and effectively, regardless of their location."
This initiative aligns with the EU Global Health Strategy and the WHO Global Strategy on digital health, following the agreement reached on November 30, 2022, between Commissioner Kyriakides and Dr. Tedros to strengthen strategic cooperation on global health matters. It further reinforces a robust multilateral system centered around the WHO and supported by a strong EU.
Stella Kyriakides, the Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, emphasized the importance of this partnership in advancing the EU Global Health Strategy's digital action plan. By leveraging European best practices, the collaboration contributes to global digital health standards and interoperability, particularly benefiting those in need. It serves as a powerful example of how alignment between the EU and the WHO can result in better healthcare outcomes for all, both within the EU and worldwide. As the leading authority in international health efforts, the WHO is the ideal partner to advance the work initiated by the EU and further develop global digital health solutions.
This partnership entails close collaboration in the development, management, and implementation of the WHO GDHCN system, capitalizing on the European Commission's extensive technical expertise in the field. The first step involves ensuring the continued effective functioning of the current EU digital certificates.
Thierry Breton, the Commissioner for Internal Market, acknowledged the EU's global standard-setting role through the EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate, which has been adopted by 80 countries and territories. Beyond its significance in the fight against the pandemic, the EU certificate has facilitated international travel and tourism. Breton expressed satisfaction that the WHO will build upon the privacy-preserving principles and cutting-edge technology of the EU certificate to create a global tool capable of addressing future pandemics.
The European Union's work in combating the COVID-19 pandemic has prominently featured digital COVID-19 certificates. These certificates were swiftly implemented by the EU to enable free movement within its borders. Termed the "EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate" or "EU DCC," the system facilitated interoperability and also allowed non-EU countries to connect by issuing certificates that adhere to EU DCC specifications. Consequently, the EU DCC became the most widely adopted solution worldwide, leveraging open-source technologies and standards.
From the outset of the pandemic, the WHO engaged with all its regional bodies to establish comprehensive guidelines for such certificates. To enhance global health preparedness in the face of escalating health threats, the WHO is establishing a global digital health certification network that builds upon the solid foundations of the EU DCC framework, principles, and open technologies. Through this collaboration, the WHO aims to facilitate this process on a global scale within its own structure, enabling the world to benefit from the convergence of digital certificates. This includes setting standards and validating digital signatures to prevent fraud. Importantly, the WHO will not have access to any personal data, as that will remain the exclusive domain of governments.
The first phase of the global WHO system will become operational in June 2023 and will be progressively developed in the following months.
In order to promote the adoption, operation, and further development of the EU DCC by the WHO, both organizations have entered into a long-term partnership in digital health. This partnership will focus on the technical development of the WHO system, incorporating additional use cases in a phased approach. For instance, it may include digitizing the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. Expanding such digital solutions will be crucial in delivering improved healthcare to individuals worldwide.
This cooperation is built upon shared values and principles, including transparency, openness, inclusiveness, accountability, data protection and privacy, security, global scalability, and equity. The WHO and the European Commission will collaborate to encourage widespread global adoption and participation, with particular attention given to ensuring equitable opportunities for the involvement of low and middle-income countries.
