This year’s Global Digital Health Forum, held for the first time on the African continent, marked a significant milestone in our collective progress in the field. The forum, which convened an unprecedented number of people from low- and middle-income countries, provided an opportunity to discuss how digital health can transform health systems globally. As the forum closes, we’re reflecting on key takeaways from this vibrant exchange and exploring how JSI can continue to be involved in these efforts.
- Government leadership
For digital health to transform health systems, a foundation of trust is needed: trust that client data is secure and that digital health solutions will help health workers improve service delivery. To build this foundation, solutions need to be designed with and for African nations. Governments must guide the development of digital health infrastructure and ensure it aligns with local needs and values.
2. Partnerships and collaboration across sectors
One speaker highlighted the U.S.-Kenya partnerships in launching digital health innovations such as the Kenya electronic health records system for HIV and the master health facility list. These partnerships, which incorporate varying perspectives and expertise areas, can improve service delivery and ensure data are accessible and actionable for decision makers.
3. Building a digital health ecosystem: people-centered solutions
Over and over at the forum, we were reminded that people must be at the center of what we do. To increase the likelihood of acceptance and sustained use, digital tools and AI solutions must alleviate specific pain points that health care providers and patients face, align with existing workflows, and demonstrate other clear benefits such as enhanced diagnostic accuracy.
4. Digital literacy and inclusion
Many people have been excluded from digital health advancements and benefits due to technological barriers related to affordability, digital literacy, security, and access. As the USAID Digital Health Policy notes, the exclusion of women from progress in our field has cost the global economy $1 trillion. At the JSI panel on digital health transformation, Wesley Oghera of Kenya’s Ministry of Health spoke about building “digital highways” in Kenya that accommodate everyone, regardless of digital proficiency. His experience has taught him the importance of listening to end users and mentoring with patience and an understanding of how different individuals learn.
“We understand that digitization is growing and all of us are aligned on how important this growth is, but our future investments need to focus on end-user digital literacy. Indigenous communities and women, in particular, must be invited and involved.”
— Jonathan Metzger, director of the JSI Center for Digital Health
5. Robust infrastructure backed by seamless digital health architecture
Connectivity is a major barrier to realizing the full potential of digital health. Many forum participants called for greater investment in digital infrastructure, specifically architecture, to support innovation. The World Health Organization emphasizes that national digital health architectures and applications must be designed to integrate with existing health information systems seamlessly while remaining adaptable to evolving needs. These architectures should promote interoperability, enabling secure data exchange across health care ecosystems while being resilient to infrastructure challenges and cyber threats.
Innovations such as AI, machine learning, digital public infrastructure, and Starlink technology could significantly advance digital health by providing reliable access to remote areas and enabling better telehealth services, real-time patient monitoring, and efficient data management, facilitating improved health care delivery to underserved communities. By aligning digital health solutions with national standards, we can improve data quality, streamline workflows, and support data-driven decision-making. Ultimately, this integrated and future-looking approach strengthens a health system’s capacity to deliver equitable, accessible, and high-quality care to everyone who needs it.
JSI is working with governments, particularly in Africa, to ensure they are equipped to lead their own digital health transformation. Whether collaborating with governments in Kenya, Indonesia, or Ethiopia to strengthen health data systems, or partnering with local organizations to scale initiatives, JSI prioritizes partnerships to ensure digital health solutions are sustainable and inclusive. By engaging end users early in the design process, we can tailor solutions to meet their needs, fostering trust and ownership. Our human-centered approach to design, reimagined technical assistance, and strategies like community scorecards are a few examples of how we work to ensure success. JSI is committed to shaping the future of digital health by sharing contributions through avenues such as GDHF.
To find out more about JSI’s work in digital health, visit: https://www.jsi.com/expertise/digital-health/
