Bridging the Digital Divide: Securing More and Better Funding For the Digital Transformation of Health Systems

The digital transformation of health systems has the potential to improve health access and outcomes on an unprecedented scale. However, equity and closing the digital divide must be at the centre of that transformation. The Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025 calls for sustainable financing models as a key prerequisite for the implementation of countries’ national digital health strategies. The recent Lancet and Financial Times Commission report, Governing health futures 2030, recommends investing in the enablers of a digital transformation of public health and Universal Health Coverage (UHC), in line with costed country roadmaps.

Transform Health, together with the Joep Lange Institute, PATH/Digital Square, and regional and youth partners (AeHIN, RECAINSA, HELINA, ZIMAM and YET4H), are making the case for more and better investment in the inclusive, equitable and sustainable digital transformation of health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to meet the growing demand for digital innovations and the role they can play in improving health access. The Conceptual Framework that will be launched during the session provides an evidence-based approach to define priority areas for investment and the level of funding needed to support the financing of digital health transformation.

During the session, we will hear from a panel of experts on how additional, aligned funding in digital health can help accelerate UHC progress and the role of different stakeholders in advancing this agenda. The session will also address the experiences and challenges in funding digital health and explore how to guide and govern additional investment to the benefit of all.