Digital health is increasingly recognized as a crucial tool for improving access, quality, and efficiency in health systems. Technologies such as telemedicine and electronic health records are reshaping how health services are planned, delivered, and evaluated. However, this digital transformation requires strong competencies in governance, strategic planning, interoperability, data security, and stakeholder engagement to ensure effective implementation.
To address these challenges, the WHO Academy is strengthening the capacities of Member States, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. In partnership with the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), WHO is delivering the Digital Health: Planning for National Systems (DHPNS) course for Francophone countries in the African (AFRO) and Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) regions. The course equips ministry leaders with the technical knowledge and planning tools needed to guide national digital health systems using an enterprise architecture approach. It has already reached over 200 participants from English-, French-, and Portuguese-speaking countries, reflecting its growing relevance and impact.
The course emphasizes that digital transformation in health systems requires more than just technology. Participants gain foundational concepts and planning tools to design and manage national digital health systems aligned with WHO and ITU frameworks. It is targeted at senior leaders from ministries of health, ICT, and finance, as well as key stakeholders such as donors, UN agencies, and implementing partners. By fostering a common understanding across sectors, the program strengthens collaboration and prepares participants for strategic engagement in digital health initiatives.
The training combines approximately 11 hours of self-paced online learning with 12 interactive live sessions of 90 minutes each, totaling 18 hours. These live sessions enable participants to work in small groups, share experiences, ask questions, and clarify key concepts. The interactive format fosters peer-to-peer learning and deepens understanding of the online content while promoting collaborative problem-solving in digital health planning.
Related Posts
