India is trying to bridge the digital health divide through technological innovation
India's digital products and infrastructure have a revolutionary potential for global economic growth and human development, Member (Health) NITI Aayog VK Paul said his keynote address to the G20 Health Working Group in Hyderabad on Monday (June 5, 2023).

Speaking at a panel discussion on 'Digital Health Innovations and Solutions to Aid Universal Health Coverage and Improve Healthcare Service Delivery,' Paul emphasized India's dedication to promoting universal health coverage and bridging the digital health divide through technological innovation.

Considering India to be the voice of the Global South, he reaffirmed Prime Minister Modi's goal of a digital India with high-quality healthcare available via e-healthcare even in the most rural areas.

The senior NITI Aayog official also stressed the vital role that digital technology may play in obtaining universal health care and successfully handling medical crises. He continued by saying that access to healthcare services for everybody, regardless of their location or socioeconomic position, is made possible through digital health.

Paul cited the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission as an example of an initiative that brings together a range of stakeholders, with the citizens at the center of its efforts.

Joining the conversation, President of Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Christopher Elias praised the G20 Presidency's focus on digital health. He emphasized on inclusion, fairness, and affordability as fundamental values, highlighting the essential role of digital technology in expediting the transition to universal health coverage and improving the provision of healthcare services.

Elias also emphasized the promise of digital health in low- and middle-income nations, as well as the enormous momentum it has recently garnered, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Director of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Department of Digital Health and Innovation Alain Labrique emphasized the value of digital health in bolstering primary healthcare systems, enhancing universal health coverage, and ensuring timely and pertinent data for decision-making and resource allocation.

He stressed the importance of equality, making sure that no one is left behind, and the fact that digital health is a tried-and-true method of achieving universal health objectives.

Labrique also noted how the pandemic has forced administrations all over the world to go from digital experimentation to digital transformation. In order to maximize investments, democratize access to building blocks, and improve response, he underlined the necessity for strategic investments and cross-border interchange of credential health information.

Furthermore, the Troika representatives from Brazil and Indonesia praised digital health as a potent instrument for attaining universal access to comprehensive healthcare.

They suggested cooperation between participating nations and important stakeholders, calling for the involvement of international organizations to assist nations in acclimating to the standards of the global digital health network. Their proposals included encouraging the growth of digital infrastructure, advancing digital education and literacy, and making sure that everyone can access digital health solutions.

In addition to praising the efforts, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan emphasized the three health goals of the G20 India Presidency. He emphasized the necessity of being ready for upcoming pandemics and urged group action under the banner of 'One Planet, One Family, One Future'.