“Digitalisation as a Driver for Sustainable and Resilient Global Health”
In October 2023, the two-day Future of Health Summit took place in London, UK, with a special focus on digitalisation in the healthcare sector.
Digitalisation can contribute to creating the health systems of tomorrow and achieving Universal Health Coverage in several ways, as outlined in the speech by Commissioner Stella Kyriakides:
- Improved Access to Healthcare: Digital healthcare services, such as telemedicine and m-health, facilitate access to expertise in geographically remote locations, making it easier for people with low mobility or those in remote regions to consult healthcare providers.
- Cost Savings and Efficiency: The digitalisation of health data can lead to potential cost savings, estimated at 11 billion euros over ten years in the EU, through better access and exchange of health data in healthcare and from better use of health data for research, innovation, and policy making .
- Enhanced Research and Innovation: Digitalisation of health data can help conduct research and increase the development of innovative solutions to respond to unmet medical needs, leading to improved healthcare outcomes.
- Global Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: Increased collaboration and sharing of best practices, both within the EU and with global partners, are crucial for developing a common understanding of the potential of digitalisation in the healthcare sector. This collaboration can help strengthen the resilience of healthcare systems and contribute to achieving Universal Health Coverage .
- European Health Data Space: The European Health Data Space, a crucial part of Europe’s digital transition, aims to bring together the health data of 430 million citizens, making the EU a global leader in data-driven technologies. This initiative will transform the lives of patients and doctors, as well as support scientists, innovators, pharma companies, and policy-makers .
- Capacity Building and Digital Skills: Developing digital skills among healthcare professionals and authorities is essential for fully realising the benefits of digital transformation in healthcare. EU-funded projects are underway to deliver training programmes for health professionals focusing on digital skills, and technical assistance is offered to design national and regional roadmaps for digital skills in healthcare.
By leveraging digitalisation, health systems can become more efficient, accessible, and resilient, ultimately contributing to the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Click HERE to read the whole speech.
