“India’s digital goods are for the world. India’s digital infrastructure and capabilities are enablers of global economic growth and human development.” This was stated by Dr V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog while delivering the keynote address at the session on ‘Digital Health Innovations and Solutions to Aid Universal Health Coverage and Improve Healthcare Service Delivery’, on the second day of the 3rd Health Working Group of G20 India, at Hyderabad, Telangana today.
Shining a spotlight on India’s leadership in the arena of digital health, Dr. Paul stated “India as the voice of Global South is committed to minimizing the digital health divide by promoting digital solutions and innovation to aid universal health coverage.” Reiterating a quote of the Prime Minister of Digital India where he stated “I dream of a digital India with quality healthcare is accessible right up to the remotest regions powered by e-healthcare”, he added that deliberations in the health working groups have led us to the belief that digital technologies can play a very critical role in achieving universal health coverage and combating health emergencies. Underlining the significance of digital health, Dr. Paul urged all to become a part of the global revolution in digital health for universal health coverage. He stressed “let us envision a world where a comprehensive package of digital health tools and services are accessible to all, where digital health is for all by 2035.”
The other important speakers for the session included Dr. Christopher Elias, President, Global Development, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Dr. Alain Labrique, Director, Department of Digital Health & Innovation, WHO. Dr. Christopher Elias commended the inclusion of Digital Health as a priority in the G20 Presidency and said “inclusivity, equity and affordability are key principles for this priority. He further said “Technology, in particular digital technology has a critical enabling role to play in accelerating the progress towards universal health coverage and improving health service delivery. The world has witnessed the significant momentum of digital health and the development of digital health tools that lower- and middle-income countries have experienced over the last decade, and especially due to the onset of the recent Covid pandemic.” Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Alain Labrique stated “When we talk about digital health, we are talking about strengthening primary health care systems, improving universal health coverage, and timely and relevant data for decision making and resource allocation. Most important, we are talking about equity so that no one get left behind. Digital health is a proven pathway to achieve universal health goals.”
