Organized by the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA) and hosted at Campus Biotech of the University of Geneva, the 13th Youth Pre-World Health Assembly session titled "What next after expiration? Global strategy on digital health 2020–2025 "brought together more than 60 IFMSA members (mostly medical students) in-person and online. The event featured presentations by the Head of the Capacity Building and Policy Unit (CBP) and the Technical Lead of the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) from the Department of Digital Health and Innovation in WHO Headquarters and the Research and Policy Coordinator from DTH Lab in Geneva, Switzerland.
Discussions included the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025 which through its four strategic objectives, seeks to align countries and stakeholders through collaboration and knowledge exchange, advance the implementation of national digital health strategies, strengthen governance for digital health and global, regional and national level, and advocate for people-centered health systems. In its 156th Session the WHO Executive Board approved as agenda items for a decision by the 78th session of the World Health Assembly, the extension of the strategy's timeline to 2027 as well as a renewal from 2028 - 2033, ensuring continuity of the Strategy beyond 2030. Despite progress, significant barriers persist. The lack of digital competencies among health workers remains a critical bottleneck, often leaving them behind in rapidly evolving digital ecosystems. Additionally, the proliferation of digital technologies has led to fragmented systems, with regulatory frameworks struggling to keep pace.
To address these challenges, WHO launched GIDH, a WHO Managed Network, to foster alignment of resources towards country-led and standards based digital health transformation. GIDH aims to strengthen resource alignment to match country needs with global support, foster knowledge exchange across regions and provide tools that support countries to steward their national digital health transformation and provide visibility into national progress (e.g. Digital Health Atlas (DHA), Global Digital Health Monitor (GDHM)).
Recognizing the pivotal role of youth in shaping digital health, the event highlighted tools from the Transformation Toolbox such as the forthcoming Global Digital Health Competency Framework, set for release at the UN General Assembly in September 2025. This framework will define essential digital health competencies for health workers, policymakers, planners and even citizens, acting as a reference guide for example training and continuous education to ensure consistency in digital health competencies around the world. Resources were also shared to the WHO Academy, which is expanding its digital health training programs, with free courses currently available in English, French, Portuguese. Participants were encouraged to engage with GIDH, either through application for institutional membership or nomination to its Steering Committee, ensuring youth perspectives influence the activities and priorities of GIDH.
Other opportunities to engage that were raised include the World Summit on the Information Society+ 20 High Level Event 7-11 July 2025 , the 2nd Global GIDH Convening 14-18 July 2025 – virtual , and the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2025.
Speakers and participants reinforced the need for collaboration, governance, and inclusive capacity-building. The insights from this Pre-WHA assembly will help inform IFMSA's and WHO's continued engagement —working towards ensuring that the implementation of digital health technologies is equitable, safe, and effective for all.
