In a decisive move to advance global health transformation, Member States at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly (WHA78) have approved the extension of the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025 through to 2027. The approved decision also calls on WHO to initiate the development of a new Global Strategy on Digital Health for 2028–2033, ensuring alignment with emerging global digital cooperation efforts, including the UN's Pact for the Future and the Sustainable Development Goals.
This extension reflects the growing momentum and critical importance of digital health in achieving equitable, resilient, and people-centred health systems.
Digital health is not about applications, platforms, or devices. It's about transforming how health systems serve people—more equitably, more effectively, and with greater attention to individual needs.
Originally endorsed at the Seventy-third World Health Assembly (WHA73) in 2020, the strategy has catalyzed significant progress in equitable digital health implementation across all WHO regions. Key advancements include advancement in the development of national digital health strategies, strengthened collaboration through regional frameworks, enhanced cross-border interoperability, the establishment of guidance and governance on artificial intelligence, and improvements in health information systems. Digital health has also gained sustained global attention, having been included in the agendas of five consecutive G20 presidencies.
Since the Strategy's launch, countries and partners have made substantial progress:
- 129 countries have established national digital health strategies.
- Over 1,600 government officials from more than 100 countries have received training in digital health and artificial intelligence.
- Transformative initiatives such as the Global Digital Health Certification Network have been launched, benefiting 1.8 billion people across 80 countries.
- Critical guidance on artificial intelligence in health has been issued, including the Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence for Health , with global workshops supporting Member States in ethical AI implementation.
- 130 Member States have conducted digital health maturity assessments using the Global Digital Health Monitor .
- Government-to-government collaboration on digital health has been established in four WHO regions, with 40 Member States joining the Global Digital Health Partnership .
- Global collaboration has been strengthened through the Global Initiative on Digital Health , the WHO Innovation Hub and regional frameworks led by WHO, ITU, the African Union, PAHO and other key partners.
"This extension is not just about adding two more years—it's about accelerating action. With a renewed mandate extending from 2028 to 2033, we are entering a critical phase where digital health must be purposefully scaled and equitably integrated into every health system. From AI to telehealth, we have the tools; now we must ensure they reach and benefit everyone," Dr Alain Labrique, Director of WHO's Department of Digital Health and Innovation.
With digital health set to play an increasingly central role in universal health coverage, pandemic preparedness, and climate-resilient systems, this extension reaffirms the shared commitment of WHO and its Member States for inclusive, ethical and sustainable digital transformation.
