Transform Health

Transform Health is a global coalition more than 150 organisations dedicated to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030 by harnessing digital technology and the use of data. The coalition advocates and campaigns for the right enabling environment for the equitable, inclusive and sustainable digital transformation of health systems. We collaborate with the individuals, communities, governments, organisations and institutions towards this goal, prioritising those most affected by the lack of access to equitable, affordable, and high-quality health care. We are committed to promoting youth and women’s participation and leadership and to promoting the perspectives, concerns and needs of marginalised groups so that everyone can benefit from the digital transformation of health systems, towards health for all in the digital age.

Website: https://transformhealthcoalition.org/

Contact:

Kirsten Mathieson, Policy & Advocacy Lead, kirsten.mathieson@transformhealthcoalition.org

Putting blueprints into practice

TOWARDS MORE EFFECTIVE AND EQUITABLE HEALTH DATA GOVERNANCE REGULATION: BUILDING CONSENSUS AROUND MINIMUM STANDARDS (CONSIDERATIONS)

In the digital age and the increased digitalisation of health systems, more effective and equitable governance of health data is needed to ensure we are fully harnessing its potential for public benefit and improved health outcomes, while also managing risks, protecting individual rights, and ensuring people’s data is protected from misuse. This is important to lay the foundation for improved public trust in health data systems where individuals feel protected, respected and in control of their own data, while allowing institutions working to protect the health and well-being of the population to access and use it for the public benefit.

Transform Health is working with partners to catalyse and feed into the development of a set of minimum standards (considerations) for health data governance regulations, which are underpinned by equity and rights-based principles and would form part of a global framework. They would serve as a guiding resource and benchmark for governments to strengthen their national approaches, whilst also improving harmonisation across countries, which is important to support cross-border data flows. Through this work we are convening multi-stakeholder consultations and carrying out landscape assessments to learn from existing approaches and good practices; identify existing international and regional norms and standards; and leverage inputs and guidance from stakeholders and experts.

OPTIMISING DIGITAL HEALTH INVESTMENT TO DELIVER UHC

In many countries, the full potential of digital technologies to strengthen health systems remains untapped, in part due to insufficient, fragmented, and poorly targeted investment.

Transform Health’s report, Closing the digital divide: More and better funding for the digital transformation of health, highlighted gaps in domestic and external investment for digital health, particularly for low and lower-middle income countries, and a lack of publicly available information on current funding levels. This poses a barrier to mobilising additional resources for digital health, to more effective donor coordination and alignment around country needs, and to ensuring funding prioritised the right areas to ensure an equitable, inclusive and sustainable digital health transformation.

To take forward the recommendations of the report, Transform Health is advocating for and prioritising work around: (a) Improved tracking and accountability of digital health investment, including to ensure investment prioritises the right areas and strengthens the enabling environment for an inclusive and equitable transformation; (b) strengthening the case for investment; and (c) advocacy with governments and development partners to prioritise investment, costed national digital health strategies, and better coordination and aligned investment.

Resources

Marketplace