WHF was represented by Dr. E. Ulysses Dorotheo, our Tobacco Expert Group member for WPRO, at the Seventy-Fifth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific
SEVENTY-FIFTH SESSION OF THE WHO REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC
AGENDA ITEM 13
Honourable Chair,
Distinguished Delegates,
The World Heart Federation commends the World Health Organization for its report on the adoption of digital health in the Western Pacific region.
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the transformative potential of digital health solutions. Interventions, such as telehealth, mobile apps, wearable devices, and electronic decision-support tools, among other innovations, have the capacity to empower patients and healthcare professionals, improve outcomes, advance universal health coverage, and reduce healthcare costs.
The WHF Roadmap for Digital Health in Cardiology identifies key obstacles across health systems and the health workforce, as well as patient-level and technological barriers, that hinder the widespread implementation of digital health technologies.
The successful integration of digital health relies on strong leadership and governance, comprehensive legislation and policies, clear investment and reimbursement strategies, provision of high-quality applications and services, well-defined interoperability and data standards, robust digital infrastructure, and a tech-savvy workforce. Our Roadmap outlines actionable strategies that can be adapted at national and regional levels to overcome barriers and maximize the potential of digital tools to improve cardiovascular prevention, management, and care.
WHF calls on Member States to:
- Adopt the draft Regional Action Framework on Digital Health in the Western Pacific; and
- Implement the recommendations outlined in the WHF Roadmap for Digital Health in Cardiology.
Thank you.
