G20 Health: Digital Health & The Missing $200 Million Fund
In a pivotal moment for global health diplomacy, India, under its G20 presidency, spearheaded a call for equity in access to diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines. The declaration issued during India's G20 presidency emphasised three critical health priorities: enhancing primary healthcare, strengthening the health workforce, and expanding essential services beyond pre-pandemic levels.
The recent G20 health track marked progress in promoting international cooperation in health emergencies. However, it encountered challenges in advancing a USD 200 million fund for a digital health program and establishing a permanent platform for sharing knowledge, intellectual property rights, and resources related to vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics under the Delhi Declaration.
Deepak Sood, Secretary-General of ASSOCHAM, pointed out, "For its substantial investments and initiatives in the digital health space, including the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), India may have chosen to prioritise its own resources and strategies over a global fund. This approach could help India maintain sovereignty and control over its digital health infrastructure."
Sood further emphasised that India is actively seeking private sector investments and partnerships to support its digital health initiatives, making a dedicated global fund less critical.
A World Bank report, released in conjunction with the health ministers' meeting, applauded India's Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission for its efforts in bridging health information gaps and connecting health data. Notably, platforms like Co-Win and e-Sanjeevani emerged as game-changers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, in a written article, stated, "India is willing to share its learnings and resources to build similar digital health ecosystems for the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, so that vulnerable populations can benefit from cutting-edge digital solutions and innovations, bringing us closer to the dream of universal healthcare coverage."
Sood delineated that India actively shapes the global digital health landscape by sharing its substantial IT industry and skilled professionals to develop cost-effective solutions. He mentioned that India's role encompasses expertise sharing in large-scale digital health projects, international collaborations with organisations like the World Health Organization (WHO) to establish global standards, the creation of affordable solutions for resource-constrained settings, and the pioneering of telemedicine for improved healthcare access globally.
India's commitment to digital health innovation culminated in the launch of the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) under the WHO. GIDH is built upon four pillars: an investment tracker, a repository of existing digital health solutions, knowledge sharing for implementation, and country-specific adaptation of these solutions.
Efforts to create global standards for digital health are indeed underway. Organizations like the WHO, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and Health Level Seven International (HL7) are diligently working on developing these standards.
Sood noted, "Several barriers, including fragmentation with multiple standards and interoperability challenges, resistance to change, privacy/security concerns, and a lack of awareness among healthcare professionals, hinder the adoption of global health standards."
To overcome these barriers, Sood stressed the need for concerted efforts from governments, international organisations, and industry players to promote the benefits of global standards, provide incentives for adoption, and facilitate a smooth transition for healthcare systems worldwide.
India staunchly opposes any barriers imposed by intellectual property rights that hinder access to medical countermeasures during crises. However, the Delhi Declaration failed to establish a permanent platform for sharing knowledge and intellectual property rights. Previously, India demonstrated its commitment to the global digital health community by offering its vaccine management platform CoWIN, telemedicine platform e-Sanjeevani, and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission platform as digital public goods to other nations.
One of India's most significant achievements during its G20 presidency was the establishment of a troika approach, in collaboration with Indonesia and Brazil. This coalition represents the developing and emerging economies of the Global South. This approach underscores the imperative to build future manufacturing capacity and allocate resources, including intellectual property and financial support, to the Global South.
Mandaviya emphasised in the article, "Several independent efforts are currently underway to establish global standards for digital health, but they often operate in isolation and lack coordination. These challenges can be transformed into opportunities if the global community unites its efforts under one effective umbrella."
Sood added, "Addressing these challenges necessitates a collaborative approach. It is imperative to promote open standards in digital health to ensure interoperability, with international bodies like the WHO playing a pivotal role. Encouraging licensing agreements for the sharing of healthcare data across borders, all while respecting intellectual property rights is also of paramount importance."
"Developing international regulatory frameworks that strike a balance between IP protection and global health cooperation is crucial. Public-private partnerships can play a pivotal role in facilitating common platforms and data sharing. Investing in capacity building in low-resource settings is essential to navigate copyright issues and establish interoperable systems, thereby collectively enhancing global health efforts," Sood emphasised.
India's G20 presidency has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on global health diplomacy, championing equity, collaboration, and the advancement of digital health solutions. As the world faces ongoing health challenges, India's leadership continues to inspire and guide the path toward a healthier, more equitable future for all.
.jpg)
