Digital health can improve health services, fast-track universal coverage: WHO

New Delhi, March 20: Digital health is a critical imperative today because it has the potential to democratise healthcare and accelerate universal health coverage in the South East Asian region, Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region, said on Monday.

"Digital health can significantly improve the quality, accessibility, affordability and sustainability of person-centric health services and effectiveness of disease management. Digital health is a critical imperative today as it can democratize healthcare and fast track what our region has been working intensely towards since 2014 - universal health coverage," Dr Poonam Khetrapal said as she addressed the Global Conference on Digital Health - Taking Universal Health Coverage to the Last Citizen.

She also emphasised the significance of using digital technologies for health in this ongoing COVID-19. She stated that the pandemic time has highlighted the importance of digital technologies in health and their potential to strengthen health systems, prevent disease, and improve service delivery at the global, national, and sub-national levels.

Also Read: 'Operation Amritpal': NSA imposed on Amritpal's uncle, 4 others: Punjab IG Sukhchain Gill

Meanwhile, while virtually addressing the event, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated that digital health is a great enabler in the delivery of healthcare services and has the potential to support overall universal health coverage targets.

"India has adopted a two-pronged approach with a focus on digital health through policy framework and by creating a digital ecosystem for path-breaking interventions which focus on not just availability, accessibility, affordability but also equity of health services," Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated.

The "Global Conference on Digital Health - Taking Universal Health Coverage to the Last Citizen" is a co-branded event organised by WHO - South-East Asia Region in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, as part of India's G20 Presidency.

Also Read: Rain alert: Orange alert in Delhi as thunder shower to continue