One of the strategic objectives of the Global Strategy on Digital Health (GSDH) is to enhance the governance of digital health at both national and international levels. This objective will be achieved by establishing sustainable and robust governance structures, as well as by building capacity for digital health at global, regional, and national tiers. The governance of digital health aims to bolster the capabilities and skills necessary for countries to promote, innovate, and scale up digital health technologies.
To implement this objective, the GSDH outlines policy actions designed to integrate digital health competencies into the education and training curricula of health professionals and allied workers. It also emphasizes capacity-building initiatives for leaders of public health authorities, affiliated agencies, and policymakers to support informed decision-making regarding digital health investments.
The variability in digital literacy and competencies significantly affects the adoption and effective utilization of digital health technologies. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the necessity of a digitally literate health workforce to maintain essential health services and respond to public health crises. Furthermore, although numerous digital health competency frameworks exist, they are often fragmented, narrowly focused on specific professional groups, or lacking a comprehensive global perspective. To fully leverage the benefits of digital transformation in healthcare, it is crucial to establish a universally applicable and adaptable competency framework.
In alignment with this strategic direction, the World Health Organization and its partners are developing a Global Digital Health Competency Framework (GDHCF). The GDHCF is designed to enhance digital health capabilities among key stakeholders at global, regional, and national levels. The GDHCF defines core competencies for four primary audiences:
- Policymakers and Decision-Makers
- Planners, Developers, and Researchers
- Practitioners and Providers
- Populations, Patients, and Communities
The GDHCF will build on the recent Global Digital Compact (GDC) and its goals to develop digital competencies for public officials and institutions in the creation, development, and implementation of strategies and policies for inclusive, secure, and user-centered digital public services. This includes developing skills and capacity to ensure the safe, secure, and resilient functioning of digital systems, networks, and data.
In alignment with the GDC's goals, the GDHCF will serve as a guiding tool for curriculum developers, digital health leaders, and practitioners, ensuring that digital health solutions, systems, and services are effectively implemented. By promoting a structured and scalable approach to competency development, the GDHCF aims to drive digital health transformation, contributing to universal health coverage and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Expected Outputs:
- Consolidated feedback from stakeholders on the GDHCF competency framework
- Recommendations for further adapting the framework
- A shared understanding of the framework’s alignment with the WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health.
Meeting Methodology:
- Format: Online conferencing tools.
- Structure: Interactive discussions, breakout sessions, framework presentations, and Q&A.
- Outcome: Consolidated feedback and recommendations for further adaptation.
- Participants will be representing themselves, not their organizations.
Draft Working Meeting Series Schedule:
- March 3: 8:00–10:00 AM CET, repeated from 3:00–5:00 PM CET.
- March 4: 8:00–10:00 AM CET repeated from 3:00–5:00 PM CET.
- March 6: 8:00–10:00 AM CET repeated from 3:00–5:00 PM CET.
- March 10: 8:00–11:00 AM CET repeated from 3:00–5:00 PM CET.
- March 11: 8:00–11:00 AM CET repeated from 3:00–5:00 PM CET.
- March 13: 8:00–11:00 AM CET repeated from 3:00–5:00 PM CET.
- March 17: 8:00–10:00 AM CET repeated from 3:00–5:00 PM CET.
- March 18: 8:00–10:00 AM CET repeated from 3:00–5:00 PM CET.
- March 20: 8:00–10:00 AM CET repeated from 3:00–5:00 PM CET.
- Register here (registration link) by March 20, 2025, using your official email address
- Registrants are requested to indicate whether they would like to present information about their work, related to this area.
- Meeting details and materials will be shared with verified participants.
- For inquiries and more information, please contact us at: DigitalHealth@who.int
- Participants will be expected to sign a Declaration of Interest (DOI) and confidentiality undertaking.
- UN Agencies, multilaterals and bilaterals, NGOs, and public sector entities in official relations with WHO
- Regional WHO Digital Health related Competency Framework Development
- WHO I-DAIR Collaboration on the Global Digital Health Competency Framework
- WHO Review and Refinement of a Global Digital Health Competency Framework
- This announcement - UN Agencies, multilaterals and bilaterals, NGOs, entities in official relations with WHO, the public sector, academia
- Expert panel review
- Stakeholder public review
- Member State review