WHO and HIMSS Pledge Transatlantic Collaboration on Digital Health

WHO-Europe and Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society this week set a new agenda of transatlantic collaboration in digital health, signing a memorandum of understanding marking it.

HIMSS, an international nonprofit advisor and thought leader, leads the reform of the global health ecosystem through information and technology. With a membership of more than 120,000, HIMSS serves the world’s health communities through its operations across North America, Europe, United Kingdom, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

HIMSS has for many years provided support to the work of WHO in the field of digital health through its global Technical Advisory Group for Digital Health and by sharing its vast network of knowledge and resources. The agreement between the two bodies was signed on Sept. 11.

“I am extremely pleased to sign this agreement with HIMSS, paving the way for a new, harmonized approach to the digital transformation of health systems in Europe and beyond,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe. “This agreement heralds a new era of transatlantic capacity building for data and digital health that will allow WHO to leverage the collective power of stakeholders working in this field to serve the interests of our Member States. It embodies the very notion of WHO’s European Programme of Work: United Action for Better Health”

Said Hal Wolf, president and CEO of HIMSS: “This partnership with WHO/Europe is an important landmark in aligning interests across public and private sectors for the good of global populations. Technology and information are key enablers for extending access to vital health and care services.

“By deepening our partnership with WHO-Europe, we can ensure more countries in Europe and beyond can reap the benefits of equitable access to quality health services and information,” Wolf added.

This new agreement empowers WHO-Europe to increase its capacity to support countries in transforming health systems in the region through data and technology. It increases the digital competencies of health professionals and monitors the progress of implementation in the region. WHO-Europe will also establish a strategic partnership initiative to engage HIMSS and other key partners in a transatlantic coalition for digital health.