Digital health and universal health coverage: opportunities and policy considerations for Pacific Island health authorities

Overview

The emergence of digital health tools offer opportunities to complement and support the health system in the delivery of health services, especially in resource-constrained settings. Low- and middle-income countries have implemented various digital health interventions to support a range of health functions including patient information collection, diagnostics, supply-chain management, and remote clinical monitoring. The use of digital health in Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) is increasing. Effective implementation is hampered by misalignment between system design and contextual realities among other factors. Health service delivery in PICTs are highly resource sensitive, digital health must add demonstrable benefit to justify the expenditure of resources that could otherwise be allocated to facilities, equipment, staff, medicines and other commodities.

This policy brief aims to identify health system challenges in the region which digital health interventions may address for decision-makers. It aims to identify policy and implementation factors to increase the likelihood of sustainable and scalable adoption of DHIs, and identify health resources to best capitalize on opportunities that digital health solutions offer. Recommendations suggest the need for each country or territory in the region to assess and determine their own priorities and opportunities, and devise digital health strategies in response. Recommendations outlined in the brief suggest the need to develop national-level digital health strategies to identify timelines and priorities, support mechanisms to strengthen digital health governance, human resource and institutional capacity. The brief aims to provide recommendations to aid relevant stakeholders to strengthen and support the use of ICTs to deliver equitable and integrated person-centered health care in the region.

Download the APO latest policy brief on digital health and universal health coverage: opportunities and policy considerations for Pacific Island health authorities for detailed policy recommendations to support the adoption of digital health interventions in PICTs.

How to Cite this publication

Craig A, Beek K, Godinho M, Ansari S, Jonnagaddala J, Linhart C, et al. Digital health and universal health coverage: opportunities and policy considerations for Pacific Island health authorities. New Delhi: World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia; 2022.