The World Health Organisation (WHO) is filling the missing gap for global interoperable digital health tools after the use of the COVID-19 certificate expires on 30 June, 2023.
The partnership struck with the European Commission will forge the WHO Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN) offering WHO member states access to an open-source e-health platform and products that embody the data protection and privacy qualities of the COVID-19 certificate.
“As the directing and coordinating authority on international health work, there is no better partner than the WHO to advance the work we started at the EU and further develop global digital health solutions,” said Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.
The partnership bolsters the achievements of digital healthcare and important “strategic cooperation on global health issues”, facilitating mobility of global healthcare programmes.
It is a step in the right direction for the digital action plan set out by the EU Global Health Strategy.
“With 80 countries and territories connected to the EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate, the EU has set a global standard. The EU certificate has not only been an important tool in our fight against the pandemic, but has also facilitated international travel and tourism. I am pleased that the WHO will build on the privacy-preserving principles and cutting-edge technology of the EU certificate to create a global tool against future pandemics,” added Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market.
