WHO’s digital power grab

WHO’s Global Digital Health Certification Network

https://www.who.int/initiatives/global-digital-health-certification-network

WHO has established the Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN).

Open-source platform, built on robust & transparent standards,

that establishes the first building block of digital public health infrastructure,

for developing a wide range of digital products,

for strengthening pandemic preparedness

Background

Member States used digital COVID-19 test and vaccine certificates

As the directing and coordinating authority on international health work, at the onset of the pandemic,

WHO engaged with all WHO Regions to define overall guidance for such certificates and published the Digital Documentation of COVID-19 Certificates

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-Digital_certificates-vaccination-2021.1

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-Digital_certificates_diagnostic_test_results-2022.1

there is a recognition of an existing gap,

and continued need for a global mechanism,

that can support bilateral verification of the provenance of health documents

The GDHCN may include

Digitisation of the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, verification of prescriptions across borders

International Patient Summary

Verification of vaccination certificates within and across borders

Certification of public health professionals (through WHO Academy)

Expanding such digital solutions will be essential to deliver better health for people across the globe.

The GDHCN has been designed to be interoperable with other existing regional networks

EU-WHO digital partnership

https://www.who.int/news/item/05-06-2023-the-european-commission-and-who-launch-landmark-digital-health-initiative-to-strengthen-global-health-security

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBcC_QMwhg8

https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/coronavirus-response/safe-covid-19-vaccines-europeans/eu-digital-covid-certificate_en

WHO and the European Commission have agreed to partner in digital health.

This partnership will work to technically develop the WHO system with a staged approach to cover additional use cases,

In June 2023, WHO will take up the European Union (EU) system of digital COVID-19 certification to establish a global system,

that will help facilitate global mobility

This is the first building block of the WHO Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN)

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

WHO aims to offer all WHO Member States access,

On the principles of equity, innovation, transparency and data protection and privacy

Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

This partnership is an important step for the digital action plan of the EU Global Health Strategy,

we contribute to digital health standards and interoperability globally

Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market

The EU certificate … has also facilitated international travel and tourism

I am pleased that the WHO will build on …. cutting-edge technology … to create a global tool against future pandemics

One of the key elements in the European Union’s work against the COVID-19 pandemic has been digital COVID-19 certificates.

WHO will facilitate this process globally under its own structure … allow the world to benefit from convergence of digital certificates.

Expanding such digital solutions will be essential to deliver better health for citizens across the globe.

The WHO and the European Commission will work together to encourage maximum global uptake and participation.