10 March 2020, Cairo – An expert consultation on digital health and innovation in the Region was held at the Regional Office by the Science, Information and Dissemination Department on 23–25 February 2020 to build consensus on a regional digital health and innovation strategic framework. The meeting was inaugurated by Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, and Mr Bernardo Mariano, Director, Digital Health and Innovation, at WHO headquarters outlined WHO’s vision for harnessing the power of digital health to achieve the health-related SDGs in his address to the meeting.

During the consultation key findings from global and regional surveys were reviewed, opportunities and challenges explored, and presentations given on needs and expectations in relation to DHI. The participating experts came from Egypt, Jordan,  Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and United Kingdom, in addition to the  ITU/Arab States, Asian Development Bank (Philippines) and WHO. Discussions were held on the following themes: 1) health care delivery: needs and expectations; 2) GPW13 priorities; 3) essential requisites; 4) technologies and applications; and 5) innovation and partnerships. Working groups developed regional digital health and innovation strategic objectives and priorities with the aid of SWOT analysis, and consensus was built on a draft vision and mission for the Region.