During the World Health Summit, views were shared among panelists on digital collaboration and the importance of data during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Digital technology is in constant update and improvement, which is why its correct implementation manages to transform health systems in its entirety. Currently it is possible to conduct complex research involving millions of data thanks to technology, it is also possible to perform surgical interventions that were not possible a few years ago.
Today, the pandemic opened new discussions on global collaboration on digital transformation and during the world health organization (WHO) meeting, discussions were made on the issue.
Dr Soumya Swaminathan, who serves as WHO's lead scientist, commented: “There has been a huge fragmentation, a huge multiplication of approaches within countries, between countries. In a pandemic, there is no sense in having solutions which apply only within your own national borders. You have to have solutions that work around the world because people are moving all the time.”
WHO has promoted digital solutions or tools, such as the application of contact tracking techniques on mobile devices, and supported countries with limited resources for the development of mobile applications with these features.
On the other hand, Dr Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety at the European Commission, highlighted the importance of digital tools and are now a reality: “Digital solutions, once a tool of the future, have rapidly become essential as the world has fought to understand, manage and overcome the catastrophic impact of COVID-19,” she explained. “The pandemic has brought to light the importance of digital technology in medicine and its potential to save lives and support, better, stronger and more equal care systems,” she concluded.
In addition, during the meeting they emphasized that the exchange of data and information at the beginning of the pandemic was of critical importance for the current development of COVID-19 vaccines.
“We’ll see the vaccine trial results, but whatever it is, it’s unprecedented o have over 40 vaccines in clinical trials with 10 months of a new virus being discovered,” Swaminathan said.
Dr Sally Davies, UK representative and expert in antimicrobial resistance, stressed the relevance of digital collaboration between countries and agencies, and should continue besides of the pandemic: “We believe that digital collaboration underpins the coordinated systematic approach we need to strengthen health systems and our health care.”
