European, Commonwealth collaborate to bring benefits of digital health to 3 billion people

The European Connected Health Alliance (ECHAlliance) and the Commonwealth Centre for Digital Health (CWCDH) announce a strategic partnership to accelerate and drive the international deployment of digital health at scale, facilitate greater collaboration for international digital health projects and create economic opportunities.

Digital technologies offer huge opportunities to strengthen health systems and improve the way health care is delivered. To realize the full potential of digital health, collaboration across the health and ICT sectors, both public and private, is essential.

Together, the ECHAlliance and CWCDH, connect 78 Countries with a combined population of approximately 3 billion, 40% of the world’s population. Given the number and diversity of the countries, and the different stages of digital development, this unique partnership will facilitate and enable the identification, sharing and application of best practices and innovations.

The partnership will also provide public and private funders of digital health with a coherent international network and organisations to deploy digital health and provide quality and sustainable healthcare services. The Commonwealth provides the opportunity for governments, health systems, industry and academia to compare, and contrast, needs, and opportunities, across a significant international network and population.

Prof Vajira Dissanayake, Chair of the CWCDH said, “As we implement the exciting plans for the CWCDH across the 53 Commonwealth countries we are delighted to partner with the ECHAlliance, who have long experience in establishing an International Network and have created an effective delivery mechanism through their successful multi stakeholder Ecosystem Network. Joining forces and leveraging this experience will enable us to accelerate our plans to deliver and scale digital health innovations.”

Brian O’Connor, Chair of ECHAlliance commented, “We have learned a lot in establishing the existing International Networks in Europe, Canada and China. We are delighted not only to share those experiences with CWCDH but to learn from the many Digital Health Innovations that already exist in the Commonwealth. We also believe the partnership opens up real business opportunities for two ways trade between Europe and the Commonwealth. What I really like about this Partnership is we share the same determination to be practical and not another talking shop”

CWCDH and ECHAlliance have formed an Implementation Group to ensure this Partnership delivers on the opportunities. A further announcement will be made shortly which will present the next practical steps to ensure success.