Regional counterparts reaffirm shared commitment to advancing digital health

By Randima Attygalle

Aligned with the 78th session of WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee Meeting held in Colombo from 13-15 October, Sri Lanka and India jointly hosted an event under the theme, ‘Developing a digital health ecosystem for integrated person–centred care: Lessons from implementing Digital Health Blueprints in the region’, where best practices from the region to forge a digital health ecosystem were shared by experts.

Developing a digital health ecosystem for patient-centered care is both timely and deeply relevant to building equitable, efficient and resilient health systems within the country and across the region, remarked the Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa at the event co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India on ‘Developing a digital health ecosystem for integrated person–centred care: Lessons from implementing Digital Health Blueprints in the region’. The event which took place last Tuesday was on the sidelines of the 78th session of WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee Meeting, held in Colombo from 13-15 October. 

Remarking that Sri Lanka has always placed the health of its people at the heart of national development, Health Minister in his opening remarks underscored that good health is not a privilege but a fundamental right of all people. “Today, the world we live in is changing rapidly. We are facing complex health challenges, from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases to the pressure of aging populations, climate change, and economic hardship. To meet these challenges, we must strengthen our health systems not just through more funding or more hospitals, but through smarter, more connected, and more people-centered care,” observed Dr. Jayatissa who went onto note that, in a bid to reach this goal, Sri Lanka has already made significant progress in its journey towards digital transformation in health. Digitising of 135 hospitals across the country, integrating multiple public health programs and establishing a national drug information system were cited by the minister as examples. 

Sri Lanka’s Digital Health Blueprint, developed with support from WHO, is a national strategy for modernising the healthcare system through digital technologies. The blueprint which was endorsed in 2023, focuses on creating an interconnected and interoperable digital health ecosystem, with a National Electronic Health Record (NeHR) as a central component to streamline services and manage resources effectively. The project aims to improve data-driven decision-making and healthcare efficiency in the country. Among its other salient features are Digital Health Architecture which provides a roadmap for the systematic adoption and integration of digital technologies in healthcare and Planning and Management Information System (PMIS) to enhance healthcare planning, resource allocation, and performance monitoring. The blueprint also envisages streamlined processes with the objective of overcoming limitations of manual systems, making data management and decision-making more efficient. International partner support for the country’s digital health activities is also provided by multiple agencies including UNICEF, UNOPS, The Global Fund, German Government, ADB and the World Bank. 

Remarking that the country is now at the operationalisation phase with a clear vision of developing a single, shared digital health record for every individual, a record that ensures continuity of care, informed decision-making, and better health outcomes, Dr. Jayatissa further said that the digital transformation fully aligns with the Government’s broader efforts to digitalise public services, thereby enhancing transparency, accessibility, and convenience for people. “Our primary healthcare reforms will also leverage these digital capabilities to strengthen preventive, promotive, and community-based care. The benefits are efficient decision-making, reduced wastage, improved patient experience, and higher quality of care.” 

The digital transformation of health, however, comes with numerous challenges which need to be addressed, said the Minister who alluded to the limited number of IT professionals within the Health Ministry and the complexity of the health system which calls for continued investment in capacity building, workforce development, and system interoperability. “Moreover, we must never underestimate the importance of data security, privacy, and patient safety as we advance this digital agenda,” he said further.

Reiterating the importance of regional collaboration for a better outcome, Health Minister also acknowledged the lessons that could be learnt from digitally matured regional counterparts such as India and Thailand whose experiences can guide and inspire other member states in the shared pursuit of digital health transformation. “The health challenges India and Sri Lanka are facing are almost common and I am confident that the deliberations of this conference will further strengthen our regional solidarity and accelerate progress towards a digitally empowered, patient-centred health system for all.” 

Remarking that India stands ready to share its learning platforms and partner with the global community, India’s Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Singh Patel highlighted India’s digital health transformation through the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). “We believe that digital public infrastructure is the cornerstone of a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready health system. And at the heart of our digital transformation lies the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission which is a federated, standard-based digital health architecture that is revolutionising healthcare delivery across India.” Launched in 2020, ABDM is a digital public infrastructure which connects citizens, health providers, and systems through a secure and interoperable ecosystem. Noting that India’s digital health journey is not just a technical evolution but also a story of inclusion, Minister Patel reminded that it ensures that healthcare follows the patient and not the other way around. “It imbeds equity, amplifies efficiency, and redefines the citizen’s role from a passive recipient to an active, empowered owner of their health data. Today, healthcare in India is connected, comprehensive, and centred around the needs of every citizen.”

Two keynote presentations on ‘Advancing Digital Health Blueprints in the Region’ were also made at the event. Director – Health Information Dr. Palitha Karunapema made his presentation on ‘Sri Lanka’s Digital Health Blueprint in Action: Advancing Towards One Citizen, One Health Record’. India’s ABDM’s Joint Secretary and Mission Director, Kiran Gopal Vaska provided insights into India’s DP approach to building a digital health ecosystem, drawing from ABDM’s experience. 

A panel discussion on ‘Building an integrated and Sustainable Digital Health Ecosystem’ was also held with the participation of several key regional representatives from the WHO-SEARO, UNOPS, Global Fund, Maldivian Health Ministry, Indian Health and Family Welfare Ministry and the local Health Ministry. The session was moderated by Specialist in Health Informatics Dr. Chaminda Weerabaddana.

Pix by Sameera Wijesinghe