European and Commonwealth collaboration to bring the 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.
About Commonwealth Centre for Digital Health
The Commonwealth Centre for Digital Health (CWCDH) is a not for profit organisation, working closely with the Commonwealth Medical Association, working together to link Commonwealth countries and realise the potential for digital health to transform and strengthen their health systems.
The Commonwealth is made up of 53 independent countries with a combined population of 2.4 billion, of which more than 60 per cent is aged 29 or under. The Commonwealth spans the globe and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. It encompasses Africa (19 countries), Asia (7), the Caribbean and Americas (13), Europe (3), and the Pacific (11).
About the European Connected Health Alliance
The European Connected Health Alliance (ECHAlliance) is the trusted connector, facilitating multi-stakeholder connections around ecosystems, driving sustainable change and disruption in the delivery of health and social care. Our community gathers over 650+ member organizations and more than 16,500 experts — including government, health & social care providers, leading companies and start-ups, researchers, insurances, patients and citizens, and the investment community — through ecosystems meetings (100+ per year), international events and online platform, “Connector.” Active in more than 25 regions/countries (Europe, USA, Canada, China), ECHAlliance members develop innovative solutions around mobile health, chronic diseases, active and healthy ageing, Internet of Things, wearables, personalized medicine, genomics, Big Data, virtual reality and artificial intelligence.
