progress towards universal health coverage

Beyond tools

Innovative approaches to influence progress towards universal health coverage

As the world continues to learn from lessons brought about by the pandemic, our collective dependency on technology is increasing in every sector, including global health. When considering opportunities and solutions addressing population health matters, few would argue to exclude technology.

In the midst of growth, we must not lose sight of the innovation we truly need. To ensure that technology helps the world achieve universal health coverage (UHC) we need to learn to interact with technology to alleviate the burden of disease currently being carried by patients and the general public. Conversely, learning to utilise existing technology will lead to a better understanding of the needs of patients, protecting the privacy of patients and the public at large, establishing policies that promote equitable access to quality services, and ensuring the use of data for decisionmaking.

undERStAndIng nEEdS

Interacting with technology will require prioritising solutions that help with understanding what patients need, and determining how they can access services that transform their lives.

Many examples and narratives have flooded our inboxes throughout this year alone, addressing the numerous uses of technology before and during the pandemic. These examples of automated solutions include telemedicine, contact tracing applications, supply chain management software, mobile testing sites and laboratories, machine-learning and artificial intelligence, and the use of geographical information systems.

These technologies have all enhanced our collective ability to manage challenging global health situations. However, there has been a remarkable lack of patient stories to confirm the impact of said solutions. The complete narrative of the value and impact of these solutions must also include reports from patients and the public who benefited from them. Otherwise, decisions around technology will continue to be made with incomplete narratives.

PROtECtIng PRIVACY

In discussing the potential of new and existing technologies, we cannot ignore increased concerns about data privacy and calls for fit-to-purpose regulations. effective use of innovations and technology requires a deeper consideration of its positive impacts and significant efforts to mitigate adverse effects. The rapid adoption of technology-based solutions calls for an update in processes and policies to ensure that equitable access to quality health services does not also lead to compro-

...we need to learn to interact with technology to alleviate the burden of disease currently being carried by patients and the general public. “

mised patient privacy. Protecting data as we work to close the gap between innovation and policies will assist in maintaining public trust.

lESSEnIng thE dIgItAl dIVIdE, InCREASIng CAPACItY

Technology advances are continuing, and adopting new and existing technologies will become a prerequisite for the health sector’s resilience. However, to fully benefit from available active solutions, processes and procedures in a manner that leads to achieving UHC, there must be full commitment from policymakers to ensuring the responsible and fair use of current technologies, leading to targeted development and scaling of technologies that truly improve the quality of people’s lives, and lessen rather than increase the digital divide.

uSIng QuAlItY dAtA fOR dECISIOn-MAKIng

Practitioners’, researchers’, clinicians’ and the general public’s education on data use continues to increase. Even with a shortage of policies to support the numerous advancements, mass data collection efforts in global health continue. These data have helped determine approaches to addressing the pandemic and assessing the resilience of health systems worldwide. They can also help policymakers understand what is required to achieve equitable access to lifesaving technologies. These times require those responsible for the health of their populations to use available data to determine which technologies and innovations will ensure they reach UHC. In addition, data can assist with determining what the public requires of its health system. They can also help identify gaps and update processes and policies that will lead to equitable access to quality health services.

Advances in technology are continuing as the global health community challenges itself to identify new ways to leverage existing technologies and ensure that new technologies genuinely address the needs of populations worldwide.

However, to fully benefit from available effective solutions, processes and procedures in a manner that leads to achieving UHC, policymakers must join the innovation movement. In addition, policymakers must commit more to understanding the value of using available technologies, decreasing the digital divide, protecting the public’s privacy and facilitating collaboration across sectors.

Achieving UHC with the help of technology is only possible through appropriate policies. These policies must also ensure responsible and equitable use of current technologies.

MS huguEttE dIAKABAnA

Co-Chair, World Health Organization Digital Health Technical Advisory Group; Harvard Medical Schools Executive Teaching Program