Welcome to our recap of the 2023 World Health Assembly: The Voices of WHA – an exploration of this year’s World Health Assembly through the lens of Medtronic LABS.
This article delves into the key themes and shared perspectives shaping our collective understanding of digital technology’s crucial role in revolutionizing healthcare systems worldwide.
Continue reading to explore the intersection of innovation, patient-centered care, community engagement, and the overarching goal of improving health outcomes for all.
Digital Health Solutions Driving Innovation
In today’s rapidly evolving global health landscape, digital solutions have squarely emerged as arguably the most powerful drivers of innovation, propelling us toward a future where equitable access to quality care becomes a reality.
“An investment in digital health is an investment in universal health coverage (UHC). We need to prioritize action to support digital health transformation.”
Prof. Alaine, WHO Digital Health Director, during the Transform Health Side event
At Medtronic LABS, we operate at the forefront of this transformative journey, redefining global health systems through our community-centric approach and cutting-edge technology platform, SPICE.
We also know that an investment in digital health is an investment in UHC. As emphasized by Prof. Alaine Labrique, WHO Digital Health Director, during the Transform Health side event, “the integration of digital solutions is crucial” to support the ongoing transformation of healthcare. By leveraging technology, we can bridge gaps in access, enable efficient care delivery, and enhance health outcomes for individuals and communities around the world.
Our approach to digital health solutions revolves around a patient-centered perspective. As highlighted by Ruchika Singhal, President of Medtronic LABS, the ultimate goal when developing digital solutions is to improve patient well-being. With this in mind, we strive to create innovative technologies that connect healthcare providers with patients while facilitating personalized care plans, seamless care coordination, and meaningful engagement. By focusing on the end goal of improving patient outcomes, our solutions truly make a measurable difference in people’s lives.
Andrew Trister, Deputy Director of Digital Health and AI at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, aptly stated that digital solutions must facilitate action impacting health, care continuity, and quality of care.
“Digital solutions should facilitate action that impacts health, care continuity, and quality of care.”
Andrew Trister, Deputy Director, Digital Health and AI, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, during the Gates Side Event
At Medtronic LABS, we align with this vision by constantly iterating on our technology platform, SPICE, which empowers healthcare professionals and communities alike. SPICE enables comprehensive data collection, real-time monitoring of health indicators, and seamless integration with existing healthcare systems. By harnessing the power of data and technology, we enable actionable insights that drive improvements in care delivery, support care continuity, and enhance the quality of care provided.
Community Centricity is Key
In the pursuit of creating a global health system that truly meets the needs of every individual and community, Medtronic LABS stands as a beacon of innovation and patient-centricity. With a deep understanding that measurable change begins by engaging communities, we are revolutionizing the way public health and digital health innovations are developed and implemented.
As several speakers across various panels emphasized during last month’s WHA, it is essential to shift our focus from the “last mile” to the “first mile” when it comes to engagement. This approach entails actively involving communities from the earliest stages of innovation, ensuring their unique perspectives, experiences, and requirements shape the solutions we ultimately design.
One of the fundamental pillars of our community-centric approach is recognizing the vital role community health workers play. Dr. Mohammed Abdulaziz, Head of the Division of Disease Control and Prevention at Africa CDC, emphasized this during the NCD Alliance Side Event on Patient-Centered NCD Care and UHC Reforms.
“We have said much about sustainability. The most sustainable and scalable health system for Africa is that which engages community health workers.”
Dr. Mohammed Abdulazi, Head, Division of Disease Control and Prevention, Africa CDC, during the NCD Alliance Side Event on Patient-Centered NCD Care and UHC Reforms
Engaging and empowering community health workers is key to building sustainable and scalable health systems, especially in Africa. By tapping into their knowledge, expertise, and close connections with communities, we can ensure that healthcare solutions are effectively delivered and meet the specific needs of the people they serve.
We must also consider the centrality of communities in the realm of digital transformation. Pradeep Kakkattil, Founder and CEO of Health Innovation Exchange, highlighted this critical point during a side event on Scaling Community-Centric Innovation.
“We must acknowledge the centrality of communities in digital transformation if innovative digital health solutions are to even see their second birthday.”
Pradeep Kakkattil, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Health Innovation Exchange, during a side event on Scaling Community-Centric Innovation
If we aspire for innovative health solutions to thrive and endure, we must integrate the perspectives and aspirations of the communities they were designed to serve. Only by doing so can we co-create solutions that resonate with the real-life challenges faced by individuals and effectively address their healthcare needs.
At Medtronic LABS, community-centricity is the bedrock of our philosophy. We believe that by actively engaging communities, harnessing the expertise of community health workers, and embracing the transformative potential of digital health, we can pave the way for a global health system that truly serves and uplifts all.
Intentional Collaboration is at Health Reform’s Core
At Medtronic LABS, we recognize that creating a global health system of the future requires intentional collaboration and meaningful partnerships. We are leading the way by working closely with governments, health agencies, policymakers, health systems innovators, and community health workers to foster collaborative solutions that drive transformation and empower currently underserved communities.
As Prof. Alaine emphasized during the Transform Health side event, “Good and scalable digital health solutions cannot happen in a haphazard way.” But through intentional collaboration with key stakeholders, we can harness the full potential of digital health in revolutionizing healthcare.
Dr. Patrick Amoth, Acting Director General of the Ministry of Health Kenya, aptly stated during the Medtronic LABS & Devex side event that Africa does not need charity; it needs partnerships to move the needle on digital health transformation.
“Africa does not need charity; it needs partnerships to move the needle on digital health transformation.”
Dr. Patrick Amoth, Acting Director General MOH Kenya during the Medtronic LABS & Devex side event.
This quote encapsulates our commitment to fostering sustainable relationships with governments and policymakers. By aligning our efforts with national health agendas and working hand in hand with policymakers, we can drive impactful change that addresses the unique healthcare challenges faced by different regions.
Robert Yates from Chatham House emphasized the importance of a connected healthcare system during the NCDA side event. Universal health care cannot thrive in a two-tier system where public and private care are disconnected, perpetuating out-of-pocket spending. Our approach aims to bridge these gaps by engaging health systems innovators and working closely with them to develop integrated solutions that enhance access, affordability, and quality of care.
To be truly patient-centered, as Dr. Mohammed Abdulaziz from Africa CDC highlighted, we must offer integrated health services.
“Ultimately, for us to be truly patient-centered, we have to offer integrated health services. I urge all of us, and particularly the donor community, to move away from entrenching a siloed culture. It is inefficient, it is wasteful, and weakens the health system to the detriment of the patient.”
Dr. Mohammed Abdulaziz, Head, Division of Disease Control and Prevention, Africa CDC, during the NCD Alliance Side Event on Patient-Centered NCD Care and UHC Reforms
This necessitates the engagement of community health workers, who are at the forefront of delivering care and ensuring its continuity. By collaborating with community health workers and empowering them with the necessary tools and resources, we can strengthen the last mile of healthcare delivery and create a system that truly puts patients at the center.
At Medtronic LABS, intentional collaboration is at the core of our approach. By partnering with governments, health agencies, policymakers, health systems innovators, and community health workers, we create a collaborative ecosystem that fosters innovation, drives policy change, and ultimately improves health outcomes. Together, we can forge a future where intentional collaboration forms the foundation of a thriving global health system.
Together, We Can Move the Global Health Needle
Following another transformative WHA, Medtronic LABS remains motivated to improve global health by recognizing the diversity of communities and embracing localized solutions. We are laying the roots for sustainable, systems-level transformation in global healthcare by understanding local contexts, harnessing innovative technology, and fostering partnerships.
Interested in learning more about Medtronic LABS and our highly localized approach to global health reform? Contact us today – we’d love to talk.
Together, we can transform global health systems and restore human dignity.
