(Geneva, November 15, 2023) We are thrilled to announce the formation of the Southern African Digital Health Collaboration (SADHC), a pioneering initiative that brings together digital health leaders from the Ministries of Health in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. This collaborative effort aims to foster the sharing of experiences, insights, and best practices to support sustainable digital health implementations across the region.
A United Vision for Digital Health
The inception of SADHC stems from an energetic and productive meeting convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Cape Town on November 1, 2023. Digital health managers from the three countries recognized the immense value in uniting their efforts to address common challenges and leverage opportunities in digital health.
Ron Parker, co-founder of SADHC and the eSHIFT Partner Network, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration:
"By joining forces, we can accelerate the development of interoperable and sustainable digital health solutions that will profoundly impact healthcare delivery in our countries."
Objectives of the Collaboration
The SADHC is founded on the principles of cooperation and shared growth, with key objectives including:
- Experience Sharing: Establishing communities of practice to share experiences and identify best practices in digital health development and interoperability.
- Cross-Border Data Exchange: Enabling the secure and efficient sharing of health data across borders to support patient care in multiple countries.
- Developing Common Practices: Collaborating on the development of common standards, technologies, and policies to streamline digital health initiatives.
- Influencing Policy and Practice: Leveraging collective insights to guide developments in digital health both regionally and internationally.
Our Collaborative Approach
The SADHC will operationalise its mission through a series of initiatives:
- Regular Meetings: Convening virtual meetings every 2-3 weeks and in-person meetings three times a year to facilitate continuous engagement and knowledge exchange.
- Shared Resources: Creating a Knowledge Hub to document and share digital health strategies, landscape assessments, and maturity assessments.
- Community Engagement: Engaging with local stakeholders, including healthcare providers and communities, to ensure that digital health solutions meet the needs of those they serve.
Immediate Actions and Next Steps
To kickstart our collaboration, we have undertaken the following actions:
Established Communication Channels: Created a WhatsApp group and scheduled regular calls to maintain open lines of communication among members.
Developed a Concept Note: Prepared a comprehensive document outlining the collaboration's purpose, objectives, and planned activities to secure executive approval from each country's Ministry of Health.
Planning Future Meetings: Identifying opportunities to convene during regional events such as the African Digital Health Conference and WHO workshops.
Vincent Shaw, co-founder of SADHC and the eSHIFT Partner Network, highlighted the importance of these steps:
"Our immediate actions lay the groundwork for a robust and effective collaboration that will yield tangible benefits for our healthcare systems."
Invitation to Collaborate
While currently focused on Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, the SADHC welcomes interest from other Southern and East African countries committed to advancing digital health.
We believe that expanding our collaboration will amplify our impact and contribute to a stronger, more connected health landscape across the continent.
Acknowledgments
We extend our gratitude to The Global Fund for their support and for initiating the idea of this collaboration. Their commitment to improving global health has been instrumental in bringing us together.
We also thank the eSHIFT Partner Network for their facilitation and secretariat role in these formative stages.
Join Us in Transforming Healthcare
We are excited about the journey ahead and the positive changes this collaboration will bring to healthcare in Southern Africa. We invite healthcare professionals, policymakers, donors, and community members to join us in this endeavor.
Together, we can harness the power of digital innovation to improve health outcomes and make a lasting impact on the lives of millions.