From 1 to 3 July 2025, the 15th meeting of the Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP) took place in Salvador, Brazil. Under the chairmanship of the Netherlands, 42 participating countries and the WHO came together to jointly set the direction for the digital transformation of healthcare. The Summit delivered concrete results, including the structural embedding of artificial intelligence (AI) within the GDHP agenda and broad support for the establishment of a new working group on data governance.
Further cooperation with the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) and the WHO was also strengthened. Yemen's accession was formally confirmed during the meeting, further expanding the membership base. Under the Dutch chairmanship, Spain, Malaysia, Romania, Lithuania and the Czech Republic also joined last year, contributing to the growing diversity and global representation of the network.
Digital health presentations
Host country Brazil presented various innovations in digital health, including a central coordination system in the state of Bahia that connects patients in real time to available hospital capacity. The implementation of the International Patient Summary (IPS) was also demonstrated. This is a practical example of regional cooperation, partly inspired by previous GDHP initiatives in Canada and South Korea.
Representing more than 40 per cent of the world's population, the GDHP is a unique international platform for policy development and knowledge sharing in the field of e-health. The collaboration supports countries in accelerating digital solutions and promoting interoperability, governance and patient-centred care.
One more time under Dutch chairmanship
The next GDHP Summit will take place in November 2025 and will mark the end of the Dutch chairmanship. Until then, further substantive development within the working groups is expected, as well as new members joining the network. Bianca Rouwenhorst, Director of Information Policy and CIO at the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, will serve as chair on behalf of the Netherlands until the end of 2025.
The GHDP is a network of governments from 42 countries and the World Health Organisation (WHO) that facilitates knowledge exchange and cooperation on various topics related to digital health. Together, the GDHP members represent more than 40 per cent of the world's population.
Progress of GHDP working groups in digital healthcare
Five permanent thematic working groups and various temporary Digital Health Interest Groups provide knowledge, policy advice and practical tools based on international experience. An overview of the work and progress to date:
1. Involvement of healthcare professionals and citizens in digital health
The Clinical & Human Engagement working group focuses on digital health skills and co-design. In May 2025, the group published a Digital Health Literacy Toolkit: an international overview of successful strategies for strengthening digital skills among citizens. A new project has also been launched to investigate the impact of digital tools on work pressure and burnout among healthcare professionals.
2. Cybersecurity: secure digital healthcare
The Cybersecurity working group developed the Guidance for Medical Device Cybersecurity (GMDC), which distinguishes four levels of cybersecurity for medical devices. This guideline supports healthcare institutions and manufacturers in making secure purchasing and design choices.
3. Evidence and evaluation of digital health interventions
The Evidence & Evaluation working group is working on a Standardised Benefits Realisation Framework and publishes white papers on the acceptance and evaluation of digital applications. A new report examines the state of digital maturity worldwide, based on input from countries participating in an international survey. An evaluation of the long-term benefits of EPDs has recently been launched.
4. Interoperability and data exchange in healthcare
The Interoperability working group is working on the Global Observatory of Health Standards (GOHS), which provides insight into standards and implementation approaches worldwide. In addition, the group is supporting a pilot for the application of the International Patient Summary (IPS) during the Hajj, with the aim of enabling the global applicability of patient data.
5. Policy frameworks and governance for digital health
The Policy Environments working group, in collaboration with the OECD, developed the Policy Repository Tool: a dynamic database for international digital health policy. The group also focuses on policy coordination around AI. Focus areas include common AI principles, scalability, security and transparency. During the last Summit, Canada, Ireland and the OECD presented in-depth insights into AI in healthcare.
Cooperation within these working groups enables countries to share knowledge, strengthen policy and accelerate the implementation of digital healthcare innovations.
