Dr. Boonchai Kijsanayotin presenting at the Global Health and Welfare Forum 2024

The Asia eHealth Information Network (AeHIN) participated in the 20th Global Health and Welfare Forum 2024 with the theme “Developing Global Health: The Health Right for All” on November 5-6 at the Chang Yung-Fa Foundation International Convention Center in Taipei, Taiwan. The forum convened policymakers, academics, and health experts.

On the first day of the forum, AeHIN Chair Dr. Boonchai Kijsanayotin presented at the plenary session on health diplomacy. He emphasized the growing importance of “digital health diplomacy” in enabling collaboration and strengthening health systems across nations. Dr. Kijsanayotin highlighted AeHIN’s role in promoting partnerships between each country in South and Southeast Asia’s digital health stakeholders and its efforts to advance interoperability and digital health capacity building.

The presentation also underscored how AeHIN serves as a model of regional collaboration, facilitating knowledge exchange and creating opportunities for member states to align with global health data standards. He shared examples of AeHIN’s initiatives to promote equitable access to digital health tools, calling attention to the need for unified strategies to address shared challenges like cross-border data sharing, cybersecurity, and workforce capacity.

Following the forum, on November 7, Dr. Kijsanayotin attended the APEC Digital Health Policy Dialogue: Intersection of Digital Health Technologies and One Health, which was held in the same venue. This dialogue brought together experts and policymakers from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss the role of digital health technologies in addressing public health challenges and advancing “One Health” strategies. Dr. Kijsanayotin participated in discussions, contributing insights on regional collaboration and the alignment of digital health policies across APEC economies.

The APEC Digital Health Policy Dialogue addressed key topics such as AI-based digital health policy directions, practical applications of digital health in “One Health,” and emerging challenges in APEC economies, including cybersecurity and infrastructure gaps. Dr. Kijsanayotin’s participation highlighted AeHIN’s focus on bridging gaps in digital health implementation while encouraging partnerships that drive innovation and strengthen the stability of health systems.

Dr. Kijsanayotin’s engagement at the Global Health and Welfare Forum and the APEC Digital Health Policy Dialogue reflects AeHIN’s commitment to advancing digital health in the region. Through his contributions, AeHIN continues to emphasize the importance of interoperability, regional collaboration, and knowledge-sharing in achieving equitable and effective healthcare solutions.