Mr. Jai Ganesh Udayasankaran of AeHIN, fourth from the left, and Ms. Rumanusina Francine Maua of PHIN, sixth from the left, at the Regional Updates and Case Studies panel.

Mr. Jai Ganesh Udayasankaran, Executive Director of the Asia eHealth Information Network (AeHIN), and Ms. Rumanusina Francine Maua, the Health Information System Adviser at the Public Health Division of South Pacific Community (SPC), had a brief meeting during the “Multistakeholder Dialogue on National Digital Health Transformation” consultation organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on May 29, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland, renewing the partnership and collaboration between AeHIN and Pacific Health Information Network (PHIN).

The SPC, together with the WHO, provides technical secretariat support to the Pacific Health Information Network (PHIN). In the meeting, Udayasankaran and Maua discussed the immediate opportunities for collaboration between AeHIN and PHIN, including webinars, digital health training such as the Digital Health Planning National Systems Course (DHPNS), and Convergence Workshops in the Pacific Island Countries (PICs).

In the panel on Regional Updates and Case Studies held on the same day, Maua and Udayasankaran reiterated the relevance and need for networks like AeHIN and PHIN to work together and enhance learning, sharing, and support among peers of the networks and expressed their interest to work together as part of WHO’S Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH).

Dr. Alvin Marcelo of AeHIN, fifth from the left at the back, and PHIN members pose for a photo. Photo by Kate Spyby via Pacific Health Information Support Hub (PHISH)’s LinkedIn.

Dr. Alvin Marcelo, one of the directors at AeHIN, also reconnected with PHIN on the sidelines of the PHIN Board meeting on August 9, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. It marks a significant milestone in digital health development across Asia and the Pacific. Both networks were initially established by the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the unique challenges faced by countries in these regions in leveraging digital health technologies for improved healthcare delivery.

Background

Formed in 2011, AeHIN aimed to strengthen health systems through information and communication technology (ICT) and improve health outcomes by promoting standards, interoperability, and capacity-building initiatives across Asia.

Established in 2006, PHIN focused on supporting Pacific Island countries in developing robust health information systems to address public health challenges and enhance healthcare services.

A Shared Vision for an Interoperable Future

While both networks have made significant progress independently, the growing complexity of health challenges and the rapid advancement of digital health technologies necessitated a more unified approach. By sharing knowledge, AEHIN and PHIN can pool resources, exchange best practices, and foster greater collaboration among member countries to address common challenges more effectively.

A collaboration will produce several benefits:

  1. Sharing of expertise and resources: fostering cross-regional collaborations that can lead to innovative solutions for digital health challenges.
  2. Streamlined Efforts: the collaboration can better coordinate efforts to implement WHO guidelines, promote interoperability standards, and support the development of sustainable digital health systems.
  3. Capacity Building: by combining training programs and knowledge-sharing initiatives, the network can strengthen the capacity of healthcare professionals across both regions to utilize digital health tools effectively.
  4. Resource Optimization: Unified efforts can lead to more efficient use of resources, reducing duplication of efforts and maximizing the impact of investments in digital health initiatives.
Future Directions

AeHIN and PHIN will discuss a common agenda to pave the way for a more integrated and strategic approach to digital health development. The collaboration will focus on:

  • Training – Expanding access to digital health tools and technologies to underserved communities.
  • Laboratory access
  • Communities of practice

The reunification of AeHIN and PHIN represents a transformative step toward building resilient health systems in Asia and the Pacific. By leveraging the strengths and experiences of both networks, the unified entity is poised to drive significant advancements in digital health, ultimately improving health outcomes for millions across the regions.