The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Commission are joining forces to strengthen healthcare information systems and healthcare data interoperability in the European Region. The European Commission is putting €12 million into the project.
The four-year project aims to improve the use and reuse of healthcare data by healthcare providers, policy makers and patients alike. The project aims to take the quality and interoperability of healthcare information systems to the next level.
Learning lessons and taking systems to the next level
Among other things, the WHO and the European Commission will look at what lessons can be learned from healthcare information systems in several European countries. They want to apply these lessons to systems in other countries, thus taking these systems to the next level.
The project covers not only EU member states, but all 53 countries that are part of the European Region. This is WHO's European operating area, covering 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia.
Health Information Network
Part of the project includes the creation of the Health Information Network. This is a network of countries that together take decisions, dialogue and exchange knowledge on health information system and health data.
The initiative is based on the principles and ideas from the European Health Data Space (EHDS) framework. This framework aims to facilitate the use and reuse of healthcare data within the European Union. The European Parliament and the Council of Europe have yet to endorse the European legislative proposal for the EHDS framework.
The project is part of the EU4HEALTH programme. A key objective of this programme is to protect people in the EU and immediate surroundings from serious cross-border health threats.
Accelerating adoption of new products and treatments
"Effectively and securely harnessing the full potential of health data means that healthcare providers, policymakers and digital health innovators can accelerate the adoption of new products and treatments, putting these tools in the hands of those who need them most," stated Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe.
He added: "This new data and digital health partnership between the European Commission and WHO/Europe further aligns our efforts, building on European best practices for promoting secure, reliable and resilient health information systems."
'Improving care and transforming public health'
"The importance of health data cannot be overemphasised. Having robust health information systems and accessible health data can improve the efficiency, safety and personalisation of healthcare and transform public health as we know it. This is why the European Commission has developed the proposal for a European Health Data Space, part of a strong European Health Union, whose principles can benefit public health. Not only within the European Union (EU), but across the European region," said Sandra Gallina, Director-General for Health and Food Safety at the European Commission.
Gallina: "The partnership with WHO/Europe is an important opportunity to accelerate European integration by supporting the alignment of health data management and technical standards in European and non-EU countries with EU standards, including for citizens' and health professionals' access to health data."
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Image: Darko Stojanovic via Pixabay
