WHO and OIF Launch Digital Health Training for Francophone Countries
Geneva, Sunday, 28 September 2025.
The WHO and OIF are launching a digital health training course from 30 September to 16 October 2025, aimed at enhancing digital health capacities in Francophone African and Eastern Mediterranean regions.
Strategic Training Initiative
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) have joined forces to launch a strategic training course titled ‘Digital Health: Planning for National Systems.’ This initiative, running from September 30 to October 16, 2025, is focused on enhancing digital health capacities in Francophone countries within the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions. The course is designed to equip ministry leaders with the critical tools and concepts required for strategic planning and governance in digital health, an increasingly essential component of modern health systems [1].
A Response to Growing Digital Needs
As health systems worldwide increasingly rely on digital technologies, the need for skilled governance and strategic planning has become paramount. The WHO and OIF’s collaboration seeks to address these demands by offering a comprehensive curriculum that includes governance, interoperability, and data security. This course is particularly crucial for low- and middle-income countries where digital health transformation can significantly improve health service delivery and efficiency [1].
Course Components and Delivery
Participants in the ‘Digital Health: Planning for National Systems’ course will engage in approximately 11 hours of self-paced online training. This asynchronous learning is complemented by 12 live interactive sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, totaling 18 hours. These sessions provide opportunities for small group work, experience sharing, and clarification of key concepts, fostering a collaborative learning environment. The course aims to build a common understanding across sectors, thereby strengthening collaboration and preparing participants for deeper engagement in digital health strategies [1].
Long-term Impact on Health Systems
The collaboration between WHO and OIF is not just a short-term educational endeavor but a strategic move expected to have lasting impacts on health systems in the participating regions. By aligning the course with WHO and ITU frameworks, the initiative supports the broader goal of integrating digital solutions into healthcare systems. This integration is crucial for transforming healthcare delivery and achieving universal health coverage, a priority emphasized by WHO’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus [2][3].