WHO Advances Digital Health with Global Consultation on Health Wallets
Geneva, Sunday, 15 June 2025.
WHO, at its Global Digital Collaboration Meeting 2025, is focusing on developing secure, interoperable digital health wallets to enhance patient engagement and health data management worldwide.
Understanding Digital Health Wallets
Digital health wallets are an innovative approach to managing personal health information securely and accessibly. They aim to seamlessly integrate patient data, vaccination history, and other medical records into a single digital framework, enhancing efficiency and interoperability in healthcare systems globally [1]. As part of the Global Digital Collaboration Meeting 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners seek to address technical and security challenges associated with these digital solutions, reflecting their commitment to global health priorities [1].
Technical Sessions and Expert Consultations
The meeting, scheduled for 1-2 July 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland, will host both open and closed sessions focused on verifiable digital health wallets and their technical architecture [1]. In particular, the discussions will delve into the Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN) and the Digital Public Infrastructure for Health (DPI-H), aiming to align new technologies with globally accepted health standards [1]. These structured sessions are intended to bring together experts who will document country-specific implementation experiences, obstacles, and best practices regarding digital health wallets [1].
Impact on Healthcare Delivery
The enhanced digital health infrastructure could revolutionize patient engagement and healthcare delivery by providing accessible and real-time information. By leveraging interoperability, these health wallets are designed to enhance patients’ control over their healthcare decisions and streamline processes such as vaccination verification, significantly impacting global health imperatives such as the Hajj Health Card implementation [1][2].
Future Directions and Innovations
Moving forward, WHO emphasizes the necessity for international cooperation in refining these technologies and their deployment. The collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to develop comprehensive guidance on a healthcare-focused Digital Public Infrastructure illustrates this pursuit [1][3]. The anticipated introduction of amendments to the International Health Regulations, which will require global acceptance of digital vaccination certificates by the end of 2025, further underscores the urgent need for reliable, scalable digital health solutions [1].