Mon Dec 16 20:10:03 UTC 2024: ## Global Digital Health Forum Calls for Standardization in Africa
**Nairobi, Kenya** – The Global Digital Health Forum, held for the first time in Africa, concluded with a strong call for greater integration and interoperability in digital health systems. Experts highlighted the challenges created by the proliferation of disparate digital health tools and applications in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs).
Previously, community health workers in LMICs relied on manual record-keeping, a system now being replaced by digital tools. However, this transition has introduced new complexities. Multiple organizations and donors often introduce their own separate mobile applications and data systems, overwhelming health workers with a confusing array of platforms and potentially hindering efficient data collection and reporting.
The forum emphasized the urgent need for standardized guidelines and interoperable systems to streamline data collection and improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery. Participants stressed the importance of creating a unified approach to digital health, rather than a fragmented landscape of incompatible systems. This would alleviate the burden on health workers and ensure a more efficient and effective use of digital tools in improving health outcomes across the continent.
First Piper 