WHO’s Global Digital Health Certification Network
A concerning development
Warning, the subtitle contains British understatement.
https://www.who.int/initiatives/global-digital-health-certification-network
Today’s video is still available on YouTube I am delighted to say. Yesterday there was a problem. Rather than an appeal, and risk a rejection and getting a strike, it is safer just to delete a video. This way I live to fight another day.
I find it bizarre, and indeed a little sinister that the WHO seem to spend so much time on new treaties, regulations and digital control projects.
I would have thought they should spend more time on world health.
These were the notes and references I used in the video.
WHO has established the Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN).
Open-source platform, built on robust & transparent standards,
that establishes the first building block of digital public health infrastructure,
for developing a wide range of digital products,
for strengthening pandemic preparedness
Background
Member States used digital COVID-19 test and vaccine certificates
As the directing and coordinating authority on international health work, at the onset of the pandemic,
WHO engaged with all WHO Regions to define overall guidance for such certificates and published the Digital Documentation of COVID-19 Certificates
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-Digital_certificates-vaccination-2021.1
there is a recognition of an existing gap,
and continued need for a global mechanism,
that can support bilateral verification of the provenance of health documents
The GDHCN may include
Digitisation of the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, verification of prescriptions across borders
International Patient Summary
Verification of vaccination certificates within and across borders
Certification of public health professionals (through WHO Academy)
Expanding such digital solutions will be essential to deliver better health for people across the globe.
The GDHCN has been designed to be interoperable with other existing regional networks
EU-WHO digital partnership
WHO and the European Commission have agreed to partner in digital health.
This partnership will work to technically develop the WHO system with a staged approach to cover additional use cases,
In June 2023, WHO will take up the European Union (EU) system of digital COVID-19 certification to establish a global system,
that will help facilitate global mobility
This is the first building block of the WHO Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN)
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
WHO aims to offer all WHO Member States access,
On the principles of equity, innovation, transparency and data protection and privacy
Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
This partnership is an important step for the digital action plan of the EU Global Health Strategy,
we contribute to digital health standards and interoperability globally
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market
The EU certificate … has also facilitated international travel and tourism
I am pleased that the WHO will build on …. cutting-edge technology … to create a global tool against future pandemics
One of the key elements in the European Union’s work against the COVID-19 pandemic has been digital COVID-19 certificates.
WHO will facilitate this process globally under its own structure … allow the world to benefit from convergence of digital certificates.
Expanding such digital solutions will be essential to deliver better health for citizens across the globe.
The WHO and the European Commission will work together to encourage maximum global uptake and participation.
The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have therefore raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.” Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.” The English have not been “A Bit Cross” since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from “Tiresome” to “A Bloody Nuisance.” The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.
John Cleese
“Warning, ...contains British understatement.” 😂😂😂