Every national digital health program thinks its situation is unique.
Different legacy systems, different regulations, different politics, different funding models, different ways of doing things. All leading to unique and often poorly conceived solutions that leave every party involved mildly dissatisfied.
The problems are rarely unique, no matter how much we’d like to think they are.
Source system integrations are complex everywhere. Terminology gaps and data governance questions are textbook problems regardless of country. Interoperability, data semantics, stakeholder involvement – the same no matter where you are.
Treating them as unique is how poor decisions get made and weak systems get built.
The WHO has just published new reference architecture guidance for national digital health infrastructure. It’s an attempt to give countries a common framework to work from rather than starting from scratch.
Public comment is open until 6 September 2026.
Details: https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/call-for-public-comments-and-invitation-to-review
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