India identified digital health as top priority, gained expertise: UNICEF India's chief of health

India has identified digital health as one of its top priorities and has gained excellent expertise in developing and implementing digital health programmes, said UNICEF India's chief of health Luigi d'Aquino on April 18.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made the world realise the potential of digital services in improving the availability, accessibility and efficiency of many health programmes, through various applications and initiatives, Luigi, who is attending the second G20 Health Working Group meeting, told sources.

To that end, UNICEF is working with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to reconceptualise the Reproductive and Child Health Portal.

This will enable health-care workers to provide real-time data about women and children which can influence planning, decision-making and tracking of the most marginalised or at-risk population and improve health outcomes for children, Luigi stressed.

The second meeting of the G20 health working group aims to leverage the advocacy power of the forum for consolidation of all the existing initiatives in health emergencies, prevention and preparedness.

Apart from India, delegates from 19 G20 member states, 10 countries and 22 international organisations are participating in the meeting.