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Review the recording here: https://iu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/t/1_92g67qrw

🧭 Meeting Summary

The conversation centered around ongoing challenges and adaptations in digital health across several African countries due to funding cuts, particularly from USAID, and the need for sustainability and government support. Participants from Uganda, Malawi, South Sudan, and Somalia shared similar experiences, highlighting efforts to manage transitions, address data fragmentation, and promote interoperability. The group discussed the importance of country leadership, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing through initiatives like the Country Profiles and upcoming in-person engagement at the HELINA Conference in Botswana. Emphasis was placed on engaging the private sector and exploring sustainable financing models for digital health, with a commitment to continue these discussions in future meetings.

🧭 Meeting Overview

Context: Participants from various African countries shared updates on their digital health systems amidst funding uncertainties, particularly following reductions from partners like USAID. The meeting was part of the ongoing African eHealth Leadership Forum supported by HELINA.

Tone: Collaborative, reflective, and solutions-oriented, with a sense of urgency around sustainability and system resilience.

Purpose: To share country-level experiences, highlight common challenges, promote collaboration, and prepare for upcoming engagements including the HELINA Conference.

🧠 Themes & Insights

• Funding & Sustainability Challenges: Countries like Uganda, Malawi, South Sudan, and Somalia are grappling with funding cutbacks and are exploring ways to sustain digital health efforts.

• Government & Partner Engagement: Stronger advocacy to central governments is needed to ensure continuity, especially as partner support wanes.

• Interoperability & Data Systems: Fragmented systems and lack of interoperability remain key obstacles, with efforts underway (e.g., Somalia’s health information unit).

• Country Profiles as Knowledge Tools: Participants value the Country Profiles as a platform for sharing and learning from each other’s digital health journeys.

• Importance of Leadership Forums: The forum is seen as a vital space for mutual support, knowledge exchange, and coordinated progress across countries.

💬 Proposed Actions

• Share country-specific experiences and contribute to Country Profiles.

• Include discussions on private sector engagement and financing models in future meetings.

• Continue coordination and knowledge-sharing through the forum and upcoming events.

✅ Emerging Action Items

• 📝 Finalize and share formal invitations for the HELINA Conference (August 26–29) to support internal travel approvals.

• 📲 Share event updates in the WhatsApp group once details are confirmed.

• 🌍 Encourage countries to begin drafting their Country Profiles, using examples like Rwanda’s.

• 🗓 Plan for future meeting topics: private sector engagement and sustainable financing for digital health systems.