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review the meeting recording here: https://iu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/t/1_kmk9vswy?st=35

🧭 Meeting Overview

• Context: The group gathered to address the recent disruption caused by the sudden withdrawal or reduction of U.S. government aid in digital/global health initiatives.

• Tone: Open, honest, and solution-focused dialogue centered on sustainability, national ownership, and collaboration.

• Purpose: To share personal experiences, challenges, and opportunities arising from the funding shift, and to propose actionable steps forward.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Key Participants & Contributions

Steven Wanyee

• Framed the conversation around leadership and sustainability amid global funding shifts.

• Encouraged honest sharing of experiences and constructive dialogue.

• Proposed developing a shared report and advocacy plan.

Paul Biondich (Regenstrief Institute)

• Reaffirmed Regenstrief's commitment to supporting digital health work despite U.S. policy changes.

• Emphasized using the crisis as an opportunity to address long-standing structural issues.

• Encouraged collective learning and self-determination.

🌍 Country-Specific & Individual Contributions

Dr. Alinafe Mbewe (Malawi)

• Described chaos caused by abrupt partner withdrawal — some systems fell back to paper-based.

• Expressed the urgent need for ownership, technical capacity, and "patriotism" in digital health.

• Prioritized critical system elements that can be sustained locally.

• Strongly advocated for new terms of partnership: “If you're coming back, come back on our terms.”

Innocent Chiboma (Zambia)

• Shared Zambia's creation of a minimum essential services package to maintain continuity.

• Highlighted the value of existing government-hosted systems and gaps in local troubleshooting capacity.

• Suggested that facilities with more local ownership were more resilient.

Daniel Otzoy (RECAINSA, Latin America)

• Criticized the paternalistic nature of traditional aid models.

• Called for South-South collaboration and leveraging public-private partnerships for innovation.

• Highlighted regional resilience and encouraged cross-country knowledge sharing.

Phiona

• Advocated for sustainability through evaluating and scaling already-existing systems.

• Called on the community to look inward for solutions and seek alternative philanthropic support.

• Shared a paper on digital health sustainability.

Andrew Likaka

• Described significant disruption across institutions he supports.

• Urged governments to move from commitment to real investment.

• Suggested a needs assessment and alignment of digital strategies with budgets.

Trymore Chawurura (Zimbabwe)

• Shared that digital health strategies often diverged from donor-driven implementations.

• Warned that governments may abandon digital health due to lack of budgeted funding.

• Emphasized the need for digital literacy within governments for sustainability.

Sylvere (Rwanda)

• Highlighted internal innovation and capacity-building during COVID-19.

• Shared that most digital tools used in Rwanda are now locally owned.

• Promoted a phased, domestic-led transition toward full digital sovereignty.

🧠 Themes & Insights

🔧 Resilience & Ownership

• Many countries are striving to take charge of digital health systems and not rely entirely on external aid.

• Importance of government leadership, strategic planning, and resource allocation.

🚨 Crisis as Catalyst

• This funding disruption is a wake-up call and an opportunity to shift toward local control and sustainability.

🤝 Collaboration & Learning

• Calls for deeper collaboration across countries and organizations, especially within the Global South.

• Willingness to share tools, strategies, and lessons.

💰 Financial Models

• Recognition of the need to rethink funding models.

• Proposals for diversified financing, including domestic resources and new philanthropic partners.

💬 Proposed Actions

• Compile a collective report capturing these experiences.

• Advocate through regional forums and institutions.

• Push for digital health to be recognized and budgeted at national levels.

• Strengthen internal capacities through training and system simplification.

✅ Emerging Action Items

1. Develop a formal report summarizing the meeting’s findings and proposals.

2. Promote domestic digital health investment and integrate digital health into national budgets.

3. Encourage country ownership by redefining terms of collaboration with implementing partners.

4. Conduct national needs assessments for digital health systems.

5. Share existing tools and frameworks for sustainability evaluation.

6. Support cross-country mentorship and experience sharing (South-South collaboration).

Review the recording here: https://iu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/t/1_8pl5ptes

The meeting began with informal greetings and discussions before transitioning to updates from participants across regions. Thomas, the country director for Data.FI in Botswana, described the halt in eHealth implementations due to an aid freeze. Innocent shared Zambia’s challenges with disrupted health systems and uneven project handovers, emphasizing the need for ministry-led sustainability efforts. Daniel and Esteban from Latin America reflected on differing funding dynamics, highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships and self-sufficiency amid declining aid. Chile’s experience demonstrated the role of academia and consistent political support in advancing digital health. Comparisons were drawn to Africa, where digital transformation has roots in HIV-related funding but remains under-prioritized. Steve questioned the sector’s perceived value and stressed reframing its importance for political support. Paul and others discussed how automation and international advocacy could help leaders see digital transformation as cost-effective and essential. The group agreed on the importance of structured, strategic conversations, leveraging global support, and using this forum to push for sustainable, locally led digital health initiatives. 

Review the recording here: https://iu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/t/1_e5rmkhjf?st=408

Participants discussed progress on digital health implementation, particularly around Health Information Exchange (HIE) and the need for national standards and governance. Rosemary (WHO-HQ) emphasized supporting clinical decision-making through data and shared updates on guideline development, while Hassan highlighted Somalia’s challenges with standardization and interest in developing a country HIE profile. Esteban and Paul contributed technical and strategic guidance, with a plan to reconvene the eHealth leaders in person later in the year.

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.