Leaders from international health organisations, policymakers, technologists, and patient representatives convened at Campus Biotech, Geneva, for the official launch of the global movement Digital Health Sans Borders and the unveiling of the Geneva Declaration of Responsibility in Digital Health. The event, held as a hosted side event of the World Health Assembly (WHA), brought together presidents of global associations including the Federation of International Pharmacists, International Council of Nurses, International Diabetes Federation, American College of Cardiology, and representatives from WHO, UN, IGF, OECD, ITU, Commonwealth, WONCA SA, IMA, MSAI, GAIMS and others.
The launch highlighted the shared aim of reducing inequalities in healthcare by bridging the global digital health divide. The meeting included a pre-recorded message from Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, who stressed the need for cross-border cooperation in digital health to achieve Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Digital Health Sans Borders was introduced as a global commitment to ensure equitable access to healthcare in the digital age. The initiative underscores that, despite the wide availability of digital tools, millions still lack access to basic healthcare services. The movement seeks to correct these disparities by expanding access to digital health services across underserved geographies.
Dr Rajendra Pratap Gupta, architect of the movement and global digital health policy expert, stated: “This is a global moral imperative. We are not launching a movement of machines. We are launching a movement of minds and hearts. ‘Digital Health Sans Borders’ is our promise that the next child born — in Geneva or Goma — will have the same chance to live, to heal, and be healthy. Through Digital Health Sans Borders, we are building the world’s boldest movement to democratise Digital Health, moving it from being a talk at Tech Hubs in the world capitals to delivering care to the Village Hubs in remote continents. We wish to bridge the Digital Health Divide and take the ‘Best of the World’ to the ‘Rest of the World—where vast regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America remain digitally deserted’.”
Central to the gathering was the release of the Geneva Declaration of Responsibility in Digital Health. The document outlines principles for ethical, inclusive, and accountable implementation of digital health and calls on governments, the private sector, donors, and civil society to collaborate on interoperable digital infrastructure, data sharing frameworks, and affordable digital healthcare delivery.
Attendees highlighted the need for open standards, development of local capacity, and a human-centred approach to digital health. Multiple countries and international agencies expressed willingness to integrate the movement’s principles and the Declaration into their existing and future digital health policies.
Planned activities for the next year include formalising the movement into a structured project, initiating programmes in underserved regions, launching a Digital Health Champions Fellowship, and establishing a Global Steering Committee to oversee progress and outcomes.
One of the global leaders in attendance stated, “The Geneva gathering marks the beginning of a new era in healthcare. It is time to rewrite the story of digital health – one that transcends borders and truly puts people at the centre.”
The event was hosted by Health Parliament and the Academy of Digital Health Sciences, in collaboration with the Geneva Digital Health Hub and the GIDH (a WHO-hosted network). Recognised as an official side event on Digital Health and AI during the World Health Assembly, the launch signals international consensus around the movement’s objectives.
Digital Health Sans Borders now enters the global arena backed by multi-lateral institutions and a guiding ethos: One World. One Health. One Digital Future.
