Virtual Health and Care- the use of virtual means for overcoming healthcare challenges- is a major change in paradigm in the access to health at a global scale.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a catalyst for the use and development of VH&C solutions in many countries. Though many gaps remain in particular in the field of equity.

Indeed, many factors influence the digital exclusion thus the lack of access to VH&C of different categories of the population. Age, disability, language and socio-economic barriers for instance are considered as important limiting factors.

Solutions have to be found to increase the adoption of VH&C and tackle inequity at an international level.

The development of adequate health policies in data governance, reimbursement, regulatory appears to be key to reach those objectives.

The objective of the session would be as follow:

• Share the preliminary outcomes of a Landscape Review report from the Broadband Commission Virtual Health and Care WG
• Understand the key challenges to drive maturity and equity
• Share actionable recommendations for global policy makers to ensure equity and data security.
• Share concrete examples of successful implementation of telemedicine

Speakers: 

• Florence Gaudry Perkins, Digital Health Partnerships
• Béatrice Garrette, Observatoire De la E-Santé dans les pays du Sud
• Antoine Geissbuhler, University of Geneva
• Klara Jordan, CyberPeace Institute
• Jason Shellaby, Novartis Foundation
• Manu Tiwari, Accenture
• Philippe Veltsos, Path

This session will take place during the Geneva Health Forum 2022 (GHF). This forum brings together key actors to help find solutions to global health challenges. Created in 2006, it is organized by the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) and the University of Geneva in partnership with 30 global multisectoral organizations, with the overall goal to contribute to improving health and care access in the world.