From Strategy to Action: The Present of Digital Health
By MSc. Víctor Piriz Correa, MD, MPH
Digital health has consolidated itself as a strategic pillar for the sustainable transformation of healthcare systems worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has outlined a clear roadmap for the 2028–2033 period, prioritizing interoperability, ethical artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and sustainable financing (1).
In Latin America, MERCOSUR is advancing through concrete initiatives such as the Mercosur Digital Citizen project, which promotes cross-border interoperability of digital identities. Uruguay has emerged as a regional benchmark, internationally recognized for its digital governance maturity (2). These developments demonstrate that digital ambition, when aligned with institutional capacity, can generate measurable public value.
Across Asia, the region has positioned itself as a global epicenter of digital health innovation. AI-assisted diagnostics, telehealth expansion, wearable devices, and interoperable platforms are reshaping service delivery models. Nonetheless, structural challenges persist—particularly infrastructure disparities, regulatory harmonization, and equitable adoption (3,4).
China exemplifies a comprehensive digital agenda integrating the expansion of the digital yuan (e-CNY), telemedicine growth, and accelerated AI deployment within healthcare systems (5,6). The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed digital health expansion, fostering regulatory reforms and large-scale market growth (6,7). Research highlights that China’s governance approach is characterized by strong political commitment, multisectoral coordination, and a whole-of-society framework, although data fragmentation and rural–urban disparities remain pressing concerns (8,9).
Meanwhile, the European Union advances under its Digital Strategy 2030 and the European Health Data Space (EHDS), promoting universal access to electronic health records and secure cross-border data exchange (10). Uruguay and MERCOSUR remain strategically aligned with these global dynamics, demonstrating that digital transformation can be effectively contextualized beyond high-income settings (11).
Governance in Digital Health
The WHO, through the World Health Assembly and Executive Board, plays a central role in shaping global digital health governance. In 2025, the International Symposium on AI Regulation (AIRIS 2025) underscored the importance of proportional regulation, international cooperation, and global governance frameworks to ensure the safe and ethical use of AI in healthcare (12).
At the regional level, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has endorsed a Roadmap for Digital Transformation of the Health Sector and an Action Plan to strengthen Health Information Systems, with emphasis on capacity building in low- and middle-income countries (1).
China’s governance model, described by Wang et al., demonstrates how comprehensive digital health policies can align infrastructure, legislation, training, and implementation at scale (8). Wu et al. further emphasize alignment with the WHO Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH), addressing infrastructure, terminology, cybersecurity, and interoperability challenges (9).
Digital Integration and Responsible Scalability
MERCOSUR’s Digital Agenda Group continues advancing interoperability through the Mercosur Digital Citizen initiative, enabling citizens from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay to use their national digital identities across member states (2). Uruguay’s leadership has been recognized internationally, including at the ExcelGob 2024 Awards for cross-border digital identification (13).
Uruguay’s Digital Government Plan 2025 and the evolution of the Salud.uy program—including the National Digital Prescription and National Electronic Health Record—consolidate its regional leadership in interoperability and digital security (14). The Digital Health Community of Uruguay fosters collaboration among ecosystem stakeholders to enhance communication, knowledge exchange, and joint innovation (15).
Consultancies such as Seniors International Consulting (SICs) engage strategically within these ecosystems to promote interoperable, sustainable, and outcome-driven digital health solutions (16).
Persistent Challenges
Significant challenges remain, including digital literacy gaps, coordinated investment, and public trust. Cybersecurity has become a strategic imperative, given the increasing sophistication of cyber threats targeting sensitive health data (17).
The transformative power of AI, telemedicine, wearable technologies, and electronic health records enhances patient-centered care, accessibility, and efficiency (18,19). However, ethical AI operationalization and trustworthy governance frameworks are essential to ensure equitable deployment.
Additionally, the aging healthcare workforce presents structural challenges. Digital solutions—including AI-supported workflows and hybrid care models—can mitigate workforce shortages, but require continuous training and adaptive implementation strategies (20).
Digital Transformation: Beyond Digitalization
The distinction between digitalization and transformation is not semantic but strategic. Digitalization—transitioning from paper to data, automating tasks, deploying digital platforms—may improve efficiency. Digital transformation, however, requires redesigning value creation, delivery, and capture models, positioning patients and citizens at the center while aligning governance, culture, and execution.
True transformation occurs when technology is embedded from strategic inception, supported by agile methodologies, data-driven leadership, proactive change management, and organizational cultures capable of adaptation and resilience.
From strategy to action, sustainable digital health transformation depends on integrating vision, governance, and implementation.
Conclusion
Digital health represents a paradigm shift redefining public well-being. Uruguay and MERCOSUR, aligned with the WHO’s global strategy, demonstrate that digital ambition can translate into tangible and sustainable impact.
The present is digital—and unfolding rapidly. The imperative is not to slow technological acceleration, but to channel it strategically, avoiding technological anxiety while strengthening governance, equity, and institutional resilience.
The transformation of healthcare systems is no longer a future projection. It is a present responsibility.
References
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Inter-American Development Bank; Red Gealc. Mercosur Digital Citizen initiative presentation. Washington (DC): IDB; 2024.
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