La health is a universal right, and technology is playing an increasingly important role in ensuring that this right is respected. L'World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union they are collaborating to create a digital health passport, an initiative that aims to protect people around the world from future health threats, such as pandemic.
One step closer to global health protection: the digital health passport
The digital health passport will function similar to the vaccination passport introduced by the European Union in 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic. This tool has made it possible to simplify and speed up health checks, while ensuring the privacy of personal data.
However, the digital certification system will now be global, not just regional, as part of the WHO Digital Health Certification Global Network (GDHCN extension). This means that the digital health passport will be recognized and usable worldwide, facilitating international travel and ensuring a uniform level of health protection. This initiative was signed by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, e Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health, as part of a historic initiative to strengthen global health security. The first building block of the certificate is expected to be completed by June 2023.
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The passport will include data on all existing vaccinations and tests performed by the user, including those related to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. This will ensure that health authorities around the world have access to accurate and up-to-date information, facilitating the management of health emergencies. However, its adoption will depend on each country, but WHO will ensure that it provides the necessary parameters for participation and validation of certificates to prevent fraud. This is a key aspect to ensure trust in the system and its effectiveness.
The European Union's digital certificate of health is currently the most widely used in the world, accepted in 80 countries and regions during the coronavirus pandemic. This is due to ease of verification of the user's vaccinations and tests through a simple application for Android and iOS, which has streamlined the international travel screening process.
