News

Improving routine health information systems in the European Region 07-07-2021

Routine health information systems (RHISs) have the potential to dramatically improve decision-making among health-care professionals in the WHO European Region. However, a new study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health has identified challenges which make staff reluctant to adopt new technology that may help improve patient outcomes.

WHO/Europe launches new monitoring tool, tracking rates of COVID-19 in UEFA Euro 2020 host cities 30-06-2021

With the UEFA European Football Championships being played in cities across the WHO European Region, WHO/Europe has launched an “explorer” or monitoring tool providing an overview of the current COVID-19 situation in the Region, with a particular focus on UEFA EURO 2020 host cities.

WHO and ECDC launch indicator framework to evaluate public health effectiveness of digital proximity tracing solutions 28-06-2021

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) together with WHO, through its headquarters and Regional Office for Europe, have developed the first indicator framework to evaluate the public health effectiveness of digital proximity tracing solutions.

Anticipating health workforce and hospital needs to plan for a better COVID-19 response in Kyrgyzstan 19-05-2021

Two WHO tools, developed to forecast requirements for health workforce surge capacity and hospital bed availability during the COVID-19 pandemic, were tailored to fit the context of the response in Kyrgyzstan.

Empowerment through Digital Health – virtual rooms of real patients: a Georgian doctor reimagines his country’s health-care system 24-02-2021

“There was a crisis of information flow between the system and the patients at home,” says Dr Davit Mrelashvili, a neurologist from Georgia, referring to the pressure on his country’s health-care system when COVID-19 took hold. “As the country’s hospitals filled up, it was hard for stay-at-home patients to get timely, expert advice, and the 911 emergency system clogged up for those who truly needed it.”

Meet Florence, WHO’s digital health worker who can help you quit tobacco 15-02-2021

Florence is a 24/7 virtual health worker able to provide digital counselling services to those trying to quit tobacco. She also shares WHO public health messages and recommendations on tobacco and COVID-19.

WHO/Europe looks ahead to a busy 2021 08-02-2021

Following an unprecedented year for WHO in 2020, WHO/Europe looks ahead to 2021 with a focus on the continuing COVID-19 pandemic alongside the implementation of the European Programme of Work.

One year on: European Programme of Work forms vital part of COVID-19 response 03-02-2021

A year since being confirmed as WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge has overseen the endorsement by Member States of the European Programme of Work, 2020–2025 – “United Action for Better Health in Europe” (EPW), which has already had an impact on WHO/Europe’s response to the pandemic.

Scaling up telemedicine services in Romania post COVID-19 19-01-2021

WHO is working with Romania’s Ministry of Health and health professionals in the country to make telephone consultations more widely available. The aim is to institutionalize telemedicine in Romania and make the service easily accessible to patients during and after the pandemic. WHO supported a proposal by the Ministry’s Paediatric Commission to update national health legislation to include phone triage, thereby helping to strengthen health services in the wake of COVID-19.

WHO/Europe and Norwegian Centre for E-health Research renew partnership 03-12-2020

The Norwegian Centre for E-health Research and WHO/Europe have renewed an agreement first established 18 years ago to collaborate on e-health and telemedicine.

Enhancement to COVID-19 mobile app rolled out across WHO European Region 28-10-2020

HealthBuddy+ aims to provide accurate information for people across the European Region to protect themselves from COVID-19

Estonia and WHO to work together on digital health and innovation 07-10-2020

WHO and Estonia have agreed to collaborate on developing a digitally enhanced International Certificate of Vaccination, a “smart yellow card” to help strengthen the effectiveness of the COVAX initiative, which has been established to speed development and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Progress reports on health and sustainable development now available for Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan 16-09-2020

WHO has launched 3 new sustainable development country progress reports for Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, as part of the Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All.

Ministers back 5-year plan to put health in Europe on track 14-09-2020

Today, ministers of health and public health leaders from the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region endorsed a new 5-year vision, the European Programme of Work (EPW) 2020–2025, that sets down how WHO/Europe and its Member States will work together to meet citizens’ expectations for health.

Digital health: transforming and extending the delivery of health services 09-09-2020

Digital health is a broad category encompassing electronic health, mobile health, telehealth and health data, among others. It offers solutions that can strengthen health systems, such as bringing health services directly to people’s homes and to underserved communities, helping to map outbreaks of disease, and integrating digital tools that make health care more responsive and productive.

New 5-year programme for health in Europe on the agenda at virtual annual meeting 03-07-2020

The 70th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC70), the annual meeting of the governing bodies of the European Region, will be held on 14–15 September 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting will be held virtually with a reduced 2-day programme.

Working together to tackle the “infodemic” 29-06-2020

Shortly after declaring the outbreak of COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), WHO’s Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned of the threat of an “infodemic” – an overabundance of information, some of which can be misleading or even harmful.

Digital health is about empowering people 25-06-2020

Digital technologies have proved to be powerful tools to fight COVID-19. However, these same technologies have exposed us to a tsunami of information and have raised many issues around data protection and privacy.

Smartphone app aids midwives in Kyrgyzstan 28-02-2020

Dilara Safarova knows she can rely on the Safe Delivery application when faced with a complicated delivery. “The app provides evidence-based content, in line with WHO recommendations, on a range of topics, including active management of labour, postpartum haemorrhage and emergency first aid for newborns,” she explains.

Katja Soininen – providing health care services in the digital age 21-02-2020

“We nurses are always working to empower patients, and sometimes we tend to see ourselves as the main actors in people’s health. But really, patients themselves are the protagonists and digital health technologies can empower them in their self-care,” says 40-year old Katja Soininen, an electrophysiology nurse finishing up her Master’s degree in digital health at Kuopio University Hospital in Finland.

The year ahead: key events across the WHO European Region in 2020 21-01-2020

A busy and exciting year is in store for the WHO European Region with a range of important initiatives, campaigns and events on the horizon. WHO/Europe will continue to work to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as WHO’s 13th General Programme of Work. In February, WHO/Europe is set to welcome Dr Hans Kluge as the new Regional Director once his nomination is approved by WHO’s Executive Board. Dr Kluge will take over from Dr Piroska Östlin, Regional Director (a.i.) who, as part of her mandate, has been leading the Office’s efforts to put countries at the centre. Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab was declared Regional Director Emeritus by the 69th session of the Regional Committee in September 2019.

WHO/Europe and Norway discuss improving affordable access to innovative medicines 16-01-2020

All countries across the WHO European Region face a challenge in ensuring that high-value but expensive medicines are available in a sustainable way to people who could benefit from them.

2019: the WHO European Region’s year in review 19-12-2019

This was an important year for WHO/Europe. From working towards more affordable health care to electing a new Regional Director, much has been achieved over the past 12 months. The Region also celebrated some important anniversaries, including a quarter century of the Regions for Health Network and 30 years of tackling the most significant environmental threats to human health. While plenty of work remains, here we look back at some key moments of the last year. The stories highlight achievements across the Region as well as some specific country initiatives.

Day 4 highlights: Regional Director thanks “the strongest minds and warmest hearts in public health” 19-09-2019

On the fourth and final day of the 69th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC69), Member States adopted a resolution on promoting health literacy that seeks to help people make informed health decisions. Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab also expressed her deep thanks to delegates and staff for their commitment to public health during her 10-year mandate as WHO Regional Director for Europe.

What you need to know about digital health systems 05-02-2019

What do 3D-printed prosthetics, personalized medicine, therapies that use virtual reality and smart watches that monitor vital signs all have in common? They rely on new digital technologies to deliver health services to people. Such innovative technologies can be incorporated into health systems to help them work more efficiently and effectively, and to provide greater access to health services for the people they serve.

Now online: Russian-language e-learning course on health financing policy 04-02-2019

The first Russian-language e-learning course on health financing policy for universal health coverage has been launched. This foundational course, developed by WHO with the guidance of the WHO Barcelona Office for Health Systems Strengthening, is intended for participants with varying levels of experience and expertise, and will be supported by a range of devices, operating systems and browsers.

Telemedicine in Kazakhstan: smart health services delivery 01-02-2019

Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world, spanning nearly 3 million square kilometres. Its geographic size means that much of the population lives in rural settings, far from the country’s main medical centres.

The year ahead: key events for the WHO European Region in 2019 23-01-2019

In 2019, the WHO European Region will maintain its focus on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and embarking on WHO’s next 5-year global programme of work. But it will also take stock of progress to implement Health 2020 and place greater emphasis on areas of work such as digital health and health equity. Read on for more details.

Revitalizing primary health care for the 21st century 01-11-2018

Countries across the WHO European Region played a pivotal role in the Global Conference on Primary Health Care, held in Kazakhstan on 25–26 October 2018. In addition to the adoption of the Declaration of Astana, here are some highlights of activities prior to and during the Conference.

Primary health care: the time is now 24-10-2018

Forty years since the historic Declaration of Alma-Ata identified primary health care as the key to health for all, world leaders gather this week in Kazakhstan. They will reflect on achievements since 1978 and endorse a new declaration to revitalize primary health care for the 21st century.

Austria begins Presidency of the Council of the European Union 04-07-2018

On 1 July 2018, Austria took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the third time after 1998 and 2006. The motto of the Austrian Presidency is “A Europe that protects”.

Seventy-first World Health Assembly comes to a close after charting a new course for WHO 29-05-2018

The Seventy-first World Health Assembly took place on 21–26 May 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland. Over the course of the 6 days, delegates charted a new course for the Organization.

Embracing eHealth in Latvia to move towards universal health coverage 30-03-2018

Dr Renāte Snipe works as Chief Physician at the Children’s Clinical University Hospital in Latvia’s capital, Riga. She was an avid supporter and early adopter of electronic health (eHealth) even before the Latvian Ministry of Health implemented its new national eHealth portal. On 1 January 2018, use of the eHealth portal by health-care professionals in Latvia became mandatory for the flagship ePrescription and eSickLeave services.

The eHealth journey in Latvia 02-11-2017

In a journey that started over a decade ago, the Ministry of Health of Latvia demonstrated its commitment to achieving universal health coverage by creating a national programme of electronic health (eHealth). This has been a key element of ensuring that Latvian people receive the right care in the right place and at the right time.

Day 4 highlights: partnerships essential in our “multisectoral, multidimensional world” 14-09-2017

Member States enthusiastically endorsed a renewed vision for partnerships for health in the WHO European Region on the final day of the 67th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe.

Minister of Health of Lithuania visits WHO/Europe to discuss key priorities and collaboration 10-07-2017

On 6 July 2017, WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab welcomed Minister of Health of Lithuania Professor Aurelijus Veryga for an official visit to WHO/Europe in Copenhagen, Denmark. The visit provided an opportunity for Dr Jakab and Professor Veryga to discuss ways in which WHO/Europe can work with, in and for Lithuania in order to strengthen collaboration and implement the biennial collaborative agreement for 2016–2017.

eHealth – where are we now? 08-06-2017

Why was WHO/Europe’s participation in eHealth Week 2017 so important? eHealth Week was a unique opportunity to demonstrate that eHealth is important to the development of international public health. This year’s theme, “Data for health: the key to personalized sustainable care”, provided an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the main health information issues that countries face when reforming their health systems.

eHealth and public health – a beautiful marriage 19-05-2017

Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, delivered an inspirational speech to open eHealth Week in Malta on 10–12 May 2017. This marked the first time that WHO/Europe participated in organizing the annual event. It did so alongside the Maltese Ministry for Health, the European Commission and HIMSS-CHIME International, a partnership of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and the College of Health Information Management Executives.

International perspectives on eMental health 18-04-2017

During the final conference of the MasterMind eMental health project, Clayton Hamilton, leader of the eHealth and Innovation Unit at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, presented international perspectives on eMental health.

Tackling mild depression: “iCBT was perfect for me.” 04-04-2017

Telepsychiatry, also known as eMental health, is being used increasingly widely, especially in the form of internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT). After an initial assessment to determine a patient’s suitability for iCBT, a doctor prescribes the online course, which is done segment by segment. The patient’s progress is monitored by a mental health professional who can be contacted at any time.

WHO/Europe joins eHealth Week 2017 06-01-2017

For the first time, WHO/Europe is joining the team creating the programme for eHealth week, which will be held in Malta on 10–12 May 2017. The Maltese Ministry for Health is organizing the event as part of the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, together with the European Commission and HIMSS–CHIME International, a partnership of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and the College of Health Information Management Executives. The theme for 2017 – “Data for health: the key to personalized sustainable care” – will highlight the impact that data has on patients’ health.

eLearning helps Irish pharmacists take on antibiotic stewardship 18-11-2016

Pharmacists are key members of the primary care workforce and find themselves increasingly on the frontline of the struggle against antibiotic resistance. This field is increasing in importance and changing rapidly, yet the pressure of every day life in a busy community pharmacy can make it difficult to keep up to speed on the latest developments.

World Statistics Day 2016 – be a data explorer 20-10-2016

Good data and statistics are indispensable for informed decision-making by people and policy-makers. On World Statistics Day 2016, WHO/Europe experts share statistics that drive their work, and they encourage everyone to become a data explorer by visiting the European Health Information Gateway.

Blood connects us all – blood donation text message service in Sweden 14-06-2016

Only a quarter of blood donations in high-income countries come from young people (up to age 24). An initiative in Sweden lets blood donors know via text message when their blood has been given to a patient. This is one example of using technology to recruit new donors and to keep them donating. On 14 June, World Blood Donor Day, we thank blood donors for their life-saving gift, and underline the need for regular blood donation.

National eHealth Strategy for Ukraine 10-06-2016

Ukraine has taken its first steps towards developing national eHealth strategy. With the support of WHO/Europe, the World Bank and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), a workshop was held in Hlibovka in April 2016 to lay the foundations for developing the eHealth strategy.

Can a mobile phone help you stop smoking? 03-06-2016

Tara Duthie, who lives in the city of Stirling in Scotland, United Kingdom, tried to quit smoking four times in 5 years. Then, on 30 October 2015, aged just 49, she had a heart attack – it was a wake-up call she could not ignore.

Day 2 of the World Health Assembly: Highlights for the European Region 26-05-2016

Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, addressed the World Health Assembly on 24 May 2016. She stressed the links between climate change and health, including those related to the spread of vector-borne diseases. Her address was followed by a technical briefing that underscored the need for multisectoral action for achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and agreement on a new resolution on meeting those goals.

E-health in practice 10-03-2016

From medical monitoring for nomadic reindeer herders, to education and training with multilingual, virtual, simulated patients, technology is increasingly being used to deliver and advance health services in the WHO European Region. A new report provides an overview of the developments and benefits of using e-health and includes 29 case examples from across the Region.

E-health – when, not if 10-03-2016

A new report on e-Health in the WHO European Region reveals that tangible progress has been made, with clear benefits for many countries. In most Member States, it has become commonplace for technology to be used to deliver health services and public health improvements, such as electronic health records.

Towards an integrated health information system in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 29-05-2015

A technical mission to provide support for strengthening the health information system in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia took place on 18–20 May 2015, with the participation of Mr Clayton Hamilton, Unit Head, eHealth & Innovation, WHO/Europe. The mission was organized as part of the biennial collaborative agreement (BCA) 2014–2015 between WHO and the Ministry of Health.

Moving toward a comprehensive eHealth strategy in the Republic of Moldova 20-06-2013

A policy dialogue on eHealth was held in the Republic of Moldova on 30 May 2013, which furthered progress on the National eHealth Strategy. The event was organized by the Ministry of Health with the support of WHO/Europe.

eHealth solutions in Norway and Estonia shared with delegation from the Republic of Moldova 20-11-2012

Key stakeholders in the establishment of a national eHealth strategy for the Republic of Moldova visited Norway and Estonia on 5-9 November 2012 to exchange knowledge on eHealth opportunities. The tour supported the overall effort in the Republic of Moldova to develop an eHealth strategy as part of the Government's Strategic Programme for e-Transformation. 

WHO supports development of national eHealth strategy in Republic of Moldova 09-08-2012

A workshop dedicated to development of an eHealth strategy in the Republic of Moldova was organized on 8–9 August 2012 with WHO support. The primary objective of the workshop was to agree on the main eHealth actions needed in the short and long term and to define requirements and outcome measurements for development of the strategy.