Introduction
WHO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, organized a three-day webinar on Digital Health Transformation and Artificial Intelligence for Health to strengthen national capacity on interoperable digital health systems, digital public infrastructure and responsible use of emerging technologies.
WHO country office under the leadership of the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia and in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), organized the webinar on Digital Health Transformation and Artificial Intelligence for Health organized a three-day technical webinar on Digital Health Transformation and Artificial Intelligence for Health from 24–26 February 2026 for MOPH , bringing together national health officials, digital health experts and technical partners to strengthen understanding of modern, interoperable and people-centred digital health systems. The webinar aimed to support national efforts to modernize health information systems and accelerate the adoption of standards-based digital solutions aligned with the WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health and priorities under the Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW14).
A total of 21 participants attended the webinar, including section chiefs and officers from the Information Units of the Ministry of Public Health, specialists from the Central Center for Disease Prevention and Control, experts from Pyongyang General Hospital, directors and researchers from the Academy of Medical Research and Pyongyang University of Medicine, and information technology researchers from Kim Chaek University of Technology and Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, along with WHO technical staff. The broad technical representation highlighted the country’s commitment to advancing digital innovation and strengthening national health information systems.
Over the three days, participants engaged in a series of structured sessions covering key aspects of digital health transformation. These included open standards for digital health systems and why they matter, digital public infrastructure for health, health digital public infrastructures, interoperability standards including Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR), national digital health architecture, and practical digital health applications such as electronic health records, telemedicine and artificial intelligence in health systems. The sessions also introduced the Full-STAC approach, which integrates open standards, open technologies, open content and open architectures to enable scalable, interoperable and person-centred digital health ecosystems that improve service delivery and strengthen health data systems.
Dedicated discussions focused on the potential of Generative Artificial Intelligence in health, including its application for clinical decision support, health workforce training, disease surveillance and health system management. Participants also examined the importance of ethical safeguards, data protection, national ownership and governance frameworks to ensure responsible adoption of AI technologies in the health sector.
Through active engagement and exchange of regional experience, the webinar helped identify priority actions for strengthening interoperability across health information systems, improving health data governance and supporting the development of a phased national digital health roadmap. Moving forward, WHO will continue to support the Ministry of Public Health in strengthening digital health governance frameworks, building institutional and technical capacity, and facilitating collaboration with regional and global partners to advance resilient, interoperable and future-ready digital health systems that improve health outcomes for all.
Key Outcomes
- Strengthened understanding of open standards and interoperability for digital health systems
- Enhanced knowledge on digital public infrastructure and national digital health architecture
- Increased awareness of applications and governance considerations for artificial intelligence in health
- Identification of priority steps toward a nationally led digital health roadmap