UNICEF, IIHMR and IIT Mumbai Initiate Digital Health Course

Revolutionizing Healthcare: UNICEF and Top Indian Institutes Launch Digital Health Course

In a landmark initiative, UNICEF India, in collaboration with the International Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR) Delhi and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), has launched a comprehensive digital health course aimed at bridging the technological knowledge gap among healthcare professionals. This pioneering program, titled 'Digital Health Enterprise Planning Course,' is set to commence on April 17, 2024, and is designed to empower healthcare professionals with the skills necessary to Contribute to the digital revolution of the healthcare sector.

The course is a response to the growing demand for digital health education and aims to address the training gap that exists among healthcare professionals. It is tailored to cater to a diverse audience, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, healthcare administrators, policymakers, IT professionals, and individuals involved in healthcare technology implementation.

The curriculum, developed in consultation with leading experts from IIHMR Delhi and IIT Bombay, with technical inputs from UNICEF India, covers a spectrum of topics crucial for the digital era. These include digital health interventions, telemedicine, health informatics, and cybersecurity. The course is structured into nine modules over 10 weeks and includes online modules, virtual lectures, interactive discussions, and hands-on workshops.

Participants will interact with experienced digital health practitioners, subject matter experts, and academics. Case studies, group projects, networking, and knowledge sharing all help to reinforce the learning process. This blended approach ensures that the participants not only gain theoretical knowledge but also practical skills that can be applied in real-world scenarios.

Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF India Representative, emphasized the course's significance in furthering India's commitment to encourage digital innovation in healthcare. She noted that the digital health course launched today is part of India's commitment to promoting digital innovation in the health sector by providing healthcare workers with cutting-edge skills and harnessing digital technologies. She further added that the success of this transformative journey would be measured not by the technologies employed but by the impact made on the lives of every girl, and boy, and the communities that are empowered.

Professor Sutapa B Neogi, Director of IIHMR Delhi, highlighted the course's role in enhancing the competence of healthcare professionals to adapt to the digital era and optimize healthcare delivery systems across India, particularly in underserved communities.

The 'Digital Health Enterprise Planning Course' is a significant step in fulfilling UNICEF India's commitment to the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH), which was launched during India's G20 Presidency in 2023. It aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aims to improve healthcare delivery by effectively using digital technologies. This initiative is a testament to the collaborative efforts of UNICEF, IIHMR Delhi, and IIT Bombay in creating a robust digital health ecosystem in India.