The Pan African Health Informatics Association (HELINA)

Check out your weekly digest of opportunities, events and developments shaping Africa's digital health landscape. Featured this week: - New WHO Infectious Disease Surveillance DAK - Career opportunity at Transform Health - AHTS X Canada - take advantage of early bird prices and register today - Exciting DPI for Health Webinar Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. - Food Policy Coalition Kenya Launch Read the full roundup below #digitalhealth #publichealth #globalhealth #DPI #Africa

After two years of hard work, I am excited to share that the first volume of the WHO Surveillance Digital Adaptation Kit (DAK) is now officially published! This milestone represents the culmination of an extensive, collaborative effort to translate global public health surveillance guidance into structured, interoperable, and implementation-ready digital standards. Strengthening surveillance systems is not only about data — it’s about creating a shared foundation for action. For too long, fragmentation in data, workflows, and systems has limited our ability to detect, assess, and respond to public health threats efficiently. Through this DAK, we are laying a foundation that brings together: • Harmonized data and indicator standards • Clear operational workflows • Embedded decision-support logic • Practical guidance to inform system design But more importantly, this is not just a technical product — it is a collective effort. Built through extensive engagement with countries, implementers, and technical partners, it reflects a shared ambition to move from fragmented approaches to aligned, scalable solutions. This work would not have been possible without the contributions of a truly global community — including Member States, technical experts, implementers, and WHO colleagues across departments and regions. 🙏 A huge thank you to everyone who contributed their time, expertise, and thoughtful feedback throughout this journey. I am especially grateful to the core team who worked alongside me on this complex and ambitious effort: Md Khadimul Anam Mazhar , Abdul Basith Shaukath , Nelly Nyaga , Dr. Marc Yambayamba, Kristi J.. Leading this project has been an incredibly insightful and rewarding experience. What I am most proud of is not only the output, but the collective effort behind it — a community coming together to tackle a challenge we all recognize, and to move us one step closer to more aligned and effective surveillance systems. Chikwe Ihekweazu Oliver Morgan Julia Fitzner Gérard Krause Hong Anh Chu Tigest Tamrat Lorenzo Pezzoli João Paulo Toledo Sebastien ANTONI M. Carolina Danovaro Jennifer Nelson Marcelo D. Samuel Mbuthia Samantha Dolan Lee Hampton Steven Wanyee Pilar Hernández Pastor Tshewang Choden Dorji Marc Rondy Shona Dalal Marek Lalli Tessa Lennemann Masaya Kato Stefano Perotti Martha Patricia Velandia Gonzalez Pamela Bravo Rosemary K Muliokela Jan Böhme #WHO #PublicHealth #Surveillance #DigitalHealth #SMARTGuidelines #Interoperability #HealthData #GlobalHealth #Datastandards https://lnkd.in/eT2qVT-U

For too long, the continent has been a graveyard for well-intentioned but isolated digital health projects—"pilotitis"—that withered once donor funding evaporated. The AI in Health, Kenya Convergence 2026 marked the turning point. Kenya stopped started defining "how" AI will be governed, scaled and sustained. The convergence, which HELINA in partnership with Kenya Medical Association brought together 155 participants from 9 countries, positioning to discuss responsible AI governance in healthcare. The foundation was built, but now comes the real work: closing the "know-do gap" between frameworks and clinic implementation. Read the full analysis in our latest newsletter 👇 #digitalhealth #artificialintelligence #AI #Kenya #Africa #digitalhealthtransformation Wakanyi Macharia-Hoffman Dr. Fred Mutisya Milka Gesicho Ph.D. Digital Health Agency - Kenya Steven Wanyee Dr. Nicholas Okumu Dr Joyce Wamicwe Gregory Ganda

This week in #digitalHealth across Africa: Check out your weekly digest of opportunities, events and developments shaping Africa's digital health landscape. Featured in this week's digest: ✅ Career: Gates Foundation is looking for a Deputy Director for AI Delivery & Government Partnerships across Africa (Apply by Apr 19) ✅ Events: AI EVERYTHING KENYA x GITEX KENYA (May 19-21, Nairobi) and the 4th EAC Regional STI Conference focusing on #AI (Mar 30-Apr 1, Kigali) 💰 Funding: Wellcome Trust, UK FCDO & NIHR launch major infectious disease clinical trials initiative for Africa-led research (Deadline: Jun 2) Read the full roundup below and subscribe to receive next week's digest directly. #AIinHealth #HealthInformatics #Africa #HealthInnovation #DigitalTransformation #ArtificialIntelligence

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) invites digital health practitioners to a "Meet the Expert" session on implementing ICD-11 within digital health transformation frameworks. 📅 Thursday, March 26, 2026 🕐 11:00 AM Eastern Time 🌐 Spanish with simultaneous interpretation (English, French, Portuguese) Register: https://lnkd.in/d3EbXF5k Featured speaker, Sergio Guinez Molinos, Head of Biomedical Informatics Laboratory, University of Talca, Chile, will share Chile's experience migrating to ICD-11, covering governance, regulatory frameworks, system adjustments, training, and change management. ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision) is a foundational terminology service that enables semantic interoperability across health information systems. When health systems can "speak the same language" for diagnoses, causes of death and health conditions, data becomes comparable, shareable and actionable across facilities, counties, and countries. Terminology services like ICD-11 are critical building blocks of interoperable digital health infrastructure. They ensure that: - Clinical data captured in one facility can be understood by another. - Mortality and morbidity statistics are standardized and comparable. - Disease surveillance systems can detect patterns across regions. - Health information exchanges can route and interpret clinical information accurately. In Africa, countries like Kenya which HELINA has supported are embedding terminology services into national digital health architecture. Kenya's Digital Health Superhighway, integrates ICD-11 and other health terminology standards (LOINC, SNOMED CT) as core components of the national Health Information Exchange. This infrastructure enables interoperability across Kenya's health ecosystem (county facilities to national referral hospitals to vertical disease programs) ensuring data quality and supporting evidence-based decision-making at all levels. Learn more about Kenya's approach: https://lnkd.in/dfBCnZrY While countries like Chile and Kenya operate in different contexts, the principles are universal. Terminology standards must be embedded early in digital health transformation, governed effectively, and supported by robust training and change management. This session will be a valuable opportunity for cross-regional knowledge exchange on implementing global standards in diverse health system contexts. We encourage African digital health leaders to join and bring these insights back to inform our continental digital health transformation journey. #DigitalHealth #HealthInformatics #Interoperability #healthdataexchange #terminology #terminologyservices World Health Organization World Health Organization African Region Africa CDC Alain Labrique Dr. Jean Kaseya Eng Antony Lenaiyara Steven Wanyee Katri Kontio

Kenya Launches National Community of Practice to Drive Responsible AI in Healthcare. At the AI in Health, Kenya Convergence 2026, convened by HELINA in partnership with the Kenya Medical Association, a coalition of 155 stakeholders from government, academia and the private sector officially launched a Community of Practice to govern and scale artificial intelligence in healthcare. This marks a decisive shift from fragmented "pilotitis", the cycle of small, unsustainable projects, toward a coordinated, ethical, and interoperable national AI ecosystem. Key foundations: 🔹 ALIVE Framework (Adaptive, Locally-grounded, Inclusive, Vigilant, Equitable) for continuous ethical oversight 🔹 Local validation as non-negotiable. AI tools must be validated using Kenyan patient data to prevent algorithmic bias. 🔹 Data sovereignty ensuring health data generated in Kenya benefits Kenya and is protected from external exploitation. 🔹 Working groups developing ethics guides, governance white papers, use case documentation, and implementation playbooks. By building an active, engaged community grounded in the Full-STAC framework (Standards, Technology, Architecture, Content), Kenya is positioning itself as a regional leader in responsible, people-centered AI. The work of closing the "know-do gap" between policy frameworks and rural clinic implementation has begun. Read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/d-d5QR3Z #AIinHealth #digitalhealth #HealthAI #Kenya #HealthInformatics #AIGovernance #DataSovereignty #HealthEquity #AIethics Steven Wanyee Wakanyi Macharia-Hoffman Milka Gesicho Ph.D. Dr. Fred Mutisya Dr. Nicholas Okumu

The Ministry of Health, Zanzibar invites the digital health community to its inaugural Zanzibar Digital Health Conference on March 30-31, 2026, themed: "Equitable Digital Health Innovation: From Pilots to National Impact." This conference reflects Zanzibar's commitment to bridging the digital divide and ensuring technological advancements translate into measurable improvements in #healthcare delivery. Digital health transformation has been identified as a Presidential Priority, with His Excellency Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, serving as Guest of Honor. 📍 Location: Golden Tulip Airport Hotel, Zanzibar and virtual (Hybrid event) ✅ Registration: 100% FREE for both in-person and virtual participants ✅ Innovators, policymakers, implementers, and tech enthusiasts across Africa and globally. This conference is a chance to: - Learn from Zanzibar's digital health journey and strategic approach to scaling beyond pilots - Share and learn best practices, success stories, and lessons from across the region. - Connect with East African digital health leaders and innovators. - Contribute to shaping equitable digital health transformation. International presenters are encouraged to share their experiences, innovations, and insights. Submit proposals or inquiries to: zandhc@mohz.go.tz Register now: https://lnkd.in/dz8xdHb8 Join us in advancing equitable digital health across East Africa and beyond. #ZanDHC2026 #digitalhealth #HealthInnovation #Zanzibar #EastAfrica #HealthEquity #HealthInformatics #digitalhealthtransformation

The Africa HealthTech Summit is going global! This year, AHTS will be in Toronto, Canada from June 9-10, 2026. For the first time, leaders from Africa, Canada, and across the world will convene around one urgent priority: Connected Care—Innovation & Partnerships for Resilient Health Systems. The Summit is designed to build bridges, mobilize capital, and accelerate the scaling of innovations that improve health outcomes in Africa and globally. Don't want to miss out on the action? Register today 👉 https://ahts.ca/pass/ #DigitalHealth #HealthInnovation #HealthTech #ConnectedCare #globalhealth #AHTS26 Jean Philbert Nsengimana (FAPH, MPA, MBA, PMP, MSc) Africa HealthTech Summit - #AHTS@5 #AHTS26#AHTS@5 #AHTS26 Africa Healthtech Summit Canada - AHTSx Canada

As HL7 International's Affiliate Member for Africa, HELINA is pleased to share this opportunity to build your FHIR expertise. The HL7 FHIR Fundamentals Course provides a practical introduction to the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard, essential knowledge for anyone working on interoperable digital health systems across Africa. What You'll Learn: → How the FHIR specification is structured and organized. → Core concepts: resources, profiles, extensions, and constraints. → Reading and writing FHIR resources. → RESTful APIs, messaging, transactions, and documents in FHIR. Session Dates: March 26 - April 23, 2026 ⏰ Registration Deadline: March 20, 2026 💻 Format: 100% online, self-paced (no live lectures) ✅ Prerequisites: None-designed for those new to FHIR FHIR is a global standard driving health information exchange and is the technical foundation enabling systems to communicate across platforms, countries, and sectors. Whether you're a developer building health applications, a government team implementing national digital health infrastructure, or a health IT professional supporting clinical systems, this course gives you the practical skills to work confidently with FHIR. Master the foundation of health data interoperability. Begin your journey with the HL7 FHIR Fundamentals course today! 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dpsDBKpB #HealthInteroperability #interoperability #healthdataexchange #DigitalHealth #HealthInformatics #AfricaOnFHIR

Last week, the AI in Health, Kenya convening brought together government, academia, health institutions, tech companies, NGOs, and funders to tackle a critical question: How do we scale AI in health responsibly? Kenya is positioning itself as a regional leader in ethical, interoperable AI for health through foundations that include standards, governance, community and accountability. We were joined by participants from 80+ organizations and over 9 countries for what went beyond conversation into commitment. County health leaders emphasized co-creation and alignment with local priorities and innovators showcased their work in AI in health. We also launched the AI in Health, Kenya Community of Practice which is a multi-stakeholder platform to ensure AI in health is ethical, interoperable, and grounded in Kenya's realities. The CoP is meant to be a shared space for learning, funding opportunities and collaboration. Overall, the conversations focused on moving from fragmented experiments to coordinated, scalable, nationally-owned AI infrastructure, developing locally validated solutions in line with national health priorities and moving from ethics as checkbox to ethics as continuous practice. There was clarity about what we need to do first to make it work responsibly. Thank you to all those who made time to join us both in-person and virtually. We were honoured to have different voices contributing to the conversation ad we hope to keep this going. If you're in this space, we'd like to hear from you. In case you missed the conversation, you can catch up here: https://lnkd.in/dz7qGDYR #AI #ArtificalIntelligence #AIinHealth #digitalhealth #globalhealth #healthtech #interoperability Kenya Medical Association Steven Wanyee Dr. Fred Mutisya Milka Gesicho Ph.D. Dr. Dorah Rioba Dr. Brenda Obondo