The WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) has partnered with The George Institute for Global Health, India, to leverage digital health and artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the region.
This collaboration, formalized through a Project Collaboration Agreement, is set to last for two years, starting from April 1, 2026. The initiative aims to enhance the design, implementation, evaluation, and scaling of evidence-based digital health and AI interventions targeted at improving primary healthcare systems and managing NCDs.
NCDs currently account for over half of all deaths in the South-East Asia Region, with a significant number of these fatalities occurring before the age of 70. Despite this alarming statistic, primary healthcare systems are often inadequately prepared to address these challenges, as healthcare workers are primarily located in urban areas, leading to undetected and poorly managed health conditions in communities.
This partnership underscores the urgency of integrating digital health solutions to improve healthcare accessibility and effectiveness. By utilizing AI and digital technologies, the initiative aims to empower local healthcare systems, ultimately enhancing the prevention and management of NCDs in underserved populations.