Speech title

Demand and cooperation results in the Asia-Pacific region under the AeHIN network

Abstract

The Asia eHealth Information Network (AeHIN) is a not–for–profit organization that was established in 2011 with the support of the World Health Organization to promote digital health development in Asian countries. AeHIN began with only seven members from six countries. Now, it has over 1,900 members from over 74 countries and has cooperated with more than 20 development partners to help build capacity and strengthen digital health ecosystems in Asia for ten years.

As ICTs have become increasingly important over the years, their use has also become undeniable in every aspect of life, including the healthcare sector. People need to learn how to effectively integrate ICTs into the healthcare domain, which can strengthen the healthcare ecosystem.

As each individual or country has their unique, strong point, learning from each other's successes and failures, adapting from other's experiences, and sharing resources can lead to effective development. By engaging collectively, no one will stumble on their own. This is where AeHIN comes in: to be the platform for knowledge exchange and resource sharing in the Asia Pacific Region through a networking approach.

The results of AeHIN's networking approach can be quantitatively measured by:
1. The number of AeHIN members increasing yearly
2. The number of webinars and training programs conducted
3. The number of the General Meetings and the Convergence Workshops conducted
4. The number of publications that come from AeHIN's experiences
5. The number of organizations involved in AeHIN activities

There are also non-quantifiable results in AeHIN's networking approach, such as increased trust and cooperation among the AeHIN members, partners, the AeHIN Governing Committee, and the secretariats; the change in attitudes towards the important factors that enable the development of the digital health ecosystem; and the change in behaviors after learning and sharing experiences with other members or stakeholders. These changes in thoughts and feelings play a pivotal role in strengthening the digital health ecosystem at the country and regional levels and thus strengthening the network.