A  foundation of digital public infrastructure (DPI) in combination with personal health records (PHR) is the ‘magic formula’, says Professor Alain Labrique from the World Health Organization.

It enabled WHO to work with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Indonesia and Malaysia, to launch the Hajj health card enabling millions of pilgrims a safer passage to Mecca.

Speaking on today’s PULSE podcast ,  Professor Labrique, WHO Director for the Department of Digital Health and Innovation shares his experience with the global digital certification network, the International Patient Summary and future digital plans spearheaded by WHO.

Access to information is not a privilege, he says, it is a human right. “That’s what should be driving us as we think about basic connectivity, because I have seen for myself how a phone call can change the trajectory of whether someone lives or dies.”

Professor Labrique is an infectious disease and population epidemiologist and distinguished figure in digital health and innovation.

Today’s podcast is episode 18 (part two) of an in-depth interview conducted by hosts Dr Louise Schaper and Dr George Margelis.