This is a topic that holds tremendous potential and opportunity to transform health outcomes in our region and beyond. 

I am pleased to say that the Regional Roadmap we have developed for our WHO South-East Asia region has, as one of it’s pillars, ‘Realizing access to technology and innovations.’ Our Regional Office, and our Member States, see this as an essential tool to improving the public health of our region. 

Big Data

I’d like to start with big data. 

In our rapidly evolving world, the role of data has shifted from being a supporting tool to a cornerstone of health systems and policy-making. Harnessing the power of big data offers us the opportunity to make evidence-based decisions, drive meaningful behavioral change, and ultimately improve the lives of millions. 

Big data refers to the vast and complex datasets, now being generated at unprecedented scale and speed from various sources. 

These include electronic health records, genetic data, diagnostic imaging, mobile devices, wearables, satellite data, and even social media. What sets big data apart is not just its sheer volume but also its variety, velocity, and veracity—the diversity of data types, the speed at which it is generated, and its reliability. 

More recently, we’ve recognized additional attributes of big data, such as its value, variability, and validity, which underscore its transformative potential. When analyzed effectively, big data can offer insights that were previously unimaginable, enabling us to design interventions that are well targeted and impactful. In our region, with its diversity of populations and health challenges, big data is not just a resource—it is a necessity. 

Big Data for Policy Decision-Making

In health policy, the ability to make evidence-based decisions is paramount. 

Big data allows policymakers to identify gaps, allocate resources efficiently, and respond to challenges in real time. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, India’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme utilized big data to track outbreaks, enabling targeted lockdowns and resource distribution. This approach mitigated the pandemic’s impact, particularly on vulnerable populations. 

Similarly, Thailand’s National Health Security Office leverages big data to optimize its Universal Coverage Scheme, reducing inequities in healthcare access. 

In Indonesia, big data has been instrumental in addressing air quality issues by combining satellite data with ground-based sensors to inform environmental health policies. These examples demonstrate that big data is not just a tool for analysis—it is a catalyst for equitable and efficient health policies across the region. 

Big Data for Behavioral Change

Big data is also reshaping how we understand and influence behavior. By analyzing patterns in health data, we can design interventions that resonate with communities. Mobile technologies and digital platforms are helping us reach populations that were once difficult to access. These platforms democratize health information, enabling individuals to make informed decisions about their well-being. 

In South-East Asia, we have seen the success of initiatives like India’s Fit India Movement and Thailand’s digital walking challenges. These programs use mobile apps and gamification to promote healthier lifestyles, offering virtual rewards, social engagement, and a sense of accountability. 

In Indonesia, the Ayo Olahraga app encourages physical activity through personalized fitness goals and rewards, fostering a culture of health and well-being. Such initiatives demonstrate the power of big data to inspire behavioral change at scale. 

Challenges

While the potential of big data is immense, we must address several challenges to fully harness its benefits. 

Data integration remains a significant barrier, with fragmented systems and a lack of standardization hindering seamless analysis. Privacy and security concerns must also be prioritized to protect sensitive health information. 

Additionally, many countries in our region face limitations in infrastructure and a shortage of skilled professionals in data science. Ethical considerations, such as data ownership and equitable use, further complicate the landscape. Overcoming these barriers will require a concerted effort to invest in governance frameworks, technical infrastructure, and capacity building.

Emerging Technologies

I would also like to address other emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence and machine learning, that are enhancing the transformative potential of big data. 

These technologies can process complex datasets to predict future scenarios, identify at-risk populations, and optimize resource allocation. 

For instance, wearable devices and smart environments are making health promotion more accessible and personalized. From smart homes that track nutrition to urban designs that encourage physical activity, the integration of technology with big data is creating ecosystems that support healthier lifestyles. 

These emerging technologies are also transforming health promotion and disease prevention in other ways. 

In Singapore, we have an excellent example of leveraging AI to enhance population health. Their Agency for Science, Technology and Research, in collaboration with EVYD Technology, has established a Joint Lab that shows the potential of AI in predictive analytics. This partnership enables the early identification of at-risk populations and facilitates timely interventions for chronic diseases. 

Notable initiatives, such as Project Pensieve, which detects early signs of dementia, and SELENA+, an AI-driven system for eye disease screening, show how Singapore is using technology for preventive care. These innovations not only improve individual health outcomes but also reduce the strain on healthcare systems. They advance the goals of sustainable, efficient and equitable healthcare delivery. 

Across the broader South-East Asian region, countries like India, Thailand, and Indonesia are also employing AI to address other critical health challenges. 

In India, AI algorithms are revolutionizing diabetic retinopathy screening, preventing vision loss among millions of individuals with diabetes, particularly in resource-constrained environments. 

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health collaborates with AI developers to implement large-scale diabetic retinopathy screening, and to analyze social determinants of health, fostering community-based health interventions. 

Similarly, Indonesia uses AI to advance maternal and child health, demonstrating the versatility of these technologies in addressing specific regional priorities. 

Digital platforms are also transforming mental health promotion, as shown by Singapore’s mindline.sg. This platform integrates AI chatbots and predictive models to provide accessible mental health support, overcoming barriers such as stigma and limited access to professionals. 

Across the Asia-Pacific, telemedicine and AI-powered mobile applications are bridging gaps in healthcare accessibility, ensuring that even underserved populations benefit from these innovations. 

In addition, gamified health interventions are proving to be highly effective. By incorporating points, rewards, and progress tracking, these applications engage users in meaningful ways, reinforcing positive behaviors. For example, India’s Goqii platform, and Thailand’s workplace wellness programs, have demonstrated significant improvements in physical activity, diet, and overall health literacy. 

The success of these initiatives is bolstered by public-private partnerships, and by regulatory frameworks that prioritize data privacy, ethical AI implementation, and inclusivity. 

Governments must prioritize improving the digital health capacities of the healthcare workforce. A digitally proficient workforce is crucial to integrating advanced technologies like AI-driven diagnostic tools, telemedicine platforms, and big data analytics into healthcare systems. 

Equipping healthcare providers with the necessary digital skills ensures they can adopt, implement, and optimize these technologies to enhance disease prevention and health promotion efforts. 

For example, training programs on AI-based predictive analytics can empower healthcare workers to identify at-risk populations early, enabling timely interventions and reducing the burden of preventable diseases. Moreover, a skilled workforce can drive innovation, foster public trust in digital health initiatives, and build resilient health systems capable of addressing emerging challenges. 

Equally important is improving digital literacy among patients and caregivers to ensure the effective utilization of digital health tools and services. Empowering individuals with the knowledge to access and navigate mobile health apps, telemedicine platforms, and AI-driven health monitoring devices fosters greater engagement in their health and well-being. 

Digital literacy allows patients to make informed decisions, adhere to treatment plans, and adopt healthier lifestyles. For caregivers, enhanced digital literacy translates to better support for managing chronic conditions and providing timely care. 

By promoting digital literacy, governments can bridge the digital divide, reduce health inequities, and ensure that the benefits of digital health innovations are accessible to all segments of society, driving better health outcomes across the region. 

Conclusion

At the start of this address, I told you about our Regional Roadmap for our WHO South-East Asia region. 

I told you that technology and innovations are one of the pillars of this roadmap. 

The roadmap says that “one key demand in [our] Region is to devise technology and other innovations in promoting health system resilience, including to climate change and capacity shortage.” 

This is what the Member States of our region have mandated, and this is what we must deliver to them. 

I thank you for organizing this talk today, as these gatherings of minds gives us the networks, insights and discussions to realize this vision.

By Saima Wazed,

WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia