The Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia (AASSA) and the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), supported by the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) and the Department of Science and Technology, Philippines, organized the AASSA-NAST PHL International Symposium on Digital Transformation in Healthcare in conjunction with the 6th AASSA General Assembly Meeting on 29-30 October 2024 in Acacia Hotel Manila, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines.

The workshop culminated in a declaration endorsed by 16 AASSA member academies, outlining key actions to advance digital health initiatives. The Manila Declaration emphasizes the importance of adopting advanced digital tools to enhance healthcare systems, improve accessibility and foster people-centric, secure and interoperable ecosystems. Acknowledging global frameworks like the WHO Regional Action Framework on Digital Health, it underscores the need for robust governance, sustainable financing, strategic partnerships and equitable digital health solutions. The declaration calls for governments to create comprehensive digital health strategies, science networks to foster interdisciplinary research and capacity-building, the healthcare sector to prioritize data governance and interoperability and funding agencies to support scalable innovations. Collectively, these efforts aim to promote inclusivity, innovation and sustainability in digital healthcare across Asia and beyond.

Read and download the Manila Declaration.

Other Authoring Institutions