Understanding the Global Digital Health Certification Network

The GDHCN represents a pivotal step towards secure and verifiable digital health credentials. It allows countries to reliably confirm the authenticity of health certificates – such as vaccination records – across international borders. This system evolved from the successful European Union Digital COVID Certificate (EU DCC), which connected 76 countries and territories during the COVID-19 pandemic, streamlining international travel verification. However, participation from the WHO African Region was initially limited, with only Benin, Cabo Verde, Seychelles, and Togo able to integrate with the EU DCC network.

In 2023, the WHO assumed stewardship of the GDHCN, recognizing its potential to modernize the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), commonly known as the Yellow Card, and align it with updated International Health Regulations (IHR). A fully realized GDHCN promises to enhance global disease surveillance, combat fraudulent health documentation, and simplify international health protocols. Could this network be the key to preventing future global health crises?

EU Investment and Collaborative Efforts

The new EU-WHO agreement includes an €8 million grant, allocated from 2025 to 2028, to support national digital health transformation efforts in sub-Saharan Africa. The WHO will provide crucial technical and policy guidance, working closely with regional partners like the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). This investment is a core component of the Digital Health workstream within the Team Europe Initiative on the EU-AU Health Partnership, and is aligned with the broader EU Global Gateway strategy.

The initiative aims to build resilient digital health ecosystems across Africa, fostering collaboration between European and African stakeholders. This isn’t simply about technology; it’s about empowering nations to take control of their health data and improve the well-being of their citizens.

Empowering Individuals and Protecting Privacy

At its core, the GDHCN is designed to empower individuals with secure, portable health records. These records, managed by each country’s health system, are accessible to the individual wherever they travel, including during public health emergencies. Importantly, the WHO emphasizes that it does not have access to these personal health records, safeguarding individual privacy.

The network operates under internationally recognized standards for data protection and interoperability, and participation remains entirely voluntary for member states. This collaborative framework is intended to strengthen health security while laying the groundwork for more responsive and patient-centered healthcare systems for generations to come. What role will citizens play in ensuring the responsible use of their digital health data?

Further information on the EU-AU Health Partnership can be found at The European Commission’s website. Details about the WHO’s work on digital health are available at The World Health Organization’s Digital Health page.

Frequently Asked Questions about the GDHCN

• What is the primary goal of the Global Digital Health Certification Network?

  The GDHCN aims to establish a secure and reliable system for verifying digital health credentials internationally, enhancing pandemic preparedness and improving health outcomes.

• How does the GDHCN build upon the EU Digital COVID Certificate?

  The GDHCN leverages the technology and lessons learned from the EU DCC, expanding its reach and applicability to a wider range of health certificates beyond COVID-19.

• What is the EU’s financial contribution to this initiative?

  The European Union is providing an €8 million grant, spanning from 2025 to 2028, to support the implementation of the GDHCN in sub-Saharan Africa.

• How does the GDHCN protect individual privacy?

  Personal health records are managed securely by each country’s health system and are not accessible to the WHO or other external parties.

• Is participation in the GDHCN mandatory for countries?

  No, participation in the GDHCN is entirely voluntary, allowing countries to decide whether or not to join the network.

• What role does the Africa CDC play in this partnership?

  The Africa CDC is a key regional partner, providing technical expertise and support to national efforts to advance digital health transformation.