Global Health Connector (GHC) and IHE Catalyst AISBL announced the launch of a Global Engagement Partnership, a multi-year collaboration designed to foster innovation, knowledge-sharing, and joint action in the global health sector.
This partnership unites two key drivers of global health innovation to address the most pressing challenges in digital health, especially challenges related to Interoperability and standardisation.
By combining GHC’s extensive global reach with IHE Catalyst’s technical leadership in interoperability, the organisations aim to create a more connected and efficient healthcare landscape.
The core of the partnership centres on Health Information Exchange (HIE), interoperability, and global standardisation.
By joining forces across the globe, GHC and IHE Catalyst will work on providing the tools and methodologies necessary to promote co-creation and the seamless integration of new technologies.
A key highlight of the collaboration is the proposal to establish joint Interoperability Labs. These labs will promote the adoption of new technologies — including AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) — based on global healthcare standards such as HL7 FHIR, DICOM, and SNOMED.
IHE Catalyst will have the opportunity to engage in GHC’s signature Connect, Convene, Amplify, and Accelerate programmes.
Likewise, GHC will participate in IHE Catalyst initiatives, ensuring a continuous exchange of expertise and resources.
Brian O’Connor, Chair of Global Health Connector, added:
“This partnership is grounded in mutual trust and a shared vision for the future of digital health. By aligning our efforts, we can more effectively convene the right stakeholders and amplify the frameworks and strategic initiatives that drive true co-creation and global CollaborAction.”
Claudio Saccavini, Managing Director at IHE Catalyst AISBL, quoted:
“Healthcare and interoperability are by definition complex, thus only through partnership, collaboration, co-creation and mutual understanding will we leapfrog adoption of new technologies and standards, by bringing Users and Vendors together, as IHE has done for the last 30 years or so. We are investing in this collaboration to achieve far more together than we could ever do alone.”
IHE Catalyst is a non-profit organisation set to accelerate the deployment and adoption of standards-based interoperability and digital health specifications, following IHE methodologies and tools to deliver interoperability quality in health, which can be uniquely tested before deployment. IHE Catalyst within the IHE ecosystem is responsible for maintaining the open-source test tools, namely IHE Gazelle®, and organising testing events (Plugathons, Projectathon, Connectathons®).
IHE is an initiative by healthcare professionals (users) and industry (vendors) to improve the way computer systems in healthcare share information. IHE promotes the coordinated use of established standards, such as DICOM and HL7, to address specific clinical needs and support optimal patient care. Systems developed in accordance with IHE standards communicate more effectively, are easier to implement, and enable care providers to use information more effectively.
GHC is an independent global ‘Community Interest Company’ that connects everyone to tackle health, wellbeing and longevity. We have no shareholders; any profits generated from our services must be reinvested in our workforce and activities.
We help to build a truly connected and collaborative global movement that’s driving health transformations — across themes, sectors, regions and cultures.
Our growing network spans 78 countries, includes over 90 health ecosystems, hosts more than 200 gatherings each year, bringing together 17,000 participants.
