How to Digital Health: Standards and guidelines for digital health interventions in international cooperation.
This guide was developed through a collaborative effort of GIZ practitioners working across the health portfolio, bringing together experiences and lessons learned from digital health projects implemented in different country contexts. It reflects the collective expertise of a community of practice dedicated to strengthening the quality, sustainability, and scalability of digital health interventions in international cooperation
Writer:
Julius Murke and Pauline Krolinski
- Members of GIZ’s health portfolio and the Sector Network Working Group Digital Health and Social Protection
Guide was developed through exchanges within GIZ’s Sector Network Working Group Digital Health and Social Protection
Executive Summary
This guide provides practical standards and strategic guidance for designing, implementing, and scaling digital health projects in international cooperation. Drawing on lessons learned from GIZ’s digital health portfolio and international best practices, it helps project managers align digital interventions with partner-country priorities while promoting interoperability, sustainability, and long-term health system transformation.
The guideline introduces a structured framework centred on Digital Public Infrastructure for Health, emphasizing interoperable systems, implementation at scale, strong governance, agile project management, and information security. It also highlights emerging opportunities such as artificial intelligence, data spaces, and public-private collaboration, offering a practical roadmap for delivering impactful and future-proof digital health solutions.
