As a core aspect of UNITE’s Digital Health initiatives, the importance of engaging youth in decision-making processes was highlighted. The context was set by referencing the work UNITE has been doing globally, from organizing workshops for parliamentarians in Tanzania to similar initiatives in Argentina, Kenya, and Ecuador.
YO.DH’s Vision for Youth Leadership
YO. DH, then represented by Pallavi Jain, Program Lead, Digital Health, PATH, discussed its strategy for fostering youth leadership in digital health.Â
By emphasizing the need to bring young people together globally to provide increased representation, exposure and voice in digital health, YO.DH aims to create a new generation of leaders in the digital health space that will have access to better networks and  opportunities.Â
Already a 800+ member strong community with presence in over 25 countries, the presentation outlined seven key initiatives designed to achieve this goal, including the creation of community platforms and the future aim of creating city-wise chapters that will aim to attract and sustain the interest of young professionals in digital health.
The Role of Digital Health in APAC
YO.DH, represented by Dr. Sharan Murali, YO.DH Core Committee member and Scientist B at ICMR, National Institute of Epidemiology, also addressed the fundamental question of what digital health entails, acknowledging its broad and multifaceted nature.
The rapid growth in this sector has brought forth concerns about inclusivity, equity, and privacy. YO.DH emphasized the critical role that youth must play in overcoming these challenges, particularly the need for interoperability in digital health solutions. The session underscored the importance of not just creating new solutions but ensuring they are compatible with existing systems, thereby avoiding the pitfalls of isolated innovations.
Parliamentary Perspectives: A Call to Action
The webinar featured a robust discussion segment where parliamentarians from across the region shared their insights and experiences in promoting youth engagement in digital health.
Dr. Amar Patnaik from India emphasized the imperative of digital health solutions in a country as vast and populous as India. He highlighted the role of young innovators in driving digital health advancements and called for the creation of grassroots leaders to complement national efforts. Dr. Patnaik also discussed the need for stronger privacy protections in digital health, advocating for sector-specific regulations to safeguard sensitive health data.
Hon. Kelvin Yii from Malaysia spoke about the Malaysian Youth Council’s role in facilitating youth engagement with parliament on health issues. He highlighted MyHealthPortal, a platform run by young people in Malaysia that provides user-friendly access to health information, exemplifying how digital health can be made accessible and engaging for youth.
Hon. Niranjan Reddy from India encouraged UNITE to act as a bridge between young people and policymakers, particularly in addressing mental health and substance abuse issues through anonymous digital platforms. He urged parliamentarians to support youth-driven policy ideas and interventions.
Hon. Habibe Millat from Bangladesh reflected on the vital role that digital health played during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in a country with limited physical healthcare infrastructure. He called for greater efforts to overcome challenges such as negative attitudes toward digital health and limited access to funding and mentorship for young people.
Hon. Agnes Lam from Macao/China shared insights from Macao’s digital health journey, including the successful implementation of an e-medical scheme that bridges the digital divide in healthcare. She noted the challenges of youth engagement in Macao, where there is no Youth Council to facilitate direct feedback from young people on health issues.
Puteri Anetta Komaruddin from Indonesia discussed the significant gap in health accessibility in Indonesia and the potential of digital health to bridge this gap. She highlighted the importance of supporting young entrepreneurs in the health tech space to create sustainable and digitally driven healthcare solutions.
Hon. Ramesh Paudyal from Nepal emphasized the need for digital literacy and improved infrastructure in rural areas to ensure that digital health benefits reach all segments of society. He called for greater collaboration between public and private partners to address these challenges.
Aditya Ramakrishnan, speaking on behalf of Indian MP Pradyut Bordoloi, stressed the importance of incorporating youth perspectives through literature reviews and community outreach. He pointed out the language barriers that many young people in India face when accessing digital health information, underscoring the need for more inclusive communication strategies.
Conclusion: A Path Forward for Youth in Digital Health
The webinar concluded with a shared commitment to enhancing youth engagement in digital health governance across the Asia Pacific region. As the discussions highlighted, young people are not just future leaders—they are leaders today, with the potential to drive transformative change in healthcare systems. By fostering youth-led initiatives, advocating for inclusive policies, and ensuring that young voices are heard in legislative processes, parliamentarians and policymakers can help build a more equitable and innovative digital health landscape for all.
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UNITE and YO.DH remain dedicated to empowering the next generation of digital health leaders, and this webinar was a significant step in that ongoing journey.
