March 2026- The World Health Organization (WHO) today welcomed the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as the first international organization to join WHO’s Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN), marking an important step toward strengthening secure, interoperable digital health systems that support continuity of care across borders.
By integrating IOM into the network, people on the move, who often face fragmented access to health services, will be better able to benefit from trusted digital tools that enable secure verification of health information and improved access to their own records. The collaboration also helps ensure that digital public health goods are developed in ways that serve populations in humanitarian settings, crisis contexts and low-connectivity environments.
“This partnership shows how WHO can bring countries and international partners together to build trusted digital public goods that protect people and strengthen global health security,” said Dr Alain Labrique, Director, Data, Digital Health, Analytics and AI (DDA) Department. “By supporting secure, interoperable standards that safeguard privacy and dignity, the GDHCN helps ensure that digital health systems work for everyone, including the most vulnerable.”
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With IOM onboard, the GDHCN expands beyond its initial use in travel-related health certification during the COVID-19 pandemic toward broader humanitarian applications. The partnership demonstrates how shared digital infrastructure can help support health continuity in displacement settings and frontline environments, while strengthening preparedness and coordination across countries and sectors.
As a leading provider of health services for migrants worldwide, IOM emphasized the practical importance of secure and portable health documentation for displaced and mobile populations.
“Joining the Global Digital Health Certification Network will improve our ability to support migrants by providing them with more reliable and secure access to their health information across borders, thanks to the generous support of our donors and the cooperation of Member States and partners,” said Dr Poonam Dhavan Director, Migration Health Division at IOM. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to strengthen continuity of care, safeguard personal data, and develop digital solutions that address real needs in humanitarian and mobility contexts.”
