The Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi, took the floor today during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, Tlaleng Mofokeng, in the framework of the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council.
Ambassador Grassi highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the rise of digital health, including the contribution of digital innovation and technologies to the realization of the right to physical and mental health. In this regard, he reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to promote digital technologies in health systems in order to improve global health and achieve universal health coverage through a human rights-based approach.
It was also recalled that digital transition is also one of the pillars of the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan, and will involve the Italian healthcare system with a view to provide equal access to health services for all. Italy is in fact engaged in promoting new telemedicine projects for remote assistance and in enhancing the implementation of the electronic health records, while fostering the protection of personal data and the right to privacy.
Ambassador Grassi further recognized that digital innovation and technologies are an asset to realize the right to health, while highlighting the need to ensure accessibility and to address the digital divide, especially for women and girls who can benefit from technology and digital tools to adopt informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
“The respect of the principles of equality, non-discrimination, participation and transparency is crucial to fulfil the right to health in relation to digital innovation and technologies”, concluded Ambassador Grassi, pointing out the connection of this issue with the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Read the full statement here.
