World Health Organization (WHO), 20 May 2025

WHO designates a collaborating centre on digital health in Spain

WHO has designated the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) in Barcelona, Spain, as a WHO collaborating centre on digital health. Collaborating centres carry out activities in support of various WHO programmes in areas such as medicine, public health, nursing and midwifery, and more. UOC’s work plan for 2025–2029 includes supporting WHO/Europe in assessing and improving telemedicine and digital health services, as well as developing guides, methodologies and strategies for the effective integration of these solutions into national health systems. UOC will also be responsible for analytics on the implementation of digital solutions aligned with WHO/Europe’s priorities on universal health coverage, climate change and ageing under the new European Programme of Work 2025–2030.

“Ageing populations, rising costs of living, health workforce shortages and climate-related challenges require our health systems to adapt and evolve, including digitally,” said Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, WHO/Europe’s Director of Country Health Policies and Systems. “Today, more than 80% of countries in the Region have digital health strategies or policies, which makes the need for implementation support and evidence-based guidance increasingly important. UOC’s expertise will help us translate innovation potential into concrete improvements in access, quality and efficiency. We are pleased to continue this collaboration.”