Research Report: Digital Health and Rights in Bangladesh and Colombia: Inception Paper 

Farzana Misha, Maria Beatriz Jimenez et al

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The inception paper explores the transformative potential of digital technology in health systems, particularly in low-resource settings, while addressing critical challenges to privacy, equality, and autonomy. It focuses on Bangladesh and Colombia, highlighting their digital health initiatives and the interplay between governance, legal frameworks, and human rights.

Key insights include:

– Digital health funding surged globally in 2020, reflecting its growing importance in health care delivery.

– Marginalised groups, including youth and criminalised communities, face heightened risks and limited inclusion in policymaking.

– Both Bangladesh and Colombia share challenges like inequalities in internet access, despite differing cultural and economic contexts.

– Legal and policy frameworks in both countries lack comprehensive national-level digital health strategies.

– Intersectional approaches are essential to address the impact of digital health on human rights and avoid perpetuating inequalities.

The paper underscores the need for inclusive governance and critical analysis of digital health systems to prevent reinforcing existing disparities. By comparing Bangladesh and Colombia, it identifies key gaps and opportunities to shape equitable and ethical digital health policies globally.

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