Rachit Negi & Vandana Yadav •
In today’s interconnected world, diseases spread faster than ever across borders, making global cooperation on health data not just helpful but essential. The COVID-19 pandemic was a wake-up call, proving that when outbreaks strike, no country can go it alone. As nations invest in digital health tools, the next critical step is breaking down barriers to sharing health data across regions not just for emergencies, but to improve everyday care, medical research, and health security for all.
What does cross-border health data sharing really mean? It’s about securely exchanging medical information between countries whether to track disease outbreaks, ensure travellers get proper care abroad, or let researchers collaborate on life-saving treatments. Imagine a Southeast Asian migrant worker accessing their medical records while abroad, or African nations pooling data to combat malaria more effectively. The benefits are clear, but the path forward isn’t simple.
Advanced digital systems alone can’t solve all challenges. Countries deal with privacy law conflicts, data misuse concerns, and political reluctance to share sensitive health information. Europe leads with its Health Data Space, but other regions must find a way to follow while safeguarding patient rights and national interests.
This article explores how nations can turn this vision into reality. We will look at real-world examples, identify the key ingredients for success like standardized rules, secure systems, and public trust and outline a practical roadmap for regions ready to collaborate. The goal? A future where health data moves as freely as people do, but with the right safeguards in place.
The global momentum toward integrated digital health ecosystems is being driven by key international frameworks and collaborations. The WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025¹ emphasizes the need for countries to build robust, interoperable digital health systems to achieve universal health coverage and enhance health emergency preparedness. It advocates for standardized health data exchange, governance, and inclusive digital infrastructure.
The G20 Digital Health initiatives emphasize digital technologies’ role in enhancing global health security. They focus on pandemic preparedness, telemedicine, and data sharing. These efforts aim to standardize data, ensure ethical use, and harmonize regulations for global interoperability and equitable access to digital health innovations.
Rationale and Need for Cross-Border Health Data Sharing
Healthcare doesn’t stop at the border and patients should not have to wait for their medical needs. Today, people are constantly on the move for work, education, medical treatment, or simply travel. Yet when they cross borders, their medical records often don’t follow. Imagine a business traveller with diabetes needing emergency care abroad, a student studying overseas with a chronic condition, or a migrant worker requiring their vaccination history–without access to their health records, treatment becomes riskier and less efficient.
Disease outbreaks make the stakes even higher. COVID-19 proved how quickly infections spread across countries but also how much faster we could have responded with real-time data sharing. Think of Zika, Ebola, or future pandemics: if neighbouring countries can instantly share alerts and case tracking, containment becomes far more effective.
For vulnerable populations, refugees, migrant workers, cross-border communities this isn’t just about convenience, it’s about survival. A refugee arriving in a new country shouldn’t have to restart their medical history from scratch. A construction worker moving between countries for jobs should have their allergies and medications accessible to any doctor. Beyond individual care, shared data saves lives on a larger scale. Medical breakthroughs like cancer research or vaccine development depend on diverse, global data. When countries collaborate, researchers get better insights, public health policies improve, and everyone benefits.
The bottom line? In a world where people, diseases, and medical knowledge flow freely, clinging to isolated health systems is dangerous and outdated. The future of healthcare depends on breaking down data barriers while keeping security and privacy intact. The question isn’t whether we should share health data across borders it’s how we can do it safely, fairly, and effectively.
Countries are waking up to a simple truth when it comes to health, we are all connected. Slowly but surely, nations are breaking down digital barriers to share health data across borders not because it’s easy, but because it’s essential.
A new playbook for health cooperation is emerging led by pioneering regions that are demonstrating how to share health data responsibly while safeguarding privacy. Their successes, along with occasional missteps, are shaping the blueprints that other regions are likely to adopt. The European Union’s European Health Data Space (EHDS) is one such pioneering initiative. It enables patients, providers, and researchers across member states to securely access and exchange health records, while embedding strict GDPR-based privacy safeguards2. Early pilots in countries like Finland and Estonia have shown how cross-border digital prescriptions and shared electronic health records can work in practice, although challenges remain around interoperability and consent management.
This isn’t just about technology – it’s about rebuilding health systems for a world without borders, one partnership at a time. The question is no longer “if” but “how fast” we can make this work for everyone.
Real-World Progress: How Regions Are Making Cross-Border Health Data Work
The world is slowly but surely connecting its health systems and these initiatives show how it’s happening:
1. Within the European Union, the European Health Data Space (EHDS) is like a digital health passport for all citizens. Need a prescription filled in Spain? Your records can follow you. Moving to Germany for work? Your medical history comes with you—securely. Beyond personal use, researchers can access anonymized data (with strict privacy rules) to speed up medical breakthroughs. The European Reference Networks (ERNs) connect clinicians across borders to share patient data for rare diseases. European countries are major contributors to the OECD Health Data Project, WHO surveillance systems (e.g., GISRS for influenza, COVID-19 databases), and global digital health policy dialogues. In genomics, the 1+ Million Genomes Initiative links EU member states with international efforts under the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH). Interoperability frameworks such as MyHealth@EU and standards like HL7 FHIR, SNOMED CT, and ICD-11 are being implemented to ensure cross-border data portability. Beyond the EU, countries like Norway, Switzerland, and the UK collaborate in these initiatives, while also pursuing global partnerships on AI in health, cancer registries, and digital health governance.
2. North America- U.S. and Canada are advancing interoperability through standards like HL7 FHIR and initiatives such as TEFCA (Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement). The U.S. and Canada participate in several global health data sharing initiatives. Both countries contribute to the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH), which sets standards for ethical genomic and clinical data exchange across more than 100 countries. They are partners in the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC/ARGO), sharing cancer genomics datasets for precision medicine research. Through the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and COVID-19 data collaboratives, they exchange real-time surveillance data on infectious diseases. The OECD Health Data Project includes both nations in comparative health system performance reporting.
3. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is actively engaged in global health data sharing through several initiatives. It participates in the World Health Organization (WHO) digital health and surveillance networks, including COVID-19 and influenza data reporting via GISRS. The UAE collaborates with the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) and regional partners on precision medicine, particularly through its Genomics Council and large-scale population sequencing projects that align with global genomic data frameworks. It contributes to the OECD Health Statistics platform to benchmark health system performance internationally. The country is also part of the Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP), which includes over 30 countries and organizations working on interoperability, AI, and health data governance. Additionally, the UAE has positioned itself as a regional hub by linking its Malaffi and Riayati health information exchanges to global interoperability standards (e.g., HL7 FHIR, SNOMED CT), enabling future cross-border data collaborations.
4. Australia & New Zealand are implementing national digital health records (My Health Record in Australia, Hira in New Zealand) with cross-country data-sharing pilots for patient mobility. Through Genomics Australia and contributions to the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH), Australia shares genomic data and aligns with international standards for rare disease and cancer research. It is part of the OECD Health Data project, contributing health system performance metrics for global benchmarking. Australia also collaborates with the WHO on global surveillance systems, such as the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and COVID-19 data exchanges.
5. Africa is leapfrogging old systems with its Digital Transformation Strategy. During COVID-19, countries like Rwanda and Kenya tested digital health passes and shared outbreak data faster. The goal? A future where borders don’t block life-saving health alerts. The African Union’s Digital Health Strategy (2020–2030) promotes cross-border interoperability and alignment with international standards (HL7 FHIR, ICD-11, SNOMED CT). South Africa is a key contributor to the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) and the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) initiative, which links African genomic research with international partners. Regional efforts like the East Africa Open Science Cloud and Smart Africa Digital Health Flagship aim to harmonize health data governance and enable global research participation. Countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda are engaging in OECD and WHO health statistics projects to benchmark system performance.
6. Southeast Asian Countries are increasingly active in cross-border and global health data initiatives, though maturity varies across the region. Many (e.g., Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam) contribute to the WHO’s Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and COVID-19 platforms, providing critical real-time outbreak data. Singapore is a leader, participating in the Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP) and aligning its National Electronic Health Record (NEHR) with global interoperability standards (HL7 FHIR, SNOMED CT). Thailand and Vietnam are engaged in the Asia eHealth Information Network (AeHIN), a WHO-supported regional forum promoting standards-based health data exchange and open-source digital health solutions. Countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia collaborate with the OECD Health Statistics initiative to benchmark population health indicators internationally. In genomics, Singapore’s National Precision Medicine programme partners with the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH), while other nations are exploring biobank collaborations.
7. South Asia. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s Digital Health Cooperation Framework is stitching together systems across countries like Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. Early pilots already allow patients in rural Cambodia to consult specialists in Bangkok without paperwork delays in telemedicine without borders becoming a reality. Beyond ASEAN, similar momentum is visible in the BBINS region (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka). The think tank Learning Initiatives on Reforms for Network Economies Asia( LIRNEasia), with partners like Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) India and regional institutions, is shaping policies for responsible cross-border data flows, including electronic health records (EHRs). Their work emphasizes balancing privacy, security, and digital integration to enable smoother regional healthcare collaboration³. For disease surveillance, India has established cross-border coordination with Nepal and Bhutan for communicable diseases such as malaria, kala-azar, and lymphatic filariasis. These efforts involve sharing standardized case data (patient age, travel history, treatment status), aligning surveillance protocols, and holding biannual coordination meetings. At a broader level, initiatives like CORDS (Connecting Organizations for Regional Disease Surveillance) promote cooperative infectious disease monitoring across Asia, though participation from South Asia remains limited.⁴ Together, these initiatives signal a growing ecosystem of regional health integration where telemedicine, data-sharing frameworks, and joint disease surveillance form the foundation of a more connected and resilient healthcare future in Asia.
8. Latin America. Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) helps countries like Brazil and Paraguay track dengue and Zika across borders. In health corridors, mobile workers and families already benefit from shared vaccine records proof that even basic data exchange saves lives. In the Mesoamerican Health Initiative, Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras have piloted “health corridors” where mobile workers and families carry interoperable vaccine records. This ensures children receive their full immunization schedules even when parents migrate seasonally, reducing drop-outs and improving maternal–child health outcomes.
Here's what really matters:
1. Speaking the Same Digital Language. Right now, health systems often “talk” in different dialects. We need universal standards (like Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) for medical data) so a hospital in Delhi can seamlessly read records from Manila. Open-source tools are key, they give every country the same playbook instead of forcing them to buy expensive proprietary systems.
2. Privacy without paralysis. People rightly worry about their health data being misused. The solution? Strong but practical rules that work across borders, with real penalties for violations. Regional “health data council” concept is emerging especially through regional data sharing frameworks, national governance boards, and public-private collaborations⁵. These may evolve into more formal health data councils in the near future, especially in regions like the EU, ASEAN, or among SAARC nations where it is jointly monitored how data moves and step in if something goes wrong.
3. Laws that work together. Today, a doctor might know how to treat your condition but can’t access your records because of legal red tape. We need model agreements that make data sharing legal by default for critical care. Simple templates for data-sharing deals between countries could cut years of negotiation time.
4. Shared digital infrastructure. Why should every country build its own expensive system? Regional platforms like Africa’s District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) show how shared tools save money and lives. It’s like building highways for health data once the infrastructure is in place, everyone can travel faster and farther.
5. Training the next generation of health technology experts.The best systems fail without skilled people to run them. Regional training hubs could create a workforce fluent in both medicine and data security. This isn’t just about information technology, we need ethicists, lawyers, and communicators who understand this complex landscape.
6. Earning public trust daily. After COVID, public trust in data systems has declined. People need transparent explanations of how their health data will improve care, along with easy opt-out options. Ethical review boards should have real power to block questionable uses of health data.
7. Emergency mode that works. When the next pandemic hits, we can’t waste time debating data sharing. Pre-approved protocols (like ASEAN’s outbreak alert system) save crucial days. Fire drills for health crises are critical—countries need to practice now so that they don’t freeze when it’s a real crisis.
8. Smart funding solutions. Pooled funding (like the EU’s digital health budget), lets smaller countries punch above their weight. Including digital health in trade deals creates incentives, for example a country could receive better market access if it joins the regional health data network.
Here's what really matters:
This isn’t about technology for technology’s sake. It’s all about safely and seamlessly sharing vital data whenever it is critical or helpful.
The pieces exist. Now we need the courage and political will to put them together because health shouldn’t stop at the border. This isn’t just about technology it’s about trust, political will, and smart rules. Some regions sprint ahead; others take cautious steps. But the trend is clear – healthcare’s future is borderless. We’re not just building data pipelines, we are building trust.
This is the unfinished business of COVID-19, proving we can learn from catastrophe. The technology exists. The need is clear. Now we need the will to connect the dots literally.
References
- World Health Organization. (2021). Global strategy on digital health 2020-2025. World Health Organization. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/344249.
- https://health.ec.europa.eu/ehealth-digital-health-and-care/european-health-data-space-regulation-ehds_en
- Lee, Tsung-Ling. (2025). DIGITAL HEALTH GOVERNANCE: ASEAN AND THE THREE NARRATIVES OF DIGITAL (IN)JUSTICE. 101-159. 10.2924/EJLS.2025.LT.004.
- https://lirneasia.net/2024/05/data-without-borders-lirneasia-joins-in-shaping-policies-to-enable-cross-border-data-flows-in-asia/
- Conduah, A. K., Ofoe, S., & Siaw-Marfo, D. (2025). Data privacy in healthcare: Global challenges and solutions. Digital health, 11, 20552076251343959. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251343959
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