Call for Participation: Strengthening Health Data Governance Legislation in Countries in South and South-East Asia

Overview

Asia eHealth Information Network (AeHIN) has been actively engaged in advancing the health data governance (HDG) agenda across the region since 2021. This includes conducting webinars, organizing national dialogues and regional consultations on the HDG principles, encouraging countries to endorse these principles, and supporting the World Health Assembly side meetings on HDG—playing a key role in securing Ministry of Health participation. 

This year AeHIN is collaborating with Transform Health on a new initiative to support countries towards strengthening their national legislative and regulatory frameworks for HDG. The model law on health data governance was developed based on the Health Data Governance principles and inspirations from reviews of national legislative and regulatory landscape reviews of 30 countries.

This project will provide targeted support to three countries within the South and South-East Asia regions. Each selected country will receive funding of up to USD 6,000 to conduct a thorough national landscape review and host an in-person workshop. These activities are designed to build consensus and facilitate the finalization of a national implementation roadmap for HDG.

Who should apply?

Ministry of Health or other competent Government authority from countries that have demonstrated strong commitment to strengthening their health data governance frameworks.

Eligibility criteria

We encourage applications from countries that meet most or all of the following criteria:

1. Intention to Reform/Update Legislation: The country recognizes the need to strengthen the legal framework for HDG in the country, or has plans to introduce new legislation related to HDG, or is open to updating the existing legislation to incorporate HDG components.
2. Political Will & Leadership: There is clear political commitment and strong leadership within the Ministry of Health to drive forward efforts on the HDG agenda.
3. Strategic Integration: HDG is considered an integral part of the country’s national digital health strategy or blueprint, rather than a standalone activity.
4. Ongoing Engagement: The country has consistently engaged with AeHIN or development partners on this HDG agenda—for example, endorsing the HDG Principles, providing written support to WHO regarding a global HDG framework at the World Health Assembly (WHA), conducting national dialogues, participating in AeHIN regional consultations, joining Geneva side meetings organized by Transform Health, or making official commitments related to HDG Principles or Model Law implementation.
5. Focal Point Designation: The Ministry of Health has already designated, or is willing to designate, a liaison or focal person to coordinate with AeHIN and work collaboratively on this project.

Mechanics

1. The Ministry of Health or other competent authority from the Government with the mandate to lead this project as a national effort may express interest via email to Jocelyn Teh at secretariat.malaysia@aehin.net before July 31, 2025 (5:00 PM MANILA TIME). 
2. Applications received by the above-mentioned date and time will be reviewed by AeHIN.
3. Applicants meeting the qualifying criteria will be invited for detailed discussion and decision on selection.

This project has been funded by Transform Health.

Official link