Advancing Workforce Development in Digital Health: A Regional Model from the GCC

This study examines the evolution of ZIMAM's role in the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) taskforce on workforce development in digital healthcare. Established in 2016 and formalized as a non-profit organization in 2023, ZIMAM integrates international best practices, regional insights, and innovative strategies to develop a scalable digital health knowledge and skills framework. ZIMAM's methodology includes competency mapping aligned with the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA), stakeholder engagement, and iterative validation to ensure relevance and adaptability. Key ZIMAM initiatives encompass the development of governance structures, capacity-building workshops, annual conferences, and recognition programs such as the ZIMAM-ELSEVIER Digital Health Awards. Results reveal that ZIMAM has made contributions which include: the establishment of a robust governance digital health framework, expansion of partnerships across digital health sectors, and implementation of pilot-tested competency frameworks tailored to the GCC's healthcare landscape. Challenges such as scalability and workforce data limitations are addressed through collaborations with advanced technologies and AI-driven learning platforms. This study highlights ZIMAM's systematic approach to bridging healthcare and ICT competencies, demonstrating its role as a model for regional workforce development and offering a replicable framework for addressing global digital health workforce challenges.