Strengthening digital health systems in the Pacific: The need for interoperability and innovation

Pacific Island Countries and Territories face unique challenges delivering equitable health services due to vast geographic dispersion, limited transport infrastructure, workforce shortages, and increasing climate risks. This article aims to highlight the urgent need for interoperable, standards-based digital health systems in the Pacific and to outline practical pathways for strengthening regional collaboration and resilience. Digital health is not merely a technological upgrade but an essential enabler of health equity and system sustainability. While telehealth and mobile health have gained traction, their full potential is undermined by fragmented, non-interoperable systems that restrict data flows, duplicate effort, and limit impact. Recent progress including national strategies in some Pacific countries and new regional frameworks championed by the Pacific Health Information Network demonstrates growing commitment to shared standards and people-centered solutions. A key pillar for digital health in the Pacific is the need to address language access capabilities thus building multilingual interoperability of systems for clinical safety, equity and effective public-health communication. Practical examples show how shared infrastructure and collaboration strengthen connected care and workforce development across dispersed islands. Achieving this transformation requires strong governance, climate-resilient systems, ethical data protections, and sustained partnerships. Countries, partners, and institutions are called to embed interoperability in national strategies, invest in local capacity, and advance regionally coordinated initiatives such as a Centre of Excellence for Telehealth and Interoperability further promoting language access and multilingual standards for shared health services and workforce. Together, these actions can build a digitally connected health ecosystem that bridges distances, strengthens resilience, and delivers equitable care for all Pacific communities.