As health systems become increasingly dependent on digital technologies, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean is calling for stronger cybersecurity measures to protect patients, health services and critical health infrastructure from cyber threats.

A regional webinar on “Cybersecurity in Health Care: Strengthening Health Security through Regional Partnerships”, organized by the Regional Office, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), highlighted that cybersecurity is no longer solely an information technology concern. Cyberattacks can disrupt electronic health records, laboratory and diagnostic systems, emergency services and connected medical devices, potentially delaying care and putting patient safety at risk.

The event brought together 346 participants from around the world, including representatives from ministries of health, government institutions, health care facilities, emergency services and the cybersecurity and information technology sectors.