Memorandum of Understanding between PATH and MURC
A collaborative effort toward creating Digital Health Ecosystems in LMICs
[Signing Ceremony] From left: Mr. Steve Davis, President and CEO (PATH), Mr. Koichi Ogawa, Director Senior Managing Executive Officer (MURC), Mr. Jeff Bernson, Vice President (PATH)
Media contact: Lindsay Bosslet | media@path.org
Seattle, Washington, USA, September 27, 2019 – We are pleased to announce that Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Japan, President: Satoshi Murabayashi, “MURC”) and PATH (Seattle USA, President and CEO: Steve Davis) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in order to collaborate in the creation of digital health ecosystems in low and middle income countries (LMICs) and innovative projects using advanced technologies, building on the capabilities, knowledge and network of both parties. Through these collaborative activities, both parties will contribute to the promotion of global health and greater health equity.
1．Background
The digital healthcare revolution has changed the way health systems operate such as connecting health workers, funding, building information network. Each government, in collaboration with the private sector, has a collective responsibility to take advantage of modern tools and technology to provide better health care delivery for the people it serves. To achieve sustainable health equity a digital transformation requires harmonic partnerships with government, business and civil society and must leverage expertise from across all sectors.
The MURC’s Center on Global Health Architecture tackles global health issues and focuses on “digital health,” or the use of digital technology to improve health and wellness systems. PATH focuses on developing and implementing digital and data tools and approaches that strengthen health systems in LMICs to accelerate health equity. Together, MURC and PATH will promote digital tools in supply chain management and public procurement systems in order to increase efficiency of supply of products, such as pharmaceuticals, vaccines and medical devices. Additionally, the two organizations will build a digital and data health eco-system for national and regional leaders in LMICs by development of digital health strategies and harmonization of various implementation plans across multiple projects. Through these efforts, we will provide innovative tools and approaches to improve and strengthen the health systems in order to preserve healthcare access to everyone and accelerate health equity.
2．Outlines of the two organization
■ PATH
PATH is a nonprofit global organization that works to accelerate health equity by improving and designing health systems. With expertise in science, health, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales tools and approaches—including vaccines, drugs, devices, diagnostics, and innovative approaches to strengthening health systems worldwide. In September 2018, PATH and WHO announced a landmark partnership to accelerate digital health transformation across the globe for the innovations and digital tools and approaches that are critical to improving health systems and health equity.
Website: https://www.path.org/
■ Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co. Ltd.
MURC is a think tank / consulting firm of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG). It has offices in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, and conducts diverse projects including consulting to companies, policy research for national and local governments, management information services, human resource development, and economic research.
The Secretariat of this MoU is MURC’s Center on Global Health Architecture that works on global health issues.
Website： https://www.digitalsociety.murc.jp/globalhealth/architecture/index.html
Facebook： https://www.facebook.com/cgha.murc/