The past decades have witnessed a surge in digital health innovations within the field of global health. While these innovations are aimed at enhancing health and well-being, their implementation can unintentionally worsen inequities, result in unethical practices, or fail entirely if not aligned with the needs of users, clients, and systems. 

This position paper draws on our experience as technical partners in implementing, researching and evaluating innovative digital health technologies. It highlights cross-cutting learnings and offers reflections and practical approaches to support effective implementation and avoid common pitfalls in implementing and scaling digital health technologies.

The paper aims to support developers, donors, policy makers, implementers and users in applying a holistic lens to the equitable and sustainable implementation of digital health technologies, to ensure these technologies reach their full potential, impact and appropriate embedding in institutions and societies, using a people-centred approach.