Transforming Healthcare through Research, Innovation, and Value Engineering (THRIVE): A Framework for Sustainable Health Solutions in LMICs [version 1]

Despite significant investments by governments in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), achieving long-term, sustainable digital health solutions remains a persistent challenge. Ministries of health allocate considerable resources to research, digital technologies, and health information systems, yet many initiatives are short-lived or fragmented, lacking the systemic integration needed for enduring impact. 1 Sustainable digital health solutions require more than financial investment; they demand a strategic combination of research initiatives, policy development, and effective use of technology. Initiatives such as the WHO Strategic Partners Initiative for Data and Digital Health (SPI-DDH) demonstrate how coordinated global efforts can enhance data interoperability, stimulate innovation, and guide policy formation. 2 However, these benefits can only be realised through a dedicated infrastructure that supports the continuous cycle (feedback loop) of innovation, evaluation, and implementation. This article introduces the Transforming Healthcare through Research, Innovation, and Value Engineering (THRIVE) Framework, a comprehensive, research-driven approach designed to build a sustainable health system infrastructure.