The seventh World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) kicked off in Doha on Wednesday, bringing together global health experts under one roof for two consecutive days. Humanizing healthcare in times of conflict and inequality is the central theme of WISH 2024.
This year, the event, hosted by Qatar Foundation (QF), aims to explore innovative solutions that prioritize the well-being of all, leaving no one behind. By focusing on resilience and equity, WISH aims to inspire a healthier future for everyone, everywhere.
The opening ceremony featured distinguished speakers including Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, former Minister of Public Health of Qatar; Lord Darzi of Denham, Executive Chairman of WISH; and Dr Christos Christou, President of Médecins Sans Frontières.
In his opening remarks, His Excellency Dr Al Kuwari said: “Under the visionary leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, WISH continues to expand as a global community committed to making healthcare accessible and humane. At WISH, we strive to showcase the most innovative ideas and cutting-edge scientific advances. But we are also focused on confronting the urgent challenges that lie before us.”
This year’s theme, ‘Humanising Health: Conflict, Equity and Resilience’, reflects our commitment to addressing the profound health challenges facing people around the world, particularly those who have endured and continue to endure unimaginable hardships… The toll of war and displacement has tested humanity’s resilience and highlighted the urgent need for peace, health and protection.”
Lord Darzi of Denham, Executive Chairman of WISH, drew attention to the perilous conditions faced by health workers in conflict zones. “War is a health catastrophe. There can be no justification for targeting health workers or health infrastructure – it is simply and utterly wrong. We must come together to condemn such acts and honour those who courageously continue to provide care in the most atrocious conditions.”
Discussing the summit’s theme of conflict, equity and resilience, he condemned the alarming rise in attacks on health workers and health infrastructure. “We need to know that there is a place that is respected, and that place is a hospital. We are struggling without basic medicines, anesthetics or antibiotics. There are many doctors in Gaza who are performing amputations on children without anesthesia, for example,” said Dr Christou.
When asked about MSF’s impartial approach, he reaffirmed the organization’s unwavering commitment to providing medical aid without exception. However, doctors “have a mission to bear witness, to be the voice of the voiceless… Neutrality means many things, but it does not mean silence.”
A powerful video was shown to convey a profound message about the suffering of Palestinians following Israeli aggression against Gaza.
This edition is notable for WISH’s partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), marking a new era of collaboration in global health. By developing evidence-based reports and policy briefs, the two organizations aim to transform the delivery of health care, prioritizing the human aspect and responding to the specific needs of vulnerable populations.
This partnership underlines the importance of innovation and human-centered approaches to addressing global health challenges.
The global gathering event examines the theme of “Humanizing Health” across four key areas:
– The health impacts of armed conflict, including pain management, disability, hunger and mental health.
– The health of refugees, migrants and other vulnerable groups, with a focus on tuberculosis and palliative care.
– Innovations in health systems, including combating antimicrobial resistance and ethical considerations in AI.
– Empowering communities for better health: tackling obesity and women’s cancers.
The first day of the summit featured a multitude of brainstorming sessions on the reports produced by WISH and WHO, in addition to in-depth discussions and open debates.
The first keynote session of the day was entitled “On the frontlines: Protecting health in armed conflict,” a joint effort by WISH and WHO on the 2024 report. The discussion was moderated by Richard Brennan, Regional Director for Emergencies, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, and health experts including Yousuf Al Khater, President of the Qatar Red Crescent Society, and Sigrid Kaag, UN Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza.
In addition, one of the most significant sessions of the first day focused on antimicrobial resistance, exploring the joint WISH-WHO report “Tackling…”.