Qatar Foundation’s WISH Summit 2024 addresses global health challenges in partnership with WHO


The seventh edition of the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), an initiative by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, is set to take place on 13-14 November 2024 at the Qatar National Convention Centre. This year’s WISH Summit, known as WISH7, will gather over 3,000 influential figures from the health sector, including policy-makers, innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and practitioners, all collaborating to tackle some of today’s most urgent health challenges with innovative solutions. Prominent speakers will include the WHO Director-General and WHO Regional Directors from the Eastern Mediterranean, European, and African regions, sharing their expertise and vision for addressing today’s health challenges.

The long-standing partnership between WISH and the World Health Organization (WHO), initiated at WISH’s inception, underscores both organizations' commitment to advancing global health policy and practice. This collaboration focuses on critical global health challenges that demand immediate action. Central to this partnership at WISH7 are three WHO-led collaborative research projects that will generate evidence-based reports for in-depth discussion and policy recommendations.

WISH7 will address several pivotal themes:

  • Health of Vulnerable and Minority Populations: Examining healthcare access and disparities affecting marginalized communities worldwide.
  • Health and Armed Conflict: Highlighting the health impacts of conflict and ways to protect health systems and workers in conflict zones.
  • System-Level Innovation and Change: Proposing ways to transform healthcare systems for enhanced resilience and efficiency.
  • Community-Led Engagement and Intervention: Emphasizing the role of community-driven initiatives in addressing local health needs.

Throughout the past year, WHO has contributed to various reports and policy papers on pressing health topics, several of which will be showcased at WISH7:

  1. Protecting Health in Armed Conflict: Since 2018, WHO has recorded over 7,400 attacks on healthcare facilities in conflict zones, with few accountability measures in place. WHO and WISH call for a global alliance to support diplomatic pressure for appointing a UN special rapporteur to monitor and report on these attacks. This international initiative aims to protect healthcare systems in conflict areas and ensure accountability.

  2. Women’s Cancer: Breast and cervical cancer rates are on the rise in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, with significant health and economic implications. WHO advocates for investment in HPV vaccination and early detection programs as a cost-effective means to reduce incidence and mortality, projecting a high return on investment and improved public health outcomes.

  3. Palliative Care: The research report on palliative care highlights various case studies showcasing innovative models in palliative care delivery, cultural adaptation, needs assessment, and policy development. These models aim to address global inequities in access to quality palliative care.

  4. Tuberculosis (TB) Solutions: Novel approaches to combating TB, especially among refugees and migrants, will be explored, offering fresh perspectives on TB elimination efforts.

  5. Community Engagement and Relationality: This theme emphasizes the role of relational approaches in fostering community engagement in health initiatives.

  6. Women’s Employment in Health: This report examines the critical role of women in healthcare employment, with a particular focus on the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Visitors to the WHO Pavilion at WISH7 can engage with several global health initiatives through interactive exhibits, including:

  • HQ Corner: Showcasing S.A.R.A.H., WHO’s Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health.
  • Polio Corner: Featuring an interactive virtual reality experience focused on polio eradication efforts.
  • Emergency Corner: Offering insights into emergency health response mechanisms.
  • EMRO Corner: Highlighting strategic initiatives in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
  • Health4Life Fund: Presenting sustainable health solutions for all.

Additionally, an art exhibit featuring school children’s work from across the Eastern Mediterranean Region will address the dangers of tobacco use, complementing video displays of WHO’s regional initiatives, including efforts in the African Region.

WISH7 stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in improving global health outcomes, gathering thought leaders and health professionals from around the world to drive impactful change in health policy and practice.