Looking for innovative answers to global healthcare issues, leaders gather in Doha

Source: Hindustan Times

Hundreds of policymakers and medical experts from 67 countries gathered at Doha in Qatar on Tuesday for the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH). Seeking innovative solutions to the world’s biggest healthcare challenges, the two-day summit will also have celebrated leaders like Daw Aung San Suu Kyi – chairperson of Myanmar’s National League for Democracy.

“Innovation is the answer” – said Lord Darzi of Denham in the UK, chairman of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London and executive chair of WISH, at the inaugural session on Tuesday.

“We must embrace the innovation we need to secure the health we want, whoever we are and wherever we live.”

The conference is being hosted by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development – which has Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar as its chairperson.

“Healthy populations and good healthcare are priorities for every nation. Yet healthcare providers around the world are faced with critical challenges: delivering quality and affordable healthcare; financing the discovery of the best prevention techniques and interventions; and integrating this knowledge into public health and social policies,” she said.

“WISH will champion radical innovation in health in order to implement positive changes across the globe.”

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York in the UK, said, “I see innovation on a daily basis when I travel in all parts of the world, and I want to see it as a collaboration not just between business but between countries to bring down health costs and improve access.”

London Mayor Boris Johnson will also address the summit, along with other political leaders from across the world.

Through WISH, the Qatar Foundation aims to develop practical solutions to drive reforms in healthcare policy, research and delivery to make quality and affordable healthcare accessible to all.