WORLD INNOVATION SUMMIT FOR HEALTH BACKS THE HUMAN RIGHT TO HEALTH ON FIRST EVER UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE DAY

Global initiative of Qatar Foundation WISH joins Oxfam, WHO, Save the Children and over 500 other organizations in calling for global action for Universal Health Coverage

Doha, Qatar 10 December 2014: The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), a global initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), is lending its support to the first ever Universal Health Coverage Day taking place on 12 December.

WISH is proud to stand alongside more than 500 partner organizations from over 100 countries, including World Health Organization, Oxfam and Save the Children in calling for fair healthcare for all.

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is the basic concept that every person, everywhere, should have access to healthcare without suffering financial hardship. This essential human right is a cornerstone of sustainable development and global security. Recognised as a subject of such importance, the World Bank Group has identified UHC as a top priority for sustainable development.

Recent research looking into the health of 2035 showed that for every USD1 invested in health today, we could reap USD20 increase in income over the next 20 years. To date more than 80 countries have asked the World Health Organization (WHO) for help in moving toward UHC, including the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Recognizing December 12 as an important day, WISH has released a video on its website of UHC Forum Chair Sir David Nicholson, former Chief Executive of the National Health Service in England, who introduces the importance of UHC ahead of presenting the Forum’s exclusive insights at the second global summit in February 2015. Sir David is leading a team of experts from around the world to produce evidence-based research that can help guide policymakers and others responsible for the distribution of accessible and affordable healthcare. The video is available on this link: https://wish.org.qa/2015-summit/forumsandpanels/universal-health-coverage.

Commenting on the significance of universal healthcare coverage, Professor The Lord Darzi of Denham, Executive Chair of WISH and Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College of London, said: “This essential human right of healthcare is a cornerstone of thriving communities, sustainable development and global security – that today, one billion people still live without access to good healthcare is shocking. The policy report that we will publish on UHC in February 2015 will provide recommendations for policymakers to implement much needed change in how healthcare is financed and delivered.”

Through its support of UHC Day, WISH highlights QF’s mission to inspire and promote healthcare development and reform through a global network of high-level policymakers, academics and industry leaders. It remains closely aligned to the vision and mission of QF to unlock human potential and underscore Qatar’s pioneering role as an emerging center for healthcare innovation.

For more information about WISH or the 2015 Summit, please visit wish.org.qa.

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Notes to Editors:

For more information please contact:
Noha El Afify
WISH Communications Manager
nelafify@wish.org.qa
+974 7768 6624

About the World Innovation Summit for Health:

The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) is a global healthcare community dedicated to capturing and disseminating the best evidence-based ideas and practices. WISH is an initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) and is under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, its Chairperson.

The inaugural WISH Summit took place in Doha in 2013 and convened more than 1,000 global healthcare leaders. Through annual summits and a range of ongoing initiatives, WISH is creating a global community of leading innovators in healthcare policy, research and industry.

Together, they are harnessing the power of innovation to overcome the world’s most urgent healthcare challenges and inspire other stakeholders to action.

Qatar Foundation – Unlocking Human Potential

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development is a private, non-profit organisation that is supporting Qatar on its journey from a carbon economy to knowledge economy by unlocking human potential for the benefit of not only Qatar, but the world. Founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Amir of Qatar, QF is chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.

QF carries out its mission through three strategic pillars: education, science and research, and community development. QF’s education pillar brings world-class universities to Qatar to help create an education sector in which young people can develop the attitudes and skills required for a knowledge economy. Meanwhile, its science and research pillar builds Qatar’s innovation and technology capacity by developing and commercialising solutions through key sciences. Finally, its community development pillar helps foster a progressive society while also enhancing cultural life, protecting Qatar’s heritage and addressing immediate social needs in the community.

For a complete list of QF’s initiatives and projects, visit http://www.qf.org.qa

For more information about Qatar Foundation please contact our press office at: pressoffice@qf.org.qa