GLOBAL INEQUALITY IN HEALTHCARE LEADS TO CALL FOR REFORMS IN UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE
Sir David Nicholson appointed by WISH to oversee global team of innovators exploring new methods to extend universal healthcare provision
Doha, 28 October 2014: The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), a global initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), has appointed Sir David Nicholson KCE CBE, former Chief Executive of NHS England, to chair its Universal Health Coverage Forum.
Access to quality healthcare is a basic human right, but more than one billion people currently live without it and hundreds of millions are forced into poverty by out-of-pocket healthcare costs. With a booming global population and increasing wealth inequality, international bodies such as the World Bank and World Health Organization have called on policymakers to prioritize the development of universal health coverage (UHC).
The WISH Summit, taking place in Qatar early next year, will play a key role in addressing and trying to find solutions to the most pressing global health issues, including universal health coverage for all by engaging dialogue between high-level policymakers, academics and industry leaders. The Summit is in line with Qatar Foundation’s mission of launching initiatives as part of a drive towards fundamental healthcare development and reform.
The Forum will support policymakers by considering key questions they face as they move towards UHC, and develop recommendations as part of an evidence-based report to be presented at the next WISH Summit in Doha on 17-18 February 2015.
Commenting on his role at Forum, Sir David said: “It is our duty to ensure that no one is left without access to quality healthcare simply because they cannot afford it. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the UHC Forum to develop new approaches to an issue that is moving very swiftly to the top of the global policy agenda.”
Sir David served as Chief Executive of England’s National Health Service from 2006 to 2014. He is highly regarded for overseeing reforms to NHS finances. Prior to this, he occupied a series of senior roles throughout the organization.
Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham, Executive Chair of WISH, added: “As former head of the oldest and largest single-payer healthcare system in the world, Sir David is uniquely placed to lead this important work for WISH. His experience will prove invaluable as the Forum works to deliver practical, evidence based methods for extending quality healthcare provision to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.”
Universal Health Coverage is one of seven research streams to be presented at the 2015 Summit, where world leading experts will join an influential community of heads of state, government ministers, academics, clinicians, policy makers and business leaders to discuss innovative solutions to some of the most pressing global health challenges.
As well as UHC, WISH will publish reports on communicating complex health messages, diabetes, dementia, mental health and well-being in children and young people, delivering affordable cancer care, and patient safety.
For more information about WISH or the 2015 Summit, please visit: wish.org.qa.
ENDS
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 (QF) is a private, non-profit organisation that is supporting Qatar on its journey from a carbon economy to a 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, Father Emir 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 commercializing 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, please visit: http://www.qf.org.qa
For more information about Qatar Foundation please contact our press office at: pressoffice@qf.org.qa.
