WISH CEO Champions NCD Care in Humanitarian Settings at IFRC Global Advocacy Boot Camp

Geneva, Switzerland, May 5, 2025 – Dr. Slim Slama, CEO of the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), is speaking today at the opening high-level panel discussion of the Global NCD Advocacy Boot Camp on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Humanitarian Settings, hosted by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). This event, organized in partnership with the Danish Red Cross, IADA, and LSHTM, aims to address the urgent need to prioritize NCD care in crisis-affected regions.

WISH’s participation underscores its commitment to addressing the growing burden of NCDs, particularly in vulnerable populations and humanitarian settings. This engagement builds upon WISH’s prior work, which has highlighted the importance of integrating NCD prevention and management into emergency response efforts. WISH, as the world’s leading global health gathering, brings unparalleled expertise and influence to this critical dialogue.

“NCDs account for the majority of global deaths, and their impact is amplified in humanitarian settings where health systems are already strained,” said Dr. Slim Slama. “It is imperative that we prioritize NCD care as a core component of integrated humanitarian health responses. This Boot Camp is a vital step towards building political will, mobilizing collective action, and ensuring that no one is left behind.”

This high-level panel discussion will set the strategic tone for the Boot Camp, bringing together diverse leadership perspectives to advance the NCD agenda in humanitarian settings. Dr. Slama’s participation in this event is a precursor to closer collaboration between WISH and IFRC and partners, working towards a future where NCDs are no longer a silent crisis in humanitarian response.

“This collaboration with IFRC and its partners is a significant opportunity to drive meaningful change,” added Dr. Slama. “By working together, we can develop and implement innovative solutions that improve the lives of people living with NCDs in the most challenging circumstances.”