Doha, Qatar – Qatar Foundation’s 7th World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH 7) opened yesterday at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), under the theme “Humanizing Health: Conflict, Equity, and Resilience.” The event, graced by H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, brought together global health policymakers, innovators, researchers, and practitioners to address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.
The opening ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Minister of Public Health H E Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud, former Minister of Public Health H E Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, WISH CEO Slim Slama, Executive Chair of WISH Lord Darzi of Denham, and President of Médecins Sans Frontières Dr. Christos Christou.
In her opening address, H E Al Kuwari emphasized Qatar’s commitment to fostering global cooperation and tackling urgent health challenges. She highlighted the theme of this year’s summit, stating, “This year’s theme, ‘Humanizing Health: Conflict, Equity, and Resilience,’ reflects our dedication to addressing profound health issues, especially for those enduring unimaginable hardships.” Al Kuwari also called attention to the critical need for healthcare protection in conflict zones, advocating for rebuilding lives with compassion and resilience.
Dr. Christos Christou echoed this sentiment, stressing that attacks on healthcare facilities have become a troubling “new norm,” especially in regions like Gaza. He called for accountability and tangible action to protect healthcare workers and facilities, noting, “There are many doctors in Gaza amputating on children without anaesthetic, scrambling without basic medicines.”
A powerful film shown during the opening ceremony shared the story of 11-year-old Dareen Al Bayaa, a Palestinian girl who lost 47 family members in a devastating attack in Gaza on October 22, 2023. Dareen and her five-year-old brother are now in Doha for medical care.
Day one of WISH 7 included discussions on several reports developed in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), covering topics such as protecting healthcare in conflict zones, combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the ethics of AI in Gulf-region healthcare. Additional sessions examined women’s cancer, palliative care, and the impact of the war in Sudan.
Today, the summit will continue with discussions on mental health, obesity, diabetes, and other key topics. WISH 7 will conclude with the announcement of winners in the WISH innovation competitions and the launch of the new CARDIO4Cities initiative, aimed at tackling urban cardiovascular health challenges.
