Doha: The upcoming global gathering of the World Innovation Summit for Health on October 4 to 6 is taking place in the immediate run up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
It will include a major focus on exploring the potential health legacy of the tournament. Other key areas of focus are post COVID-19 legacy, disability and accessibility, and wellbeing.
The sixth edition of the biennially held summit that has become a major fixture in the global healthcare calendar over the past decade, WISH Summit is known for shining a spotlight on issues such as antimicrobial resistance and healthcare in conflict zones. This year’s summit will tackle a diverse yet timely and critical set of topics at dedicated sessions that include: Building health system resilience: lessons from COVID-19, Mental health of health
and care workers, Vaccine and pharmaceutical innovation. Also, Islamic ethics and the healthcare of children in the age of genetics, Mental health and sports, Climate change, food security and health, Patient empowerment through patient-focused digital tools, Future Hospitals; COVID-19 legacy, and Healthcare waste management and sustainability.
Each panel discussion is underpinned by an evidence-based policy report drafted ahead of the summit by industry experts that offers concrete policy recommendations for governments, aimed at making healthcare more accessible and affordable.
Three additional sessions will explore healthcare in the context of this year’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, with these sessions also based around newly published reports specially commissioned for WISH 2022.
A commitment to sustainability and inclusivity underpins WISH 2022. The summit – being held under the theme of Healing The Future – will lead by example in promoting solutions to global health challenges, which aim to create greener practices within the healthcare industry and to make care services accessible to people of all abilities.
Aside from healthcare experts and industry leaders like Prof. Dame Sarah Gilbert, developer of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, and Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, several health ministers, elite sportspeople as well as renowned artists, like the Columbian contemporary fine artist Dairo Vargas, will be participating at the summit. Art in the form of live painting and photographic exhibitions will form the core of several critical discussions on such topics as mental health and wellbeing, and destigmatising disability in the Arab world.
Also back this year are the popular WISH Agora sessions, which aim to recreate the inclusive and interactive atmosphere of ancient Greek assemblies that existed as platforms for frank and open conversations. At WISH 2022, the Agoras will explore topics such as workplace stress, safeguarding mental health of medical students, and how to keep health systems ready for future emergencies.
Ahead of the summit, WISH will host Doha Healthcare Week starting on September 29. The week will engage Qatar’s local community by offering a wide range of wellness activities aimed at improving both physical and mental health and catered for both children and adults.
To register your interest in attending the upcoming WISH 2022 summit, visit https://2022.wish.org.qa/
