Doha, September 21 (QNA) - The State of Qatar has solidified its position as a global hub for dialogue and innovation in the health sector, said Dr. Slim Slama, CEO of World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), a global healthcare initiative of Qatar Foundation (QF) .

In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr. Slama emphasized that WISH has positioned Doha as a platform for international action and impact, rather than simply a venue for dialogue. He said this reflects Qatar's expanding role in shaping international dialogue and formulating solutions to pressing global health challenges.

Dr. Slama explained that the 8th edition of the summit, scheduled for Nov. 29 and 30 under the theme "The New Health Span," will explore five core pillars representing the most critical challenges and opportunities facing global healthcare to develop practical, sustainable solutions that improve quality of life and promote health equity. The themes include: The Longevity Dividend, Financing the Cure, AI and Human-centered Health, Future of Fertility, and Health Diplomacy 2.0. He noted that these topics directly respond to pressing global health challenges, aiming to deliver practical recommendations and policy insights to support decision-makers worldwide.

He highlighted that scientific progress achieves its true value when it directly enhances human life, health, and dignity. WISH's research agenda for this year focuses on four primary domains: The Longevity Dividend, where it explores how to transform scientific discoveries related to aging into opportunities for longer, healthier living; Financing the Cure, which addresses mechanisms for financing advanced therapeutic technologies, such as gene therapies, in sustainable and equitable ways that ensure their accessibility to diverse communities; AI and Human-Centred Health, which focuses on responsible use of AI in healthcare; and The Future of Fertility, which examines the future of fertility and reproductive technologies, along with their associated ethical and legislative dimensions in light of rapid technological progress. He indicated that the research reports to be released in these fields will provide evidence and practical recommendations to assist policymakers in addressing contemporary health challenges.

Regarding this year’s summit theme, the CEO of WISH explained that the world is witnessing a fundamental shift in the perception of longevity as it focuses on ensuring long years are characterized by better health, well-being, and quality of life.

With the population aging, the prevalence of chronic diseases, and persistent disparities in healthcare access are placing mounting pressure on healthcare systems. The summit aims to address these issues by proposing practical and sustainable solutions.

Regarding the key innovations the summit will highlight this year, the CEO of WISH stated that it would be on technologies capable of enhancing healthcare quality while keeping people at the center of attention. The theme AI and Human-Centred Health will address several critical issues, including the application of AI in primary healthcare and the requirements for governance, safety, and accountability associated with these technologies.

Emphasizing that strategic alliances are essential to WISH's mission, Dr. Slama highlighted ongoing collaborations with leading international entities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the University of Tokyo, as well as Qatar's Ministry of Public Health and the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC).

Dr. Slama also announced a new partnership with the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council to host an Innovation Exhibition during the summit. The exhibition will showcase practical applications demonstrating how AI and digital health tools can solve complex healthcare challenges. Regarding expected participation in the 8th edition, the WISH CEO explained that the event would draw wide participation from Qatar and abroad, featuring representatives from governments, healthcare institutions, research and innovation centers, and policymakers. He noted that this diversity is a key strength of the conference, reflecting the cross-border nature of today’s health challenges.

He noted that WISH has evolved over seven consecutive editions into a summit with global reach, establishing research and policy networks connected to major international hubs, including Geneva, New York, Nairobi, Cairo, and Manila.

Concluding his interview with QNA, Dr. Slim Slama stressed that the true measure of success for WISH lies in tangible outcomes achieved afterwards. He explained that each research report will produce clear recommendations, and the discussions will translate into practical public policy options, while continuing to develop the necessary frameworks. (QNA)