Doha: Health Affairs has published its September issue on global healthcare policy, featuring 10 articles written by World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) authors and contributors.
WISH, an initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), inspires and diffuses healthcare innovation and best practice through a global network of policymakers, academics and industry leaders. It is aligned with the vision and mission of QF to unlock human potential and serve to underscore Qatar’s pioneering role as an emerging centre for healthcare innovation.
The issue was launched at National Press Club, in the presence of over 150 leading figures from around the world, including the US and Qatar, representing academia, non-governmental organizations and the media.
Following opening remarks by Alan Weil, Health Affairs’ Editor-in-Chief, Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham, Executive Chair, WISH, and Director, Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London, discussed international health policy issues with Mark McClellan, Director, Initiative of Global Health Innovation, Brookings Institution, Washington DC.
Later, many WISH report authors presented their findings on topics ranging from diffusing innovation in global healthcare to health policy and the use of big data.
Following the launch, WISH hosted a luncheon, attended by Dr Mohamad Fathy Saoud, Senior Advisor to Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, and Lord Darzi, introduced QF and Education City to the US academic audience.
Health Affairs is the leading journal of health policy thought and research, focusing on policy issues at local, regional and international levels.
It promotes analyses and facilitates discussions on ways to improve health and healthcare issues.
The issue features 10 articles inspired by WISH and its partners about key global healthcare issues.
Engineer Saad Al Muhannadi, President, QF, said: “Health Affairs’ inclusion of 10 articles by WISH authors and contributors in its latest issue demonstrates the progress made by Qatar and QF in becoming a key influence for change in the global healthcare sphere. The high quality and original work of the papers being published by Health Affairs signal that WISH is on the right track in addressing some of the most pressing healthcare challenges across the world.”
Lord Darzi said: “Collaboration underpins everything we do at WISH, this is an excellent example of how our global community of healthcare experts support the spread of new ideas by sharing high-quality content and research. “Each article shares a common theme, action-focused best practice but realistic approaches that can facilitate practical improvements in healthcare provision in areas ranging from cancer care in the Gulf to the development of mobile technology to improve mental health.
“It also demonstrates the breadth and lasting value of our activities, WISH is not just an annual summit but a living, dynamic community with global reach using evidence-based research to make a real difference.
“This edition of Health Affairs will make our work accessible and readily available to healthcare professionals across the world.”
Weil said: “Policymakers in the US and the rest of the world are facing complex health challenges, from rising incidences of cancer to increasing antimicrobial resistance.
“To ensure that public policy is effective in addressing and solving these problems, evidence, research and analysis must play a central role.
“The research papers being published this month inspired by the WISH and discussed here, cover 1- global healthcare issues and bring together international experts and evidence from across the world. We believe the global perspective on the issues will provide policymakers in the US and beyond with a unique and significant resource of high quality research and information.”
WISH’s special contribution to the latest issue reflects its prominent role in bringing together leading innovators in healthcare policy, research and industry, and providing evidence-based research to address global health challenges.
The second WISH Summit will be held in Doha on February 17-18 next year. For details, visit www.wish.org.qa
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