Experts call for urgent action to tackle health challenges

Doha (Qatar): Amid spread of deadly diseases like Ebola, reduction in budgets and fluid global borders, experts at a world health summit Tuesday called for urgent action to meet healthcare challenges.

The second two-day World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) which began here today stressed the need for investing in solutions that link health and education.

Amid spread of deadly diseases like Ebola, increase in cancer care costs and advancing diabetes, the summit aims to provide opportunity to around 1,000 participating leaders, policy makers and healthcare experts to discuss and identify solutions to several of these "urgent" global health challenges.

"We cannot overcome our healthcare challenges unless we begin to invest in solutions that link health and education, as they are intrinsically connected. Innovation in education leads us to innovation in health. It is our wish to promote the causes of both access to basic primary education and universal health coverage," said Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation and Founder of WISH.

She praised the research teams for their commitment to uncovering vital new solutions to some of the world's biggest health crises.

Noting that the summit helps change global health reality towards achieving a greater ambition of providing quality health coverage for all, she said that healthcare and healthcare access is at the heart of human rights.

During the summit, eight major reports will be published, examining research and case studies from around the world to providing new leanings and solutions to diverse and widespread health challenges.

WISH is also showcasing some of the newest and most ground-breaking health innovations from around the world including virtual surgery, 3D-printed prosthetics and mobile apps.

"In the face of growing health concerns, reducing budgets and increasingly fluid global borders, we face a crossroads in world health that presents a unique dilemma for us all," said Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham and WISH executive chair.

"We must act urgently to share our experiences, combine our insights and progress solutions together. Only through collaboration can we be sure to find the right answers and only with innovation can we deliver the outcomes needed," he said, adding that WISH provides the platform for such an action.

WISH, whose inaugural summit took place in 2013, is a global healthcare community dedicated to capturing and disseminating the best evidence-based ideas and practices. It is an initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.