Experts discuss global challenges in healthcare

The first day of the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) 2016 saw healthcare experts from across the globe discussing a number of healthcare challenges that face the global community.
The inaugural session of the two-day summit being held at the Qatar National Convention Centre, witnessed HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development highlighting the importance of ‘customised medicine’ and how it can help in diagnosing and treating diseases individually.
Later, HH Sheikha Moza also toured the exhibition that showcases  several healthcare innovations as part of the summit.
The summit yesterday was attended by a large number of luminaries from around the world including Princess Lalla Salma, chairperson of Lalla Salma Foundation for Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Morocco and Princess Ghida bint Talal, chairperson of the board of trustees of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation, Jordan.
HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, vice chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, Prof the Lord Ara Darzi, executive chair of WISH and several other leaders in healthcare were also present at the inaugural session.
“WISH is a global conference and a global community,” said Lord Darzi at the opening session of the summit. “Around the world our health systems face enormous challenges. WISH shows how we must act responsibly when pushing the limits of science so that we never lose sight of what is right in the face of what is possible. The need for innovation has become greater as well as the opportunity to work together. WISH brings the world to Qatar and Qatar to the world.”
Giving the keynote address at the opening session, Prof Dame Sally C Davies, chief medical officer, England highlighted how antimicrobial resistance threatens the effective prevention and treatment of a number of infections.
She also stressed on several measures such as appropriate use of medicines and reducing the excess use of it to overcome the problems.
The first day had several panel discussions on WISH research reports on some of the pressing challenges in healthcare.They included autism, precision medicine, health professional education, accountable care, behavioural insights and genomics in the Gulf region and Islamic ethics.The summit will end today.