The State of Qatar has reinforced its role as a global center for healthcare innovation and dialogue, according to Dr. Slim Slama, CEO of the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH). The initiative, part of the Qatar Foundation, positions Doha not merely as a venue for discussion but as a platform driving international action and the formulation of practical solutions to critical global health challenges.
In an interview, Dr. Slama outlined plans for the eighth edition of the summit, set to take place on November 29–30 under the theme “The New Health Span.” The event will focus on five key pillars designed to address pressing issues in healthcare: The Longevity Dividend, Financing the Cure, AI and Human-Centred Health, Future of Fertility, and Health Diplomacy 2.0. These themes aim to generate actionable policy insights and recommendations for decision-makers worldwide.
Dr. Slama emphasized the summit’s commitment to translating scientific progress into improvements in human health and dignity. The research agenda this year concentrates on four main areas. The Longevity Dividend explores how advances in aging research can support longer, healthier lives. Financing the Cure examines sustainable and equitable methods for funding advanced therapies, such as gene treatments, to ensure broad accessibility. AI and Human-Centred Health focus on the responsible integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare, including governance, safety, and accountability. The Future of Fertility addresses evolving reproductive technologies alongside their ethical and legal implications in light of rapid scientific advancements.
Demographic shifts, including aging populations and the prevalence of chronic diseases, coupled with persistent healthcare disparities, continue to challenge systems worldwide. Dr. Slama noted that the summit seeks to provide practical solutions to these issues, with an emphasis on enhancing health span—that is, the length of time people live in good health and with high quality of life.
The upcoming event will also spotlight innovations that improve healthcare delivery while maintaining patient-centered approaches. The AI and Human-Centred Health theme will cover topics such as the use of AI in primary care and the establishment of governance frameworks to ensure responsible deployment of digital health tools.
Strategic cooperation remains central to WISH’s mission. Dr. Slama highlighted ongoing partnerships with prominent international organizations such as the World Health Organization, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the University of Tokyo, as well as Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health and the Primary Health Care Corporation. A newly announced collaboration with the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council will introduce an Innovation Exhibition during the summit, showcasing practical applications of AI and digital health technologies addressing complex healthcare challenges.
The conference is expected to draw a diverse group of participants, including representatives from governments, healthcare institutions, research centers, and policymaking bodies. Dr. Slama noted that this international participation reflects the inherently cross-border nature of contemporary health challenges.
Over its previous seven editions, WISH has grown into a summit with extensive global reach, establishing research and policy networks linked to major hubs such as Geneva, New York, Nairobi, Cairo, and Manila. Dr. Slama concluded by underscoring that the summit’s ultimate success will be measured by tangible outcomes: research reports offering clear recommendations, policy discussions leading to actionable strategies, and the continued development of frameworks to address global healthcare issues.