The fifth World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), an initiative of Qatar Foundation (QF), kicked-off yesterday.

WISH 2020 is being held virtually this time in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the banner, ‘One World, Our Health,’ the summit seeks to catalyze collaborative action through dialogue and innovation toward creating a healthier world.

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), inaugurated the summit yesterday.

Her opening speech underlined the pivotal role of the healthcare sector. The "health" of every sector depends on the state of the healthcare sector, she pointed out.

"We should not have waited for a pandemic to assert how healthcare is central and important to the infrastructure of comprehensive development. We have witnessed this truth become more and more apparent throughout the world this year,” Sheikha Moza said.

"In the midst of these trying times brought on by the pandemic, WISH is convening this year to elevate our sense of collective responsibility and unite the world as one - To work together, to share knowledge, to contain this pandemic and to minimize the damage until it is possible for scientists and researchers to restore the health and safety of people everywhere,” she added.

Recognizing the exceptional efforts and hard work of the healthcare workers and researchers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Sheikha Moza said, "I salute healthcare workers in Qatar, and globally, for their tremendous efforts in fighting this pandemic, protecting lives, and tirelessly striving to create a better, healthier world.”

“Our youth should exemplify and emulate them in their altruism, dedication and involvement in the health and research sectors,” she added.

The opening session also saw the attendance of the Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Minister of Public Health Her Excellency Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, Director of Public Health Department at Hamad Medical Corporation HE Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, and Chair of the National Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of the Infectious Diseases Division at Hamad Medical Corporation Dr Abdullatif Al Khal.

WISH 2020 will feature a wide range of live sessions in different formats, exploring vital subjects including COVID-19, the impact of climate change on health, and immunotherapy.

For more information regarding WISH2020, please visit 2020.wish.org.qa

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Cover and Inline Images Credit: Qatar Tribune