Post Dubai Congress
The biennial World Hospital Congress of the International Hospital Federation (IHF) is the unique forum for leaders of national representative organizations in the health care sector to share and exchange strategic knowledge, information and ideas in health systems management, finance and delivery. The 37th edition of the Congress was held 8-10 November in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the first city in the Middle East and North Africa region to host the biennial World Hospital Congress of the International Hospital Federation since its foundation in 1929.
The event, inaugurated by H.E. Khalid Al Sheikh, Deputy Director General of the Dubai Health Authority at the Atlantis Hotel in Palm Jumeirah, was attended by officials from different member countries of the International Hospital Federation, in addition to CEOs and directors of national and international hospitals and health care organizations. Of the 30 scientific sessions, there were presentations from leading international figures in the frontline of shaping health care delivery policies and on the latest developments and challenges in providing health care to their populations.
The Congress was also a great opportunity for those present to learn about new services and products by visiting a very well set up exhibition space where innovative companies presented their latest services.
In addition both the social events and the venue of the congress were very supportive for active networking among the participants from around 70 countries.
This congress was also a good example of international support to developing nations with sponsored delegations from:
- Malawi by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (Germany)
- Uganda by the African Development Bank, and
- Burkina Faso by the Government of Taiwan.
There was significant interaction between our corporate partners (full list on www.ihf-fih.org) and IHF members as well as some interesting side meetings like the one set up by the Group Purchasing organization, an established dedicated chapter of the IHF.
The event which has been praised as highly successful in terms of organization and quality of scientific programme will certainly provide a high level benchmark for future IHF events. Among the topics discussed were Delivery of Effective Care Through Better Global Governance, Hospitals in Pursuit of Excellence, Private Public Partnership: Dubai Health Authority Experience, Innovation: Promoting New Partnerships, Specific missions of university hospitals.
The full programme and presentations are available at: http://www.ihf-fih.org/IHF-Events/Past-Events/37th-World-Hospital-Congress-Dubai-UAE.
You may also visit the Congress Photo Gallery at: http://ihfdubai.ae/Photo_Gallery/index.html
For those of you who attended the event we trust you will become advocates for the 38th Congress ( http://www.oslo2013.no) that will be held in Oslo in June 18-20, 2013.