Well-managed hospitals improve health outcomes for everyone, everywhere.
Become a memberKnowledge. Interaction. Ambition.
Through our members, we are the voice of hospitals and health systems on the global stage.
We connect healthcare leaders, supporting them to excel through training and development. We create forums for international, peer to peer knowledge exchange. Our events, programmes, and special interest groups showcase good practices. We work in partnership with international organizations on key issues for our members.
Who we areOur members
We connect over 130 organizations around the world.
130+
Members
25,000+
Hospitals
60+
Countries
German Hospital Federation (DKGEV)
Federation of national and state associations of hospital owners – the representative organ of all German hospitals.
Colombian Association of Hospitals (ACHC)
A non-profit organization promoting the technical and administrative strengthening of affiliated institutions.
Korean Hospital Association (KHA)
Medical development, public health, the improvement of hospital systems and management through research, education, and training of all medical personnel.
Japan Hospital Association (JHA)
Membership organization for all national hospital management organizations in Japan, which defines the code of conduct for hospitals and hospital workers.
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) Mayo Clinic, UAE
In partnership with Mayo Clinic, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City in Abu Dhabi aims to be the preferred Destination Medical Center for serious, complex and rare diseases.
Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS)
Responsible for supervising and evaluating training programmes, as well as setting controls and standards for the practice of health professions.
Australian Healthcare and Hospital Association (AHHA)
Australia’s national peak body for public and not-for-profit hospitals and healthcare providers.
H+ Swiss Hospitals
National organization of public and private hospitals, clinics and care institutions, representing the health policy interests of its members at national level.
University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
A major centre for clinical research and the home of some of the top medical programs in the USA.
Manila Doctors Hospital, Philippines
A tertiary hospital located in Ermita, Manila, Philippines with over 500 beds.
Baines Intercare Medical Centre, Zimbabwe
Private medical centre in Zimbabwe, committed to developing and delivering next generation, consumer driven healthcare.
Department of Health of South Africa
Responsible for primary healthcare, health facilities and regulations nationally.
Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Belgium
Non-profit academic hospital of the University of Louvain, located in Brussels, Belgium. Four core missions: patient care, education, research, and offering expertise.
Portuguese Association for Hospital Development (APDH)
Established in 2002, APDH is a non-profit association, with individual and collective membership.
Joint Commission International (JCI)
Independent, not-for-profit organization providing accreditation and certification of healthcare organizations and programmes worldwide to ensure quality of care and patient safety.
Private Hospital Association Jordan
A voluntary, non-profit organization whose membership comprises private hospitals and medical centres in Jordan.
What our members say
What our members say
Paul – Émile Cloutier
President and CEO, HealthCareCAN (IHF Full Member)
HealthCareCAN deeply values its relationship with the IHF, and it is our view that global cooperation and partnerships are a vital component of Canada’s success. Our membership in the IHF for the past seven years has provided our members with international perspectives that have helped drive innovation and excellence in Canada’s health system.
Dr Steve Ueng
President, Taiwan Hospital Association (IHF Full Member)
The Taiwan Hospital Association joined the IHF as a full member in 1970. We are delighted that the IHF provides its members with a platform for knowledge exchange and networking with different actors in the health sector to improve the standard, quality, and level of service delivery.
Matthew Taylor
CEO, NHS Confederation (IHF Full Member)
The greatest strength of IHF membership for us over the last five years has been our ability to connect with leaders across the IHF community, to share our mutual experiences, insights, and expertise. Our collaboration with the IHF has helped us share international best practice with our members as they contend with the mutual challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Simon Tang
Director (Cluster Services), Hong Kong Hospital Authority (IHF Full Member)
As part of the IHF community throughout the years, our staff members have been offered valuable opportunities in knowledge and strategies exchange, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The role of the IHF will become more and more important amid the challenges of chronic illnesses and aging population faced by various hospitals and healthcare associations around the world. We are confident that the IHF will lead us to tackle these challenges ahead.
Want to become a member?
Join our global network – sharing commitment to improve the level, quality, and sustainability of healthcare service delivery.
What we do
Connect internationally
We provide our members with a platform for knowledge exchange and networking with different actors in the health sector. Motivated by a shared commitment to well-managed hospitals, our members act together to improve the standard, quality, and level of healthcare service delivery.
Knowledge exchange
Connect at the annual World Hospital Congress, virtual events, and study tours. Special interest groups focus on the key issues for today’s hospital managers. Annual IHF Awards recognize and share good practice.
Find out moreLeadership development
Dedicated groups for association leaders, and women in leadership, a development programme for young executives, and a leadership competencies framework.
Find out moreOutreach and partnerships
Advocacy and international collaborations help us to carry out our work more effectively and find creative solutions to support our members facing a variety of challenges.
Find out moreGeneva Sustainability Centre
Driving net zero, climate resilient, and sustainable health systems: supporting hospitals to become leaders for sustainability in their communities.
Find out moreHighlights
Maximize your World Hospital Congress with a pre-or post-congress activity
Leaders in healthcare around the world are turning their attention to sustainability, climate resilience, and net-zero carbon emissions. Recent research estimates that the healthcare sector is responsible for over 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Hospital and healthcare leaders need to drive sustainable transformation at leadership, management, and institutional levels.
Now is the time to add the latest essential leadership competency to your skillset with a masterclass designed specifically for hospital and healthcare executives, delivered by the IHF’s Geneva Sustainability Centre in Portuguese (23 October) and English (24 October).
Save your seat at the masterclassRio de Janeiro will host the 47th World Hospital Congress in 2024
The 47th World Hospital Congress will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in September 2024.
The World Hospital Congress brings together hospital leaders and healthcare delivery executives to connect around global learning for local action. This Congress is a forum to exchange best practices in leadership and management of healthcare delivery. Annually, the World Hospital Congress attracts over 1200 participants from around 60 countries.
Press release: 47th World Hospital Congress in RioNew hub for innovation comes to World Hospital Congress 2023
New for 2023 – the IHF’s i-to-i Innovation Hub will make its debut in the programme at the 46th World Hospital Congress in Lisbon.
The Hub will showcase products demonstrating innovating approaches to healthcare delivery. The theme for 2023 is the “delivery of hospital care outside of the hospital setting”.
The Hub is presented in collaboration with the UK Department for Business and Trade, and Stanford Medicine.
Applications to showcase an innovation at the Hub are accepted until Tuesday 20 June.
Apply to take part in the HubConcern for safety of healthcare in Sudan
Recent reports of attacks on healthcare facilities in Sudan are deeply concerning. Health facilities and their workers are never to be targeted during armed conflicts. Attacks on hospitals, healthcare workers, and ambulances are not acceptable – no matter the context, no matter the reason. We stand with our partners, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), in asking that international humanitarian law be respected. Healthcare is #NotATarget.
More about our advocacy and partnership work2023 World Hospital Congress: Take advantage of early bird registration
Registration is now open! Join us from 25 to 27 October - and don't miss the pre-congress activities on 23 and 24 October.
The scientific programme, masterclasses, workshops, and networking events create unparalleled opportunities to explore current issues and cutting-edge innovations with global hospital managers.
Take advantage of exclusive early bird rates by booking now. IHF members also benefit from special membership discounts. Discounts are available for those coming from low and lower-middle-income countries, and groups of 5 or more.
The deadline for the IHF Awards call for entries is now extended until 30 June
Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your achievements to the global healthcare community and to give your workforce the recognition they deserve. The deadline for entries is now extended to 30 June, so don't delay – start your entries today.
Entries can be submitted in 7 award categories:
> Dr Kwang Tae Kim Grand Hospital Award
> Seddiqi Holding Excellence Award for Corporate Social Responsibility
> Ashikaga-Nikken Excellence Award for Green Hospitals
> Sultanate of Oman Excellence Award for Health Services During Crisis
> American Hospital Association Excellence Award for Healthcare Workers' Wellbeing
> American College of Healthcare Executives Excellence Award for Leadership and Management
> Austco Excellence Award for Quality & Patient Safety
Discussing sustainable healthcare with Dr Tedros at the WHO
On Friday 2 December 2022 at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters, the need to support hospitals to be more resilient and sustainable was the subject of discussion in a meeting between the IHF, Geneva Sustainability Centre, University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) and the WHO.
Find out moreIHF Awards 2022
The winners of the IHF Awards 2022 were presented at the Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner on 10 November at the 45th World Hospital Congress in Dubai (UAE). A total of 63 finalists were shortlisted across 7 categories, from which the Gold, Silver and Bronze awards were given, as well as honourable mentions to other exceptional entries in each category.
Find out moreBuilding a more equitable, inclusive workplace
On 1 September 2022, the International Hospital Federation’s Women in Leadership Forum hosted a webinar in collaboration with Global Alumni: Turning challenges into leadership opportunities. In this exchange on the issues female healthcare leaders face, the panel of speakers shared personal experiences and practical advice.
Find out moreIs your hospital prepared for a cyberattack?
If your hospital is targeted, it’s more than data at risk – the reputational consequences can lead to a damaging loss of trust. The IHF’s Harnessing Big Data Special Interest Group hosted a session in collaboration with Vizient, Inc. focused on helping CEOs and C-suite executives prepare effective communications strategies to minimize the negative impacts of a cyberattack
Find out moreAddressing climate change as an integral part of healthcare delivery
We join our voice with those recognizing the impact of the healthcare sector on the environment and human health. We equally recognize that good leadership is paramount to drive the organizational changes which will generate positive impact for the generations to come.
This statement illustrates the conviction of IHF Members that every hospital and healthcare organization has a role to play in its community in addressing the sustainability challenges. We also consider it as the starting point of our long-term engagement to take action on climate change.
Through our newly established Geneva Sustainability Centre, we are committed to responding to your needs and to equipping current and future hospital leaders with the required information, tools and skills.