Well-managed hospitals improve health outcomes for everyone, everywhere.

Become a member

Knowledge. 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.

The 46th IHF World Hospital Congress was co-hosted by the IHF and the Portuguese Consortium. Around 1400 delegates from 91 countries gathered from 25 to 27 October 2023 at the Lisbon Congress Centre in Portugal to connect around global learning, local action.

Who we are

Our members

We connect over 140 organizations around the world.

140+

Members

25,000+

Hospitals

60+

Countries

What our members say

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What our members say

HE Dr Ahmed El-Sobky

Chairman, Egypt Healthcare Authority (IHF Full Member)

As the Egypt Healthcare Authority, we carry the immense hopes and dreams of millions of Egyptians within our hearts. Our ultimate goal to achieve universal health coverage and improve lives is a testament to our unwavering dedication and belief in the power of healthcare.

The IHF has been our guiding light throughout this transformative journey. Their support and expertise have been instrumental in our progress. Through their global network of healthcare leaders, we have found solace in the fact that we are not alone in our pursuit. We have discovered a community of like-minded individuals who share our vision, commitment, and burning passion to make a difference.

Together with the IHF, we have embarked on an incredible path of collaboration, sharing ideas, and learning from best practices. The stories of triumph and resilience from healthcare providers worldwide have left an indelible mark on our hearts.

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.

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Leadership development

Dedicated groups for association leaders, and women in leadership, a development programme for young executives, and a leadership competencies framework.

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Outreach 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.

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Geneva Sustainability Centre

Driving net zero, climate resilient, and sustainable health systems: supporting hospitals to become leaders for sustainability in their communities.

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Highlights

Call for Abstracts: World Hospital Congress 2024

The 47th World Hospital Congress will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 10-12 September 2024.
The Brazilian Hospital Federation (FBH) won the bid to host the event in Rio. The Congress will bring together hospital leaders and healthcare delivery executives to connect around global learning for local action.
Executives, managers, professionals, and providers working in hospitals, health facilities, government settings, academes, research institutions, and NGOs who have compelling work to share with the international healthcare community are invited to submit their abstracts to the Scientific Committee for consideration.
The Call for Abstracts launched on 27 October 2023 with a deadline of 9 February 2024.

Full abstract submission guidelines

Statement on violence against hospitals and healthcare workers

We are extremely concerned by the escalation of armed violence undermining the safety of Palestinian and Israeli healthcare workers, patients, and hospitals.
We strongly reiterate our position: hospitals, healthcare workers, patients, and ambulances should not and should never be a target! No matter the context. No matter the reasons. It is a violation of international humanitarian law, and we firmly stand against it.
We join other international organizations by calling on all parties to respect the rights and safety of healthcare professionals and facilities.

Winners announced for IHF Awards 2023

The IHF has announced the winners of the IHF Awards 2023 after scoring entries in all 7 Award categories. This year, more than 500 entries were submitted by hospitals and healthcare organizations from 43 countries and territories – a record number since the Awards commenced in 2015.
In 2023, a total of 69 finalists were shortlisted across 7 IHF Awards categories, from which the Gold, Silver and Bronze awards were presented on 26 October, as well as honourable mentions to other exceptional entries in each category.

Full list of winners of IHF Awards 2023

Rio 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 Rio

Concern 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 work

Building 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.

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Building an inclusive workplace_in the spotlight

Is 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

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Cyberattack_in the spotlight

Addressing 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.

IHF Statement on Sustainability

News and insights

Catch up on the latest…

IHF at WHO workshop: Fit-for-purpose hospitals

From 31 October to 2 November, the IHF and Geneva Sustainability Centre were among the partners and stakeholders who were...

IHF at WHO SEARO: 76th regional committee meeting

The 76th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia (SEARO) took place from 30 October to 2 November...

IHF at WHO workshop: Caring for those who care

At the WHO headquarters in Geneva on 20 November, the IHF participated in a workshop with key partners and stakeholders,...

Women in Leadership at Congress: Advancing gender equity in healthcare leadership

We were thrilled to welcome over 60 participants from 24 countries to our session at the 46th World Hospital Congress...