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.

Who we are

Our members

We connect over 130 organizations around the world.

130+

Members

25,000+

Hospitals

60+

Countries

What our members say

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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.

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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

IHF Awards 2023 now open for entries!

The IHF Awards return for 2023 to recognize the excellence and outstanding achievements of hospitals and health service providers demonstrated through their projects, programmes, or services.

Entries can now 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

More details and prepare your entry

Showcase your work in Lisbon this October

The 46th World Hospital Congress will provide thought leadership, knowledge exchange, and great examples to learn from effective local actions. Submit your abstract before 5 April for a chance to showcase your successful projects, programmes, models, and innovations in leadership to the international healthcare community.

This year we’re putting a spotlight on five tracks:
• Leaders successfully navigating the future
• Wellbeing and the future for our professionals
• Innovative approaches to providing healthcare
• The ever-expanding digital landscape
• Next-generation, climate-resilient and sustainable healthcare

Submit your abstract

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.

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IHF 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.

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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

Find out more
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…

Activity Report 2022

Activity reports summarize our activities, projects, and events as well as outcomes from our collaboration with other international organizations and...

Ideas to improve the sustainability of conferences

Conferences are great opportunities for knowledge exchange, learning and networking. However, they can also come with high costs for the...

Why does your organization need a Chief Sustainability Officer?

An important first step in your organization’s sustainability journey is to designate someone to lead these efforts. You may wonder,...

Abu Dhabi and Geneva Sustainability Centre join forces on healthcare sustainability

As part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023, on 18 January the Geneva Sustainability Centre signed a strategic memorandum of...