Outreach and partnerships

WHO RC for Africa 2026: Takeaways for healthcare leaders

From 24 to 28 August, the 76th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa convened 47 Member States, the African Union Commission, UNECA, ministers of health and delegates in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s fourth time hosting the session. The session opened with keynotes from Ethiopia’s Minister of Health and President, and covered health financing, workforce, digital health/AI, medical product regulation, early childhood development and the ongoing DRC Ebola response. The IHF was represented by Dr Toseef Din, IHF Governing Council Member (CEO, M.P. Shah Hospital, Nairobi) and Dr Joan Osoro, Chief Operating Officer, M.P. Shah Hospital.

IHF members at the WHA 2026: Advancing global dialogue in Geneva

The 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) took place from 18 to 23 May 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme “Reshaping global health: a shared responsibility”. This year, we welcomed Jacco Vroegop (CEO and CMO, Horacio Oduber Hospital, Aruba), Dr Fawzi Al-Hammouri (Chairman, Private Hospitals Association, Jordan), and Rosa Vidal Álvarez (Economic Affairs Director, Catalan Hospital Association (La Unio), Spain) with the opportunity to attend the official programme of the WHA inside the Palais des Nations as well as many other side events organized by governments and non-State Actors.

Experiencing International Geneva during the World Hospital Congress 2025

In 2025 we continued to work in partnership with organizations in the International Geneva ecosystem, including our longstanding partner the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). We focused on ICRC’s “Digital Emblem” project, which aims to ensure that digital health services and networks are visibly protected in cyberspace, just as hospitals are protected on the ground. We organized our annual International Geneva event at the ICRC, the most iconic institution and the founding organization of “International Geneva” in 1863.

Korea–Africa Healthcare Summit builds partnerships and cooperation

On 17 September 2025, as part of this year’s K-HOSPITAL + HEALTHTECH FAIR (KHF 2025), IHF Member the Korean Hospital Association (KHA) hosted a special summit with senior health officials and hospital executives from African nations. Seven delegates from five IHF Member organizations participated, along with African ambassadors to Korea and hospital directors from Korea.

Violence against healthcare must end

Health systems can only function when both workforces and facilities are secure and protected. In the first six months of 2025, the WHO’s Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care recorded 671 attacks on healthcare in 15 different countries, resulting in 560 injuries and 1104 deaths. The nature of attacks varies greatly, with the impact affecting the healthcare workforce, patients, infrastructure, and supplies, all of which are subject to persistent acts of violence in all regions of the world.

New principle on use of AI in healthcare

The IHF is one of six leading international organizations representing patients, physicians, pharmacists, nurses, hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry to have adopted the first joint ethical principle in the healthcare industry on the responsible use of health data and technology, including artificial intelligence.

IHF champions safe maternity care at the 78th World Health Assembly

At the 78th World Health Assembly, the IHF reaffirmed its commitment to safe maternity care. As global leaders convened to address the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, the IHF highlighted the critical role hospital and healthcare leaders play in improving maternal health outcomes.

The IHF submitted an Individual Statement on safe maternity care, which was accepted by WHO for inclusion among Statements by non-State actors in official relations. We are proud that our Senior Partnerships and Programme Manager, Sara Perazzi, addressed the Assembly on 26 May to advocate for safe maternity care.

Representing the voice of the IHF at OECD working meetings

On 6-7 May, representing the IHF network, Nicola Pinelli (FIASO, Italy) participated in the OECD Health Committee Working Party on healthcare quality and outcomes. Topics included gender and health, long-term care, dementia and integrated care, cardiovascular health, diagnostic safety, and hospital planning for health care quality.

Hospital leadership workshop with the ICRC

In November 2024, the IHF and Geneva Sustainability Centre delivered a workshop to hospital managers at the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva, Switzerland. The workshop took place during a week-long training intensive for leaders managing hospitals in some of the most difficult places on earth. Participants learned about the IHF Leadership Model, as well as the impact of healthcare on climate change and, through CELL, some of the practical steps that can be taken to reduce emissions whilst maintaining excellent patient care in difficult circumstances.

HCAC and the GSC collaborate for sustainability leadership in Jordan

On 25 September 2024, during ISQua’s 40th International Conference taking place in Istanbul, Turkey, both organizations entered into a Collaboration Agreement to support sustainability leadership in HCAC’s healthcare network. The IHF and its Geneva Sustainability Centre are honoured to support HCAC, an IHF Full Member since 2020, on its journey to raise awareness and act upon climate change through the capacity building of its hospital leaders.

Portuguese hospital administration study visit to Norway 2024

Two IHF Full Members partnered in September 2024 to organize a hospital administration study visit to explore the Norwegian healthcare system.
A group of 47 Portuguese participants, mostly students of Hospital Administration Course, contributed to the co-creation of the scientific programme for the study visit. Several active hospital administrators from across the country, from north to south, also participated. The purpose of the visit was to understand hospital management practices and explore innovations within the Norwegian healthcare system, fostering the exchange of best practices between Portugal and Norway. 

A call for equitable healthcare in the Western Pacific

7 April is World Health Day, and the theme for 2024 was ‘My health, my right’. Dr Ian Kennet Bermeo, Vice President for Operations of Adventist Medical Center, Manila, participated in the WHO Western Pacific Region celebration on behalf of the IHF and the Philippine Hospital Association and shared his reflections on the experience. The World Health Day 2024 not only highlighted the pressing health issues of our time but also set the stage for an era of increased collaboration and innovation in the hospital industry. Through the combined efforts of the WHO, IHF, PHA, and other stakeholders, the vision of equitable health for all in the Western Pacific is not just a distant dream but a tangible goal within reach should we work efficiently in synergy.

Technical cooperation agreement on hospital management transformation in PAHO region

The IHF and the Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office of the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) have entered into a technical cooperation agreement on hospital management transformation.

The joint-working initiatives with PAHO/WHO will focus on three core aims: supporting the development of hospital management competencies in the Americas; shaping the future of hospital management, systems, and processes; and leading the transformation to net zero, climate resilient and sustainable healthcare.

Designing the hospital of the future

A primary healthcare oriented health system is the cornerstone for achieving universal healthcare (UHC) and it requires the involvement of all stakeholders to reimagine the role of hospitals and how they will operate in this new landscape. The IHF works very closely with international partners, including the WHO, to advance this discussion.

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.

The IHF stands with hospitals during conflict

Attacks on hospitals, healthcare workers, and ambulances are not acceptable. No matter the context. No matter the reasons. It is a violation of International Humanitarian Law, and we firmly stand against it.

Carbon challenge of healthcare: IHF partners in action

At the 45th World Hospital Congress, an IHF partners' workshop focused on net zero, climate resilient, and sustainable healthcare. Attendees learned and exchanged on concrete ways of delivering net zero in a hospital or healthcare setting.
This tabletop exercise was led by The Joint Commission, and chaired by their President and CEO, Dr Jonathan B. Perlin. Invited participants came from IHF partner organizations including the World Economic Forum, WONCA and ISQua.

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.

The role of national hospital associations in health system governance before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Findings from an exploratory online survey; a collaboration between the IHF and World Health Organization