The World Health Summit (WHS) is an annual event that brings together global health experts, policymakers, and organisations to address some of the most pressing health challenges. I was one of the selected candidates to attend the WHS 2023 as a representative the Global Health Next Generation Network (GHNGH), and I had the privilege of engaging in meaningful discussions that left a lasting impact. From the alarming statistics to the transformative ideas, the World Health Summit underscored the imperative need for collaborative action and innovative approaches in tackling health challenges worldwide.
Do you think the topics were relevant and representative of the current global health problems? Did you miss anything important?
The WHS serves as a forum for the discussion of global health priorities. Had this conference taken place in the 1990s, the central focus might have revolved around different issues, with AIDS taking precedence on the political agenda. Nowadays, the current global health priorities are intricately tied to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This entails discussions on how to effectively restructure and finance the systems that weakened during the pandemic. Additionally, there was significant emphasis on addressing the impact of climate change on human health. Amidst these priorities, discussions at the summit frequently highlighted the potential of digital technologies in promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing diseases, alongside the need of ensuring health equity through universal health coverage policies. I firmly believe that critical issues such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and malnutrition deserved greater attention at the summit. Moreover, a more comprehensive discussion on the social determinants of health and their role in perpetuating structural inequalities could have enriched the dialogue.
What was the most impacting thing you have learnt?
Despite the wealth of facts and statistics shared at WHS, several statistics stuck with me in particular. At a talk about immunisation for all ages, speakers highlighted the fact that only 2.8% of health spending is allocated for health prevention efforts, and this underscored the persistent struggle to prioritise preventive health measures. Additionally, Jorge Moreira da Silva of UNOPS shared that by 2030, 80% of people experiencing poverty will live in fragile zones, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions in these vulnerable regions.
Any point of view you did not agree with?
One of the most discussed topics at the conference was the need for sustainable health financing mechanisms. After the COVID-19 pandemic, international organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) are struggling to make ends meet—one key solution proposed by WHO to this problem is to increase private donations. I did not agree with the seemingly simplistic view that public and private stakeholders share identical global health objectives and, therefore, it is tolerable to accept donations from private donors. This raw simplification can lead to mistakes in the negotiations on how to build more resilient and well-funded public health systems.
Is there any piece of knowledge you found interesting or that could make an impact if the general public would know?
At the WHS talks, community-based and co-creation actions were placed as a key driver for effective and ethical health interventions. The Cancer City Challenge‘s commendable work in designing community-driven solutions exemplified the positive impact of this approach. I firmly believe that this approach represents a path ahead for global health, as the eventual outcomes will be significantly more successful, given their tailored focus on meeting the specific needs of the community. Moreover, I was very impressed that speakers shined on the youth as catalysts for change. At the conference itself, there was a large representation from youth networks, such as GHNGN, Youth Health Organization, International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation and International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations.
Was there anything that made you want to reflect on preconceived ideas you had?
The discourse surrounding the neo-colonialist nature of global health interventions has been a contentious topic for many years. However, the conference demonstrated at least a willingness to shift global health dynamics, with some speakers and participants openly addressing the shortcomings and complexities. For instance, at the meeting on the disconnect between evidence and policy implementation, a representative from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention exposed the critical need for a nuanced approach to global health initiatives, focusing on local relevance rather than externally mandated priorities by funding partners. This particular moment left me with a sense of optimism for the future of a decolonised approach to global health practice.
Is there any way you can apply in your daily life or in your community what you have learnt?
WHS talks were quite broad and global; however, I believe that between all the lines of global health diplomacy, there are small actionable steps that can be integrated into my daily life and within my community. The WHS echoed the need for more context-specific approaches to global health interventions. By leveraging the collective wisdom of diverse stakeholders and amplifying the voices of marginalised communities, we can pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable global health practice.
Silvia Grothe Riera
Silvia is a public policy consultant with a strong interest in public health and social policy. She has worked as a research consultant on various EU-funded projects with a focus on alcohol prevention and other projects on social determinants of health, and also has strong skills in research methods and cultural anthropology.
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