The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), a global initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), previewed research and findings on global healthcare issues ahead of the 2015 Summit under the guidance of its forum chairs today (November 3).

The initiative has announced a special panel on ‘Healthcare and Ethics’ in partnership with the Research Centre for Islamic Legislation and Ethics (CILE) a centre of the Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies (QFIS) in the Hamad Bin Khalifa University, in addition to the seven new research forums.

Although Genomic Medicine raises complex ethical and religious issues, the potential it holds for future healthcare is immense, said a statement.

The ‘Qatar Genome Project’ was unveiled at the inaugural summit last year by Sheikha Moza bin Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation and founder of WISH, with ‘Genome Medicine’ currently being one of Qatar’s national priorities.

Saad Al Muhannadi, president of Qatar Foundation, said: “Qatar Foundation is proud to have established WISH, which aims to ensure impactful outcomes in healthcare innovation in Qatar, the region and beyond.

“The second summit in 2015 will be crucial for the progression of collaborative action focused on innovative methods to solve today’s global healthcare issues. Central to this is the scope and influence of the unprecedented forum reports, a testament of the international collaboration at the heart of WISH’s mission.”

Professor The Lord Darzi of Denham, executive chair of WISH and director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College of London, added: “Today’s workshops are just the tip of the iceberg of the potential in each of our research forums. With sustained commitment and global collaboration, we can work together to find global solutions to healthcare issues affecting every country. I am truly excited by the work being done and believe the resulting reports will be a valuable asset for policy makers, thought leaders and governments around the world.”

WISH is a vital part of Qatar’s evolution from a carbon economy to a knowledge-based economy and aims to diffuse healthcare technology through a global community of experts, said the statement.

Through WISH, Qatar Foundation is supporting Qatar’s pioneering role as an emerging centre for healthcare innovation and is closely aligned to the vision of Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, it added. - TradeArabia News Service