3 days ago
WISH hosts panel at Osaka expo to address attacks on health in armed conflict
OSAKA: The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), a Qatar Foundation's (QF) global healthcare initiative, discussed the escalating attacks on health amid armed conflict around the world, during a panel session held at the Qatar Pavilion in the Expo 2025 Osaka.
Titled 'Protecting Health in Armed Conflict', the panel brought together representatives from Medecins Sans Frontieres, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH).
The panel built on WISH's ongoing efforts to raise global awareness of attacks on health, following a recent official side event at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva and the release of a joint report on the issue by WISH and WHO. The discussion at the Osaka Expo is part of a broader WISH strategy to foster a coalition of organizations and experts committed to protecting health workers and facilities in conflict zones.
Speaking during the panel, CEO of WISH Dr Slim Slama said: "An attack on healthcare is an attack on the very foundation of humanity. Each strike not only destroys hospitals and endangers health workers, but also robs entire communities of safety, dignity, and hope. Protecting medical care in conflict is a legal and moral obligation - when we fail to act, we allow suffering to multiply and justice to fade."
Alongside Dr Slama, panelists included Medecins Sans Frontieres Advocacy Director Chika Suefuji; former WHO EMRO Regional Emergency Director Dr Rick Brennan; UNRWA Medical Director Dr Akihiro Seita, and International Committee of the Red Cross Head of Communications Hitomi Makabe. The discussion was moderated by WISH Director of Partnerships and Outreach Dr. Sunoor Verma.
In turn, UNRWA Medical Director DrAkihiro Seita emphasized the importance of safeguarding healthcare workers and facilities in conflict zones: "As a Japanese physician working with UNRWA in Gaza, I have witnessed health workers serve amid unimaginable danger. Their courage is a daily reminder that protecting healthcare is not only about medicine â€' it is about defending dignity, humanity, and hope. From Gaza to Osaka, we are united by a shared responsibility to stand against the erosion of these values."
Wrapping up the session, Dr Slama said: "Today's panel under the roof of Qatar Pavilion is a critical step in uniting the global health and humanitarian community to advocate for the protection of health in times of war. We call on all stakeholders to join this coalition and uphold international humanitarian law."
