Global healthcare leaders convene in Rio for 47th World Hospital Congress
The annual gathering brings together over 1,250 delegates from 65 countries to address pressing challenges in hospital management and healthcare delivery.
Dr Muna Tahlak, IHF President and President and CEO of Latifa Hospital in Dubai, speaks at the opening ceremony of the 47th World Hospital Congress in Rio de Janeiro.
The 47th World Hospital Congress opened its doors in Rio de Janeiro on 10 September 2024, welcoming healthcare leaders and decision-makers from around the globe. The three-day event, organised by the International Hospital Federation (IHF), serves as a premier forum for knowledge exchange, innovation sharing, and networking among senior executives in the international healthcare community.
Addressing contemporary healthcare leadership
Dr Muna Tahlak, IHF President and President and CEO of Latifa Hospital in Dubai, set the tone for the congress by highlighting the importance of international collaboration in transforming local healthcare delivery. She posed thought-provoking questions to the attendees: “What does it mean to be a contemporary healthcare leader? What does it demand of us? And how can we excel at it?”
Dr Tahlak emphasised the power of the IHF’s international network in fostering continuous learning and improvement. “The needs of the communities that we serve vary greatly, but as leaders we have much in common,” she noted. “So, we come together at Congress to rise to our shared challenges together.”
Brazilian perspective on healthcare challenges
Dr Adelvânio F. Morato, President of the Brazilian Hospital Federation (FBH), echoed the sentiment of unity and collaboration. He stressed the importance of prioritising research, knowledge, and professional development to strengthen the sector’s ability to face crises and challenges.
Dr Daniel Soranz, Municipal Health Secretary of Rio, provided local context, highlighting that one in four Brazilians has a health plan. He called for a shift towards stakeholder health, moving away from a shareholder-focused system. “The only purpose must be access to quality care and sustainability in the sector,” Dr Soranz asserted.
Innovation and sustainability in health regulation
Mrs Meiruze Freitas, Director at the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA), addressed the crucial role of innovation and sustainability in the future of health regulation and surveillance. She emphasised the need to transform regulatory challenges into opportunities for innovation, with a focus on patient needs and environmental sustainability.
“We live in an era where AI affects decision making and it is necessary to maximize data quality,” Mrs Freitas stated. She also highlighted the importance of reducing the carbon footprint in healthcare innovations.
Human-centred healthcare
Caio Antonio Mello Souza, Subsecretary of the State of Rio de Janeiro for Health, reminded delegates of the human element in healthcare delivery. Reflecting on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, he shared Rio de Janeiro’s creation of the Health Intelligence Centre, the largest of its kind in Latin America.
“Our motto is: health is made up of people who take care of other people,” Souza emphasised. “The human being is the biggest and best tool that we can improve and use.”
Congress programme and future events
The 47th World Hospital Congress features an extensive programme, including:
- 40+ plenary and parallel sessions
- Over 250 renowned speakers
- 200+ poster presentations
- An Innovation Hub showcasing 27 solutions to healthcare challenges
- Industry exhibitors
- The IHF Awards 2024 Ceremony and Gala Dinner
- Guided hospital visits in Rio de Janeiro and São Paolo
The event also pays tribute to healthcare workers, particularly those responding to the disaster affecting over 2 million people in southern Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul region in 2024.
Looking ahead, the IHF announced that the 48th World Hospital Congress will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 10 to 13 November 2025, in collaboration with Geneva University Hospitals and the Canton of Geneva.
