On the sidelines of the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA77) taking place from 27 May to 1 June 2024 in Geneva (Switzerland), IAPO and The Synergist will jointly host the Side Event:

Date: 27 May 2024

Time: 6:30 pm - 8 pm CEST. Welcome drinks from 6 pm to 6:30 pm and dinner from 8 pm to 9 pm CEST.

Venue: Novotel Genève Centre (Rue de Zurich 19, 1201, Geneva, Switzerland).

This event will also be broadcast on IAPO's YouTube page.

Register here

We're at a pivotal moment for the global patient community, with significant strides in patient engagement within health systems. The WHO's Handbook on Social Participation for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and commitments from Member States to institutionalize social participation highlight this progress. Additionally, efforts to adopt a resolution on social participation at the 77th WHA underscore the momentum towards advancing the patient partnership agenda. This convergence of initiatives presents a unique opportunity for patient organizations to solidify their role as valued partners in global health.

Recent global efforts have provided a platform for patient organizations to advocate for meaningful inclusion in policy development and service improvement efforts. The launch of the “Framework for Meaningful Engagement of Individuals Living with NCDs, Mental Health, and Neurological Conditions” by the WHO underscores the importance of incorporating patient perspectives. This presents an opportunity for patient organizations to drive transformative change by ensuring that policies and services are responsive to the unique needs and preferences of the communities they serve.

In January 2024, the WHO Executive Board decided to recommend to the 77th WHA the adoption of a resolution drafted by the governments of Brazil, Colombia, Croatia, Ecuador, Finland, France, Guatemala, Norway, Qatar, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tunisia and the United States of America, which proposes institutionalising social participation to accelerate progress towards UHC and the SDGs by 2030. If adopted, this political agreement will create the environment for the WHO to develop guidelines for its Member States on how to create effective mechanisms for social participation in health systems.

In light of these developments, patient organizations stand poised to contribute significantly to the advancement of global health. By advocating for the meaningful inclusion of patient perspectives and experiences, they can drive positive change across the entire policy cycle. This represents a crucial opportunity for patient organizations to further solidify their role as key stakeholders in shaping the future of healthcare.

The Side Event “Leveraging patient organizations as key partners in the delivery of Universal Health Coverage” also aims to inspire the patient community and other health stakeholders to join forces and garner political endorsement for the resolution, thereby augmenting its prospects for adoption by Member States at the WHA in May 2024.

The event will be broadcast via IAPO YouTube channel to reach a wider audience around the world, and all content of the Side Event will be captured live by a graphic facilitator – attendees and online viewers will be able to follow the drawings being created in real time.

Event speakers include:

• Dani Mothci, CEO, IAPO (moderator)

• Amanda Bok, Chief Strategy Officer, The Synergist (moderator)

• Justin Koonin, President, ACON - Australia & Adjunct Associate Professor, Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales & Distinguished Fellow and Honorary Professorial Fellow, The George Institute for Global Health

• Pamela Cipriano, Steering Committee Co-Chair, UHC2030

• Lara Bloom, President and CEO, The Ehlers-Danlos Society

• Brian O’Mahony, CEO, Irish Haemophilia Society

• Mark Barone, Founder and General Manager, FórumCCNTs (Brazil)

• Antoine Boivin, MD PhD, Co-director, Canada Research Chair in Partnership with Patients and Communities & Associate Professor of Family Medicine, University of Montreal & Physician, Notre-Dame Family Medicine Group

See speakers and moderators' biographies