Scaling evidence-based interventions and Innovations across pregnancy continuum for improved birth outcomes

Host : Gates Foundation, Global Health Strategies, WHO, UNICEF, ICMR, University of Birmingham

Description :

• Ending preventable maternal mortality is a key global and regional priority. Over the last decade, there have been efforts in strengthening platforms for Antenatal and Intrapartum Care as a part of country programs. However, while there has been an overall progress in the Southeast Asia region, progress within countries has been uneven. Newer evidence is available for some existing interventions for major causes for maternal mortality and there are opportunities to innovate further. Integration of these as a part of country programs will be an important area of focus.
• ANC contacts remain a priority and country programs exist in SEAR to improve these contacts for ensuring safe care during pregnancy and childbirth. The focus of ANC interventions in current context largely remains on birth preparedness and complication readiness for maternal outcomes. Newer evidence and interventions exist to strengthen the ANC care to improve maternal and outcomes during early infancy. This panel will discuss the available new evidence, potential opportunities for integration in Indian and other country guidelines, and future areas for research and context specific learning in local contexts.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Pathway to integration of latest evidence on maternal health innovations within country guidelines identified for the region.
2. Key research priorities for maternal health priority interventions identified for co-ordinated action.
3. Strengthened regional collaboration for tracking of intervention progress and integration of innovations as a part of maternal and neonatal health programs

Human Resources for Health: Quality with Compassion

Host : WHO SEARO and ADB

Description :

• Health systems are only as strong as the people who sustain them. The COVID-19 pandemic brought to the forefront the invaluable contributions and immense pressures faced by health workers across the globe. In the South-East Asia Region and beyond, investing in Human Resources for Health (HRH) is critical—not only to improve access and quality, but to ensure compassionate, people-centered care at every level.
• This session, Human Resources for Health: Quality with Compassion, will explore how countries can build a resilient, skilled, and empathetic health workforce capable of addressing current health needs while adapting to future challenges. The session will highlight that technical excellence alone is not enough—compassionate care is central to patient trust, provider satisfaction, and better health outcomes.
• Leaders in health workforce development, educators, frontline health workers, and policymakers will share insights on innovative approaches to recruitment, training, and retention that prioritize both clinical competence and emotional intelligence. Emphasis will be placed on the need to integrate compassion, communication, and cultural sensitivity into pre-service and in-service education, especially for community and primary health care providers.
• The panel will also address the gendered nature of the health workforce, the mental health and wellbeing of providers, and the importance of decent working conditions, recognition, and support systems to foster a culture of dignity and care. With the WHO South-East Asia Region facing critical shortages in health personnel, the discussion will include strategies for scaling up workforce production while maintaining quality—such as task sharing, digital learning, and public-private partnerships.
• This session aims to reinvigorate the HRH agenda by linking technical, emotional, and ethical dimensions of care—urging policymakers to see health workers not just as a human resource, but as human beings at the heart of the health system.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Integration of Compassionate Care Competencies into Health Workforce Education and Training: Policy support for curricula that blend clinical skills with empathy, communication, and cultural competence to foster more holistic care.
2. Strengthening Workforce Wellbeing and Retention through Supportive Policies: Commitment to policies that promote fair compensation, career development, mental health support, and safe working environments for all cadres of health workers.
3. Strategic Investment in Scalable, Equitable Health Workforce Solutions: Endorsement of national HRH plans that address shortages through innovative, context-specific approaches while ensuring quality, motivation, and compassion remain central to care delivery.

Empowering Nurses, Transforming Healthcare: Building a Resilient Workforce for the future

Host : Public Health Foundation of India and Novo Nordisk Foundation

Description :

• The global healthcare landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advances, demographic shifts, and emerging health challenges. A resilient and well-trained health workforce is the foundation for improving the health system’s performance. Investing in the health workforce is thus essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. Governments worldwide have been taking initiatives to address the workforce challenges, including increasing the production capacity to cater to the growing and evolving healthcare needs. World Health Organisation (WHO) reports an increment of 69.3% in the healthcare workforce during the last decade in the Southeast Asia region1 and prioritizes their capacity-building to guarantee ‘people-centered, quality, accessible, and equitable health services’. Among these, Nurses play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality care and account for majority of the total workforce in the region.
• Building on these efforts, over the last decade, the Indian government has taken significant steps towards achieving UHC by prioritising primary healthcare and expanding access in underserved regions through establishment of new medical and nursing colleges. As a result of which, the density of doctors, nurses and midwives currently stands at 35.9 per 10,000 population2, of which more than 70% are nurses, and will soon surpass the global average HRH threshold of 44.5 per 10,000 population. However, the widespread imbalances in workforce distribution including nurses, with a majority concentrated in urban areas, results in inadequate access to quality healthcare for approximately 2/3rd of the population residing in rural and underserved areas. The introduction of the new cadre of mid-level healthcare providers (MLHPs) –Community Health Officers (CHOs) at the Ayushman Aarogya Mandir, is a step towards addressing such imbalances by improving reach through qualified and competent nurses. It also emphasizes the importance of nurses as a primary healthcare provider, intrinsic to attainment of UHC. A well-trained and future ready nursing workforce is thus essential for enabling better health outcomes and addressing inequities.
• The nursing workforce today faces several challenges due to evolving roles and educational needs driven by changing disease patterns, ageing population, and rising expectations for better healthcare, coupled with limited career advancement and leadership opportunities, requiring stronger mechanisms to bridge the gap between education and practice. Even though the role of nurses and mid-level healthcare providers is highly recognized and appreciated, the roles and responsibilities of nurses are growing globally. There is a need to invest rightfully in training and competence building of the future professionals through innovative approaches, which has also been recognised as a South-East Asian regional goal in the “Delhi Declaration on strengthening primary health care as a key element towards achieving universal health coverage, 2023”.
• As India progresses to strengthen health workforce capacity in the region, this session aims to bring together key stakeholders and thought leaders to deliberate on opportunities for strengthening the nursing for a resilient and future ready workforce.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. The session aims to drive and prioritise nursing education and training, ensuring that nurses are equipped for healthcare transformation.
2. The session will lead to key recommendations and best practices for enhancing nursing education, pre-service and continued education, including faculty development.
3. It will also promote cross-sector partnerships and scalable solutions that advance health equity in the region and globally.

How can Good Governance and Collaboration drive Universal Health Coverage for India’s poor?

Host : KHPT

Description :

• Governance is a cornerstone of equitable healthcare access, particularly for vulnerable populations. While India has led the way through robust policies and flagship programs like the Ayushman Bharat to realize universal health coverage, challenges such as inadequate funding and infrastructure, poor resource allocation, poor stakeholder coordination, lack of convergence between departments, fragile systems at both community and provider levels often have hampered effective implementation of these policies. However, within these limitations, the state and national governments continue to maximize results through a wide and path-breaking range of innovative concepts and initiatives for UHC. This panel discussion, titled Health Equity through Governance, aims to showcase successful governance models undertaken across India with the aim of reaching the poorest of the poor with quality primary health care services and reduced out-of-pocket expenditure.
• Some of the broad themes in this session include fostering community participation to advance universal health coverage goals, leveraging robust digital health infrastructure, decentralizing care services, establishing public-private partnerships, and innovative community health worker programs. The exemplary primary healthcare systems of certain states further illustrate how diverse governance frameworks can lead to meaningful health outcomes, with promises evidence and data reflecting these successes.
• This session will provide a platform for senior IAS officers and key stakeholders to exchange insights, highlight scalable governance models, and discuss their alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Emphasis will be placed on actionable governance strategies that can be adapted to various socio-cultural and geographic contexts with the mission to inform policies through these real-world experiences in our country.
• The discussion is particularly relevant for shaping future health policies and fostering multi-sectoral collaboration among government bodies, NGOs, and academic institutions. The outcomes will inform the design of inclusive, evidence-based governance frameworks that ensure equitable healthcare access, align with national health priorities, and contribute to global health equity goals. This session aligns seamlessly with the overarching theme of the World Health Summit, "Scaling Access to Ensure Health Equity."

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Actionable strategies for scaling successful governance models, such as community participation, digital health infrastructure, public-private partnerships and innovative primary healthcare programs, to improve health equity across diverse socio-cultural and geographic contexts.
2. Recommendations for strengthening multi-sectoral collaboration among government bodies, NGOs, civil society, and academic institutions to address systemic health inequities and enhance policy implementation.
3. Frameworks for integrating state-specific evidence-based best practices into national health policies, contributing to the achievement of universal health coverage and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Women Led Development for Health Equity: A Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue

Host : KHPT

Description :

• Health equity is a fundamental human right. However, systemic barriers and social inequities continue to disproportionately impact women's health outcomes globally. These barriers include limited access to quality healthcare, gender-based violence, economic disparities, and harmful social norms.
• This panel discussion will explore the critical role of women-led development in advancing health equity. It will delve into emerging challenges in empowering women and girls to achieve their full health potential and will discuss innovative approaches, and successful interventions led by women in addressing these challenges.
• The panel will discuss various women-led models focused on different social determinants such as gender, poverty, livelihood etc. and aims to recommend an integrated approach to improved women’s health. The discussion will generate valuable insights and evidence-based recommendations for policymakers to inform the development and implementation of effective health policies and programs that prioritise women's needs and empower women's leadership. This panel discussion is highly relevant to policymakers, program managers, researchers, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders working to improve women's health and achieve health equity. The panel will highlight the importance of strategic resource allocation to support women leadership, women-led initiatives in the health sector, including community-based programs, women's health clinics, and digital health platforms. The discussion will serve as a platform for advocacy and social change, raising awareness of the critical issues affecting women's health and mobilizing support for initiatives that promote gender equality and empower women. The panel will foster intersectoral collaboration among government agencies, non-governmental organizations, community leaders, and other stakeholders to address the complex challenges of women's health and achieve health equity.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Program: The panel will enhance the understanding of the critical role of women-led development in advancing health equity and the importance of addressing the social determinants of women's health.
2. Operation: The panel will explore the critical role of male engagement in promoting women's health, including the use of innovative tools like Eligible Couple Days and game boards to increase male participation in family planning and maternal health services.
3. Strategy: The discussion will showcase innovative approaches, best practices, and successful interventions in women's health, including the use of technology, and community-based approaches, from organisations led by women
4. Task: The panel will generate concrete policy recommendations for governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders to improve women's access to quality healthcare, address gender-based violence, and empower women's leadership in the health sector.

From Barriers to Blueprints: Advancing Access to Healthcare through Vaccine and Therapeutic Acceptance

Host : AVPN and ETI Services

Description :

• Access to healthcare is an integral part of human life and dignity. Marginalized populations become more vulnerable when their locations become ‘hotspots’ for ‘super-spreaders’ like dengue. While prevention strategies on vector control and awareness campaigns have found success, there is a need to focus on therapeutic advancements, including diagnostics, treatment accessibility, and vaccine acceptance. To create a paradigm shift in the health system, it is imperative to have a multi-stakeholder approach involving government, CSR, donors, technical experts, and community representatives. This discussion will explore the recommendations derived from state-level engagements in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, to form a cohesive roadmap to scale access to healthcare equitably, especially for therapeutic advancements
• The World Health Summit’s theme of “Scaling Access to Ensure Health Equity” emphasizes the need for inclusive, sustainable healthcare solutions. In alignment with this, our session focuses on dengue response, recognizing the urgent need for multi-sectoral collaboration to strengthen prevention, diagnostics, treatment, and financing.
• With dengue cases surging across India, particularly in urban and semi-urban regions, there is a pressing need to improve early detection, community-driven prevention strategies, and sustainable financing. While vector control and public awareness efforts have advanced, gaps in disease surveillance, healthcare infrastructure, and behavior change communication persist, limiting policy effectiveness.
• This panel builds on the learnings from state-specific convenings in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, structured around three key tracks—Prevention & Behavior Change, Data & Surveillance, and Financing & Resource Mobilization — to address these gaps. The discussion intersects with the policy landscape in three ways—first, by preparing communities for policy acceptance when changes in healthcare frameworks, such as vaccine rollouts, are introduced; second, by identifying critical policy gaps in implementation and offering data-driven insights for reform; and third, by emphasizing the need for policy-driven financing strategies, such as integrating CSR funding, public-private partnerships, and outcome-based models into national and state-level health programs to ensure sustainable investment in Dengue prevention, treatment, and healthcare infrastructure.
• By translating state-level insights into national and South Asian strategies, this session will offer actionable recommendations for policymakers, CSR leaders, and healthcare stakeholders—ensuring that Dengue response frameworks are scalable, data-driven, and financially sustainable.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Integration of behavior change communication and community engagement strategies into national and state-level dengue response policies to ensure early adoption of preventive measures, combat misinformation, and build public trust in vaccines and treatments.
2. Institutionalization of real-time disease surveillance systems that leverage AI-driven predictive modeling, private sector data integration, and decentralized reporting mechanisms to enhance outbreak preparedness and targeted response efforts.
3. Establishment of sustainable, outcome-based financing mechanisms by mobilizing CSR investments, strengthening public-private partnerships, and incorporating gender-responsive budgeting to ensure equitable access to dengue prevention and treatment services.

Beyond Barriers: Community-Led and Cross-Sector Solutions for Diabetes Care in LMICs

Host : Beyond Type 1

Description :

• This panel brings together diverse stakeholders to explore the innovative and sustainable approaches necessary to overcome the unique challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in diabetes care.
• By featuring voices from lived experience, government, corporate, grassroots, and advocacy sectors, the discussion will center on successful collaborative/cross-sector partnership models, explore practical, community-led solutions and identify actionable pathways to overcome systemic barriers in diabetes care.
• Panel Objectives: Address key barriers in access to diabetes care, community and sustainable financing
  1. Elevate community-driven solutions that have demonstrated effectiveness in LMIC settings
  2. Identify opportunities for cross-sector collaboration that leverage each stakeholder's unique strengths
  3. Discuss sustainable financing models that can support diabetes care in resource-constrained environments
  4.Explore the role of digital health solutions in improving diabetes management in LMICs
  5.Develop actionable recommendations for scaling successful interventions
• Expected Outcomes:
  1. Knowledge Exchange: Shared understanding of effective models and approaches across different contexts
  2. New Partnerships: Connections formed between organizations and individuals for future collaboration
  3. Resource Mobilization: Identification of funding opportunities and resource-sharing possibilities
  4. Community Empowerment: Elevated importance of lived experience in designing diabetes care systems
  5. Practical Toolkits: Compilation of successful interventions, adaptable to different LMIC contexts
  6. Research Priorities: Identification of evidence gaps requiring further investigation
  7. Policy Recommendations: Concrete suggestions for policy changes to improve diabetes care in LMICs
  8. Advocacy Agenda: Collective priorities for global and national advocacy efforts

FundaMentally Speaking: Addressing the challenges towards achieving scalable Mental Health

Host : KHPT

Description :

• One in eight people in the world live with a mental disorder [WHO, 2022]. COVID-19 exacerbated this scenario, with common mental health conditions like depression and anxiety increasing by over 25% during the pandemic, adding to the nearly one billion people with a mental disorder. Nearly 80% of people with mental disorders reside in LMICs, including India. There is an urgent need to examine the strategic preparedness to address this situation, through policy, programme, legislation, infrastructure and finance and human resource. The panel will bring together experts with a view to these different aspects for strengthening India’s mental health response.
• Fundamentally speaking, mental health is an integral part of our health and well-being, and exists on a complex continuum, with experiences ranging from an optimal state of well-being to debilitating states of great suffering and emotional pain. A diverse set of individual, family, community and structural factors may combine to protect or undermine our mental health and shift our position on the mental health continuum.
• Developing a national strategy, responsive to mental health concerns will require attention to legislation and policy, finances and resources, organisation and planning, and availability of appropriately adapted evidence-based interventions and training, aligned with underlying worldview and cultural belief systems. Such a strategy must go beyond the narrow view of existing mental health policies and legislations in the country, to develop synergy with other sectors such as justice, labour, social welfare, etc; address financial constraints with a mere 0.06% allocated to mental health in India currently; offer strategies for decentralized planning and community-based approaches, and to address the 75% gap in availability of trained personnel, challenges which are currently being sought to be addressed through technology. Further, it must provide impetus to develop local innovative, evidence-based models to address these multi-dimensional challenges.
• The panel therefore brings together experts to deliberate the challenges of mental health for a country like India, and other LMICs. The panellists will focus on existing mental health programmes, gaps, and future opportunities; reducing stigma, improving access; multisectoral approach to addressing lifestyle based mental health challenges – law, policy, legal aspects, and costs.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Policy makers will benefit from insights on multi-sectoral approaches and collaborations to promote mental health and prevent mental health disorders
2. Specifically, it will bring expert recommendations to draw out and plan for areas within the Mental Health Policy that are still underdeveloped,: e.g., around community mental health programmes and strategies financing required to address the mental health burden in the country; inter-sectoral collaborations and participation by private entities.
3. Ideas for innovation, innovative community-centric models, decentralized approaches will be discussed to provide inputs for developing a national strategy on mental health

Transforming NCD Care for Health Equity: Scaling Access through Digital Health and Innovation

Host : Defeat NCD

Description :

• Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, disproportionately affecting low-resource settings and vulnerable populations. The panel discussion on "Transforming NCD Care for Health Equity: Scaling Access through Digital Health and Innovation" seeks to highlight how digital tools and innovative models can bridge gaps in NCD care, democratising access to early diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring while addressing systemic inequities.
• By showcasing scalable solutions and sustainable frameworks, these discussions will guide stakeholders in driving impactful, equity-centered change in NCD care, aligning with global health priorities such as Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• This topic aligns with policy priorities focused on achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and reducing health inequities. Digital health solutions are increasingly recognised in global frameworks, including WHO's Digital Health Strategy, as pivotal for improving health service accessibility, efficiency, and equity. By exploring innovative models for NCD care, this discussion informs policymakers on strategies to scale digital health interventions, leverage data for decision-making, and address barriers to health equity.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Policies should prioritise integrating digital health solutions into national healthcare systems to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and address health inequities. This includes scaling innovative models like telemedicine and mobile health platforms, supported by investments in digital infrastructure, broadband connectivity, and digital literacy programs. Additionally, targeted policies must address barriers to equity, such as the digital divide.
2. Policymakers must promote cross-sectoral collaborations and sustainable solutions that ensure equity in NCD care. This includes embedding health equity considerations across policies—spanning healthcare, nutrition, and urban planning—and building resilient systems that adapt to diverse populations' needs.
3. Exploring traditional and alternative medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, and Yoga highlights the importance of integrative health approaches in addressing NCDs. This discussion can inform policy by identifying strategies to integrate alternative medicine into national health systems, ensuring regulation, quality assurance, and equitable access. It aligns with WHO’s Traditional Medicine Strategy, emphasising the role of complementary systems in achieving health equity and expanding care options for NCD management.
4. Speaker Names and Affiliation

Building Resilient Systems to Address Hidden Inequities in Health: A Multidimensional View

Host : KHPT

Description :

• Despite the progress made towards achieving SDG Goal 3 ‘Good Health and Wellbeing’, fair access to healthcare remains a major global challenge. National averages that point to the impressive gains made in addressing major causes of death hide the inequities in health outcomes for vulnerable and marginalized communities, and underserved areas. Critical factors, such as social determinants of health, and newer and emerging challenges of climate and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, particularly from low- and middle- income countries such as India, also need urgent attention. The panel brings together experts from diverse field to deliberate on building equitable yet resilient health systems in this context.
• Equity in health is a key pillar of international and national policy frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as the National Health Policy 2017, and crucial for the well-being of individuals and society as a whole. However, empirical data shows that national health outcomes continue to be married by hidden inequities that primarily affect vulnerable and marginalized groups’ access, demand and utilization of healthcare services. Factors such as income, education, living conditions, social norms, developmental agendas and policies, the political economy of healthcare planning, financing and delivery, and regional imbalances, contribute significantly to health inequities. Additionally, the systemic unpreparedness for newer challenges, underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the current climate crisis and global public health threats such as Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) that puts the gains of modern medicine at risk (WHO, 2024) highlights the need to urgently evolve a strategy to identify equitable, contextually-relevant strategies to build equity and resilience withing our health system.
• Panelists with varied expertise on understanding the contributing factors to health inequities, health and climate, decentralized health management, addressing emerging areas such as AMR with a focus on equity, will provide practical ideas and solutions for policy makers, and students and scholars of public health on these issues. The panel will draw out specific policy level inputs to make healthcare systems fair, resilient, and capable of addressing the multifaceted challenges of health access and social determinants of health.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Insights from largescale datasets and scientific evidence will be drawn out to inform policy makers regarding specific forms of existing and emerging health vulnerabilities
2. Policy makers will gain a micro perspective of specific vulnerable groups and their health challenges in order to be able to better plan reach and access of health services and infrastructures for these populations
3. Policy makers will gain an understanding of the role of specific social determinants such as gender, livelihoods, habitats, as well as ecological determinants such as climate and how to address these challenges to health within policy to build a resilient health system

Woman Beyond the Uterus

Host : KHPT

Description :

• For centuries, there was no focus on women and their health and when focus did begin, women’s health has been solely focused on gynecological and reproductive health with good reason . Primarily because most females experience reproductive health events that males do not (i.e. menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause). However, this does not work as the foundation of all that women’s health ought to be.
• For example, according to WHO India report in 2021, diarrhoeal diseases appear to be causing more deaths in women than in men; also similar to the men, NCDs rank higher than Communicable diseases and maternal/perinatal as the cause of death in women but the focus of healthcare systems have traditionally been on focussed on reproductive health of the women.1
• Heart attacks, for example, are a leading killer of both women and men, but women don’t always experience the ‘typical’ symptoms usually seen in men according to the British Heart Foundation.2
• Additionally, women also face the challenge of existing within a system that was designed by and for men. The cost of simply being a woman in our society, and certainly in our healthcare system, is high. We must look beyond female anatomy and reproductive health to uncover and rectify the impact of centuries of navigating a consciously patriarchal society and a subconsciously biased healthcare system that wasn’t built for one half of the worlds population.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Identify what can be termed as womens health under policy
2. Recognize how the events across the life cycle affects womens health
3. Understand how the socioeconomic and biosocial systems affect the health and health care seeking behaviour

Social Media as an Enabler for Public Health Outcomes

Host : NIMS University

Description :

• Social media has emerged as a powerful enabler of public health communication—bridging gaps in information access, promoting behavioural change, and mobilizing communities at scale. From vaccine awareness campaigns to mental health advocacy, social media platforms are reshaping how people interact with health information. Their potential to drive real-time public engagement has proven especially vital during global health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
• At the same time, the rapid spread of misinformation and the lack of digital literacy in many regions have highlighted the need for responsible and equitable strategies for using social media in public health.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Establish Standards for Health Messaging on Social Media: Governments and institutions should develop clear guidelines to promote accurate, trustworthy, and culturally relevant public health communication through social platforms.
2. Invest in Digital Health Literacy at the Community Level: Building digital awareness and media literacy is essential for empowering individuals to identify credible information and make informed health decisions.
3. Foster Collaboration Between Public Health Institutions,Digital Creators and Comm : Encouraging partnerships between universities, healthcare providers, and content creators can help amplify science-based messaging and reach diverse audiences more effectively.

Water For Health Equity: Uniting Policy and Industry for Resilient Future

Host : Enira

Description :

• This session explores the critical intersection of water and health — from access and quality to governance and innovation. As water scarcity, pollution, and climate shifts increasingly threaten global health, the dialogue unites stakeholders across policy, public health, and industry to drive integrated, actionable solutions for population wellbeing. Water is central to achieving health equity, disease prevention, and climate resilience. This session bridges the gap between public policy and private innovation to reimagine how water can serve as a health enabler for communities across the globe — from sanitation and nutrition to chronic disease reduction and epidemic preparedness
• This Panel 1: “Flowing Reforms: Water Governance and Health Equity” brings together policymakers, international agencies, and health system leaders to explore how water governance frameworks—from rural piped water to urban wastewater reuse—are critical for preventing disease, reducing health disparities, and building climate-resilient health systems.
• This Panel 2: “From Source to System: Innovating Water for Public Health” discussion focuses on industry leaders, clean-tech startups, and engineering innovators who are transforming the water ecosystem through smart infrastructure, digital monitoring, and sustainable purification solutions, with direct links to community health, NCD reduction, and hospital-grade water safety
• Names of Speaker

Disability Inclusion Starts with Us: Rethinking Accessibility & Care

Host : Down Syndrome Federation of India (DSFI), UNICEF

Description :

• Persons with Down Syndrome face a range of lifelong health challenges requiring consistent and specialized medical care. Yet, many of these needs remain unmet due to systemic gaps and insufficient policy focus. In parallel, the process of obtaining a Unique Disability ID (UDID) or disability certificate—which is critical for accessing government services—remains unclear and inconsistent. And the legal implications and remedies available are vague This panel brings together experts across healthcare, policy, judiciary and advocacy to discuss ways to improve access to medical services, simplify the certification process, and propose inclusive policy solutions that prioritize the health and rights of individuals with Down Syndrome and promote their full participation in society.
• Down Syndrome is a condition that requires continuous medical attention due to associated health risks such as congenital heart defects, hypothyroidism, hearing and vision impairments, and early-onset dementia. Unfortunately, there is a significant gap in medical infrastructure and professional training to support these needs across India. Many healthcare professionals lack the specific knowledge required for early diagnosis and intervention, often resulting in delayed or inadequate treatment. Standardized medical protocols for Down Syndrome care remain absent in most primary healthcare systems, especially in rural areas.
• In addition to health concerns, access to social benefits via the UDID scheme is critical. However, families often face complex bureaucratic hurdles in obtaining certification. Despite karyotyping being a medically definitive diagnostic tool, it is not always recognized as sufficient proof, leading to repeated testing and emotional stress. A lack of awareness among both authorities and families further limits uptake of the benefits to which individuals with Down Syndrome are entitled. This also manifests in legal remedies available for persons with disabilities including Down syndrome, where awareness is even lower.
• This session aims to explore integrated strategies for policy reform, advocating for lifelong medical support systems, simplification of the UDID process, understanding of legal rights made available and improved coordination between government departments. The discussion will also highlight the importance of viewing disability rights through a lens of social inclusion—ensuring that individuals with Down Syndrome are not only medically supported but also fully included in community life.
• Key recommendations will focus on policy, system-level reform, judicial approaches and inclusive practices that span healthcare, certification, and social integration.

High Level Panel: From Primary Health Care Vision to Reality: Embedding a collective learning agenda alongside health system reforms, experience from the South-East Asia Regional PHC Forum

Host : WHO SEARO and ADB

Description :

• Primary Health Care (PHC) lies at the heart of resilient, equitable, and people-centered health systems. Yet, despite decades of global commitment, the gap between PHC vision and implementation remains significant. This High-Level Panel will spotlight how countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region are bridging that gap by embedding a collective learning agenda into health system reforms—transforming PHC from principle to practice.
• Drawing from the recent South-East Asia Regional PHC Forum, the session will bring together ministers, policymakers, development partners, and community leaders to reflect on country experiences, progress, and innovations in operationalizing PHC in diverse contexts. It will highlight how structured learning platforms—across borders and sectors—are enabling countries to share knowledge, accelerate reforms, and adapt solutions to their unique health system realities.
• At the core of this conversation is the belief that learning is not ancillary to reform, but essential to its success. Panelists will share examples of how collective learning—through south-south cooperation, peer exchanges, community feedback loops, and digital learning networks—has helped shape more inclusive and adaptive PHC reforms. Topics will include governance transformation, financing strategies, quality improvement, workforce strengthening, digital innovation, and community engagement.
• The session will also address persistent challenges: How can countries ensure reforms are context-sensitive and equity-driven? How can they better align donor support with country-led priorities? And how can lessons learned in one country be effectively transferred and scaled across the region?
• This high-level dialogue will culminate in a call for sustained political will, inter-country collaboration, and investment in regional learning mechanisms as a means to advance the PHC agenda and accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and health security in South-East Asia.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Institutionalization of a Regional Collective Learning Platform for PHC Reform: Endorse the establishment or strengthening of platforms that facilitate cross-country learning, documentation of best practices, and south-south collaboration in PHC.
2. Integration of Learning Agendas into National PHC Reform Plans: Encourage countries to embed continuous learning, monitoring, and adaptive management into their health system strengthening strategies, supported by policy and financing mechanisms.
3. Commitment to Equitable and Context-Driven PHC Transformation: Reinforce the political commitment to inclusive, community-engaged, and equity-focused PHC reforms that are informed by real-time learning and evidence from the region.

Impact of Oral Health on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes: An Evidence-Based Approach

Host : Cochrane India Network in collaboration with the Institute of Dental Sciences, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan, Bhubaneswar

Description :

• Oral health plays a pivotal role in ensuring the overall well-being of mothers and neonates. Poor oral health during pregnancy, including periodontal diseases, has been linked to adverse maternal outcomes such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth, as well as neonatal conditions like low birth weight. Despite its significance, the integration of oral health into maternal and neonatal care policies remains limited. This session aims to explore evidence-based strategies for improving oral health outcomes among pregnant women and neonates, while addressing existing gaps in policy and practice. The discussion will bring together experts, clinicians, and policymakers to propose actionable solutions.
• Maternal and neonatal health is a priority in global healthcare initiatives, including Sustainable Development Goal 3. However, the intersection between oral health and maternal-neonatal outcomes is often overlooked in health policies. Evidence suggests that periodontal diseases during pregnancy significantly increase the risk of adverse outcomes, such as preterm birth and low birth weight, while neonatal oral health is affected by maternal oral conditions and feeding practices. Addressing these issues requires a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates oral health into maternal and neonatal care frameworks.
• This session aligns with the World Health Summit’s focus on health system strengthening and policy innovation. By highlighting the evidence linking oral health to maternal and neonatal outcomes, the panel discussion aims to advocate for the inclusion of oral health in maternal and neonatal care guidelines. Experts will present recent research, discuss successful models of integration, and identify barriers to implementation in resource-constrained settings like India.
• Furthermore, the session will provide a platform for stakeholders, including policymakers, clinicians, and researchers, to collaborate on developing a comprehensive strategy for improving oral health among pregnant women and neonates. The outcomes of this discussion will contribute to framing national policies and guidelines, emphasizing oral health as a critical component of maternal and child health programs in India and beyond.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Integration of Oral Health into Maternal and Neonatal Care Policies: Advocate for the inclusion of routine oral health screenings and preventive care for pregnant women and newborns as a standard component of maternal and neonatal healthcare programs.
2. Development of National Guidelines for Oral Health During Pregnancy: Establish evidence-based guidelines outlining oral health management protocols for pregnant women, including preventive, diagnostic, and treatment measures, to mitigate risks of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.
3. Capacity Building and Training for Healthcare Professionals: Promote inter-professional education and training programs to equip obstetricians, pediatricians, and dentists with the necessary skills and knowledge to collaboratively address oral health needs during pregnancy and early infancy

Climate and Health Bold Bets and Project Typologies

Host : Asian Development Bank

Description :

• The World Health Assembly calls climate change “the biggest health threat in the 21st century.” Yet, despite 25 percent of the global disease burden being linked to environ¬mental risk factors, merely 0.5 percent of international climate finance goes to health. Climate change has affected 5.6 billion people and has cost $1.5 trillion over the past thirty years. As one of the largest and fastest-growing segments of the world economy, the health sector accounts for over 5.2 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Under a business-as-usual scenario, health sector emissions will triple by 2050.
• Multilateral momentum around climate and health has been monumental over the last few years. In 2021, at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, the World Health Organization (WHO) instituted the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH). At COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2023 hosted the first-ever “Health Day” in the history of the UNFCCC. This culminated in the endorsement of the UAE Declaration on Climate and Health by 120 countries, the launch of several climate- and health-focused initiatives by interna¬tional organizations, and the pledging of $1 billion to climate-proof health systems. In May 2022 and September 2023, under the G7 German and G20 India Presidency respectively, heads of state asserted their collective resolve for climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems. This commitment was further solidified in the G20 New Delhi Declaration in September 2023, where G20 leaders reiterated their commitment and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs).To drive concrete, rapid action on climate and health, ADB established the Climate and Heath Initiative (CHI), which was conceptualized during G20 meetings under India’s Presidency and launched by ADB’s President at the first-ever Health Day at COP28 in UAE in December 2023. The CHI will serve as a key platform to consolidate, streamline, and amplify policies and practices at the intersection of climate change and health. The CHI will support in identifying of projects for both climate adaptation and mitigation of the health sector, capacity building of stakeholders and co-financing and implementation of identified projects in the Developing member Countries (DMCs).
• Countries must unlock this opportunity to initiate and accelerate climate and health action. Policy ecosystem development at the global, national and local level will entail agenda setting, cross-sector collaboration, intersectional development financing, policy formulation and execution, and public-private sector engagement.
• Thematic areas, development pathways, and solution packages across the climate and health continuum need to cover a wide spectrum. On the climate-to-health side, extreme weather events, vector-borne, zoonotic, and communicable diseases, nature-based solutions, nutrition, and mental health are some of the key areas. On the health-to-climate side, climate-ready human resources for health, sustainable medical products and practices, biomedical waste, vaccines and technologies, and health information systems are several of the major areas.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Multilateral, Bilateral and National Operationalization of Climate and Health
2. Public-Private Partnership for Climate Health Solutions
3. Showcasing and Socializing Bold Bets and Project Typologies

Strengthening emergency preparedness, readiness and resilience of health facilities and health systems in urban areas of the South-East Asia Region

Host : WHO SEARO

Description :

• The rapid urbanization of the South-East Asia Region presents both opportunities and challenges for public health systems. As urban areas become increasingly dense and complex, they also become more vulnerable to a wide array of health emergencies—ranging from natural disasters and infectious disease outbreaks to climate-related crises and human-induced hazards. Health systems and facilities in urban settings often face unique stressors, such as overburdened infrastructure, inequitable service distribution, and a high influx of vulnerable populations. These vulnerabilities underscore the urgent need for comprehensive and context-specific strategies to enhance emergency preparedness, readiness, and resilience.
• This session will bring together policymakers, public health experts, urban planners, emergency responders, and community leaders to explore critical issues and best practices for fortifying urban health systems in the South-East Asia Region. It will emphasize the importance of integrated emergency planning, community-based risk assessment, resilient health infrastructure, and inclusive urban governance.
• Discussions will highlight lessons learned from past emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, and cyclones that frequently affect the region. Participants will explore how to leverage innovations in technology, data systems, and urban design to create health systems that can effectively respond to and recover from emergencies. The session will also delve into the role of multi-sectoral collaboration—linking health systems with sectors such as housing, water and sanitation, environment, and transportation—in building resilience.
• Special attention will be given to ensuring that emergency preparedness plans are equity-focused, inclusive of marginalized populations, and aligned with global frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the International Health Regulations (IHR).
• Ultimately, this session aims to generate actionable policy recommendations and foster a shared commitment across the region to prioritize resilient urban health systems as a cornerstone of sustainable development and human security.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Regional Framework for Urban Health Emergency Preparedness:
   Development of a standardized but adaptable regional framework to guide countries in planning, assessing, and improving emergency preparedness and resilience of urban health systems.
2. Integrated Urban Health Resilience Plans:
   Institutionalization of city-level health emergency plans that integrate multi-sectoral coordination, community engagement, and climate resilience measures within urban governance structures.
3. Investment in Urban Health Infrastructure and Digital Systems:
   Policy commitment to increased and sustained investment in resilient health infrastructure, digital surveillance systems, and early warning mechanisms specifically tailored for urban settings.

Harnessing Digital Health and Integrated Nutrition Strategies to End Undernutrition in Children Under Five

Host : American India Foundation (AIF) and PATH

Description :

• India accounts for one-third (40.6 million) of the world’s stunted children under five. Despite Poshan Abhiyaan’s efforts, challenges persist in early identification, real-time tracking, and intervention effectiveness. Strengthening nutrition programs with predictive analytics, food fortification, and locally prepared nutrient-dense meals can significantly improve child health outcomes.
• This session will explore integrated, scalable solutions that enhance early risk detection, optimize resource allocation, and promote better dietary intake. It will highlight how public-private partnerships can accelerate the reduction of undernutrition through evidence-based policies, improved service delivery, and innovative implementation strategies.
• Undernutrition remains a critical public health challenge, with 1 in 3 children under five affected (NFHS-5, 2019-20). The COVID-19 pandemic worsened malnutrition levels, threatening progress toward SDG 2: Zero Hunger by 2030. Addressing undernutrition requires a multi-pronged approach, integrating early detection, targeted nutrition interventions, and improved dietary access.
• This session will explore how government, private sector, and development partners can collaborate to integrate these approaches within existing programs. By leveraging public-private partnerships, optimizing policy frameworks, and scaling evidence-based interventions, India can accelerate progress toward SDG 2 and significantly reduce childhood undernutrition by 2030.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Enhancing Early Detection Mechanisms; Integrating predictive analytics into growth monitoring for timely, data-driven nutrition interventions.
2. Expanding Food Fortification in National Nutrition Programs; Strengthening fortification strategies within ICDS and mid-day meal programs.
3. Scaling Locally Prepared Meal Programs; Transitioning from dry rations to freshly prepared, nutrient-rich meals in ICDS.

The changing face of global health– what does the US withdrawal mean for pandemic preparedness and response ?

Host : Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response

Description :

• COVID-19 highlighted the interdependence of countries to prevent and respond to pandemic threats. Yet cooperation and collaboration are not a given, and the rapidly evolving geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape has wide-reaching implications for how the world prepares for and responds to the next pandemic threat. Understanding current implications of the US intention to withdraw from WHO, its review of foreign aid at large, and other counties implemented or planned reductions in development assistance, is critical for the global health community, as is strategizing on how to mitigate the risks and create new opportunities.
• In an interconnected world where 100,000 commercial flights land every day, stopping outbreaks from becoming pandemics, and mitigating the impact of a new pandemic requires collaboration and cooperation at a global scale. Investments in pandemic preparedness and response enhance national and global stability, and as such should be viewed as global public goods.
• In 2021, the Independent Panel recommended a package of reforms that were transformational yet practical. These covered new financing for global public goods, a transformed ecosystem to equitably manage medical countermeasures, strengthening of WHO independence, authority and financing, new systems for surveillance, validation and alert, and greater accountability in the international system. Underpinning all of these recommendations was the need for high-level political support. Since 2021, some progress has been made, but this progress is fragile and not yet good enough.
• The US government has played a pivotal role in global health during many decades, but has announced its intention to both leave WHO and to revisit all international collaboration. Other countries that have traditionally support global health have also reduced ODA spending, or announced plans to do so.
• Questions must be asked about how the changing landscape for global health cooperation will impact our collective ability to tackle pandemic threats. Who will set and provide leadership for the policy and political agendas? Where will funds come from to finance pandemic readiness and to pay to mitigate the impacts of a global health emergency? Will regions become more central to ensure access to tools like vaccines and treatments? What is the back-up plan when longstanding country positions change?

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. An understanding of how collaboration, engagement and leadership within regions for pandemic preparedness and response will potentially change within the evolving global health landscape
2. An understanding of how international agreements, like the IHR, might be affected when countries decide not to take part and what can be done to mitigate the risks for global health security for all countries
3. An appreciation for how PPPR reforms can be advanced, even within challenging geopolitical context, including on critical issues such as improving equitable access to outbreak and pandemic countermeasures.

Strengthening Health systems at Human-Livestock-Wildlife interface with a One Health approach

Host : United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Description :

• The growing interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health has become increasingly evident with the rise in zoonotic disease outbreaks like COVID-19, Avian Influenza, Nipah virus, and Rabies. The interaction between humans, domesticated animals, and wildlife plays a significant role in the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, necessitating a comprehensive, integrated health system. The One Health approach has emerged as a critical framework for strengthening disease surveillance, early detection, and response mechanisms, ensuring a coordinated and resilient defence against health threats.
• Urbanization, deforestation, and intensified livestock production have escalated human-animal-wildlife interactions, increasing risks of zoonotic spillover, AMR, and food safety threats. Fragmented health systems, weak surveillance, and poor cross-sectoral coordination hinder effective disease prevention. The One Health framework strengthens resilience by fostering collaboration, enhancing surveillance, and improving community awareness. Integrating human, veterinary, and environmental health sectors enables early detection, prevention, and mitigation of emerging infectious diseases, safeguarding public health and ecosystem stability.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Augmented Cross-Sectoral Synergy – Institutionalization of operational One Health frameworks at national and sub-national echelons to facilitate seamless inter-agency collaboration.
2. Optimized Epidemiological Surveillance and Expedited Threat Detection – Significant reduction in outbreak response latency through the integration of real-time, cross-disciplinary monitoring systems.
3. Fortified Public Health and Veterinary Workforce – Expansion of a highly proficient cadre of multidisciplinary professionals adept at mitigating zoonotic disease emergence and transmission dynamics.
4. Mitigated Antimicrobial Resistance Proliferation – Substantial decline in indiscriminate antimicrobial application within livestock management, coupled with reinforced biosecurity and infection containment protocols.
5. Elevated Community Adaptability and Disease Resilience – Amplified grassroots engagement through enhanced risk communication strategies, fostering proactive participation in zoonotic disease mitigation initiatives.

Advancing Global Health Equity Through Midwifery: Transforming Education, Practice, and Care

Host : MoHFW, GoI, WHO India, AIIMS New Delhi, NMTI, KNC, MGIMS, Aastrika Foundation, Fernandes Foundation

Description :

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has undertaken a significant initiative to integrate midwifery practice within existing obstetric care systems. This initiative aims to promote a positive birth experience, reduce unnecessary interventions, support natural childbirth with empathetic care, and enhance the overall pregnancy and childbirth experience for women.
• Over the past seven years, the program has made substantial progress, including the establishment of National and State Midwifery Training Institutes, the development of curricula, and the implementation of mentoring and training programs.
• At this juncture, it is essential to reflect on best practices, facilitate cross-learning, and share experiences from the Government of India, WHO, midwifery and nursing institutes, and key partners. Strengthening the philosophy and implementation of the midwifery initiative will be instrumental in addressing health inequities and ensuring respectful care for all mothers and newborns.
• Let us come together to support our midwives!

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Strengthening national midwifery education and training programs
2. Developing comprehensive strategies for interprofessional collaboration
3. Promoting respectful maternity care across healthcare systems

Navigating Health Diplomacy in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape: Challenges and opportunities to the Multilateral System and the Path Forward

Host : Global Health Diplomacy Institutional Network

Description :

• Over the past two decades, global health diplomacy has undergone profound shifts, shaped by evolving geopolitical and economic dynamics. COVID-19 exposed both the critical need for multilateral cooperation and the fragility of existing frameworks. Rapid advances in technology pose additional challenges – with the intersection between Health Diplomacy and AI recently discussed at PMAC in Bangkok.
• While global health has become central to geopolitics, the multilateral system that underpins health diplomacy is being challenged. The U.S. withdrawal from WHO, increasing regionalism, and the rise of a multipolar world order demand a reassessment of how health diplomacy is conducted. Strengthening health diplomacy is essential to shaping global health cooperation.
• Global health diplomacy is a fundamental aspect of global health governance and operates within a multilateral system that has relied on cooperation to tackle shared threats. However, recent geopolitical shifts raise urgent questions about the future of health governance. As the influence of traditional global health actors wanes, new power dynamics are emerging, with regional blocs and non-state actors playing increasingly prominent roles. At the same time, health itself is being transformed by rapid technological advancements such as AI, which require appropriate governance to ensure equitable access and ethical use. These shifts call for a reassessment of whether existing multilateral structures can adapt or if more decentralized and equitable approaches are required to govern health effectively in a changing world.
• The COVID-19 pandemic exposed limitations in the current system: WHO’s constrained authority and resources hindered timely responses, countries struggled to comply with IHR obligations, and global supply chains collapsed. Additionally, the U.S. exit from WHO and the freeze on USAID funding has had devastating effects globally.
• As traditional power structures shift, how can the global health community navigate this evolving landscape? Will this provide new opportunities and momentum for change? Who will lead in setting health priorities, securing financing, and ensuring equitable access to health services, particularly for marginalized groups of population and areas facing humanitarian crises?
• This session will take forward discussions initiated at PMAC on AI and health diplomacy, broadening the scope to examine how shifting geopolitical dynamics shape the future of global health governance.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Understanding how shifting geopolitical dynamics and technological advancements challenge traditional multilateral approaches and exploring alternative models for more effective international health collaboration.
2. Enhancing health diplomacy as a strategic tool to bridge geopolitical divides and ensure global health remains a unifying priority despite shifting power dynamics.
3. Identifying strategies to develop sustainable, potentially regionally driven, and inclusive actor-led collaborations that can withstand geopolitical disruptions and funding uncertainties

Advancing Global Health: Bridging the Planetary Health Roadmap and the World Health Summit Agenda

Host : Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, Sunway University (SCPH), Planetary Health Alliance (PHA), Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA)

Description :

• This plenary session will explore how the Planetary Health Roadmap and Action Plan can strengthen global health governance and advance the core mission of the World Health Summit (WHS). Included in the discussion will be consideration of developing a relationship between the WHS Regional Meeting and the geographically aligned Planetary Health Alliance's (PHA) Regional Hubs. The session will highlight the critical role of regional collaboration in embedding planetary health principles into global health initiatives and driving transformative policy action through national, regional, and global engagement.
• Key Discussion Points:
• The Planetary Health Roadmap and WHS Regional Meeting Alignment: An introduction to the roadmap’s key components—measuring, governance, education, business, measuring and communication—and how they complement WHS priorities like health equity, sustainability, and climate resilience.
• Regional Hubs as Catalysts for Global Health Action: A focus on the PHA Regional Hub for South and Southeast Asia, its mandate to foster collaboration across borders, and how this mandate aligns with the goals of the WHS process, emphasizing how the regional hubs can serve as access points to share resources and best practices with individuals and organisations on the ground.
• Synergies in Action: Examples of initiatives driven by the PHA Regional Hub that resonate across South and Southeast Asia, including the healthcare decarbonisation and healthcare professional’s advocacy with Healthcare Without Harm and the Malaysian government, as well as Planetary Health Education through Sunway University.
• Building a Long-Term Relationship: Opportunities for establishing a formal, ongoing partnership between the WHS Regional Meeting and the PHA Regional Hub to co-create strategies that integrate planetary health into global governance frameworks.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Enhanced Cooperation: Strengthened relationship between the WHS Regional Meeting and the Planetary Health movement with plans for ongoing collaboration.
2. Actionable Frameworks: Clear steps to maximise synergy between Planetary Health Roadmap and the WHS Regional Meeting process.
3. Amplified Regional Leadership: Recognition of South and Southeast Asia’s leadership in advancing planetary health as a model for other regions. Also developing a working relationship with NIMS University, one of the co-hosts of the WHS for future outreach efforts in South Asia, and other organisations aligned with regional governance.

From Bharat (India) To The World: Innovating for the Last Mile

Host : ACT Grants

Description :

• In periurban and rural India, access to quality and affordable healthcare remains out of reach for a
• significant portion of the population as 80% doctors based in urban areas, serving only ~28% of the population. In addition, 63% people annually are pushed into poverty due to out of pocket
• healthcare expenditure and travel more than 100km for basic primary healthcare.1 There is a need to leverage technology to develop and scale innovations across healthcare solutions to ensure access to quality and affordable healthcare for all in India
• The goal of this session is to:
  ● Spotlight the role of tech-first innovations in solving for healthcare challenges across access quality, and affordability in Bharat
  ● Highlight innovative models and approaches that are addressing these challenges through technology in action with impact on underserved populations in India; with learnings and key insights for scaling in other geographies across Africa and South Asia
  ● Discuss potential call to action for ecosystem players (government, private players, funders,ecosystem catalyzers) and the need for collaborative action in solving for healthcare
• Ensuring healthcare access for Bharat - India’s periurban, rural and underserved regions - is a multifaceted challenge requiring a multistakeholder approach to truly reach the last mile. While techfirst innovations in healthcare delivery are emerging, the scale needed to address India's vast population can only be achieved through collaboration. The government plays an indispensable role in this ecosystem by crafting enabling policies, fostering public-private partnerships, and scaling proven solutions to bridge the last mile. This session will delve into how policy frameworks can catalyze innovation adoption, driving affordability, accessibility, and quality at scale.
• The discussion will also explore the systemic barriers startups face in scaling healthcare solutions,including fragmented funding landscapes, regulatory hurdles, and limited access to rural markets. By identifying actionable strategies for overcoming these barriers. Ultimately, this dialogue seeks to build a collaborative framework that unites technology, innovation, policy, and partnerships to achieve sustainable, last-mile healthcare access for Bharat and beyond.
• Lastly, India’s healthcare journey is not just a national narrative but a blueprint for similar socio-economic contexts globally. With parallels in South Asia and Africa, Bharat’s innovations offer
• transferable models for addressing gaps in healthcare delivery, infrastructure, and affordability. By spotlighting success stories and challenges alike, this session will emphasize the importance of local adaptability combined with global knowledge-sharing to ensure health equity.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Policy recommendations to incentivize tech innovation, outlining barriers to scale, and ecosystem support required to build solutions to solve for healthcare access for Bharat & beyond
2. Best practices to inform policy implications for scale up of tech innovations through government adoption

Outcomes Matter: Health Financing for Impact

Host : Vital Strategies & Impact Investors Council (IIC)

Description :

• The global development landscape is shifting dramatically. Over recent decades, the world has contended with a confluence of crises due to pandemics, climate change threats, geopolitical tensions, and increasingly restrictive financing conditions. These crises have pushed the estimated financing gap to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) to between US$ 2.5-4 trillion annually, underscoring the urgent need for efficient use of funds and new resource mobilization. For India alone, there is an estimated financial shortfall of INR 533 lakh crores (US$ 8.5 trillion) over 15 years for achieving SDGs. Furthermore, the share of development assistance for health dedicated to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has stagnated at 1-2% of the total since 2000. This chronic underinvestment in NCDs – which accounts for about 41 million deaths annually, 85 percent of which occur in low and middle-income countries, is placing an unprecedented strain on health systems, especially as climate change, rapid urbanization, and environmental risks such as air pollution further exacerbate vulnerabilities.
• The domino effect of these disruptions is clear; the restrictive funding and changing landscape are setting the stage for a crisis where health systems buckle under the pressures of growing disease burdens and constrained resources. Traditional financing models are falling short; they often prioritize input rather than actual health outcomes, limiting efficiency and impact. As these vulnerabilities grow, governments, private sector players, and stakeholders must rethink their approach to health financing. Innovative funding models can complement traditional financing, drive efficiency and unlock new pools of capital. Outcome-based Financing (OBF), a model where funding is linked to incentivization and specific and measurable health outcomes, offers a promising approach to maximize existing resources and mobilize private sector investments.
• By driving operational efficiency and innovation, OBF increases accountability and targets structural inefficiencies. However, successful implementation of OBF requires careful planning, strong partnerships, and robust monitoring and evaluation systems, specifically:
• Clear and measurable health outcomes to guide financing decisions
• Robust monitoring and evaluation systems to track progress and ensure accountability
• Appropriate incentive structures to encourage stakeholders while maintaining the quality of care
• Strong multi-sectoral partnerships between government, donors, implementing organizations, private sector, and civil society organizations

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Policy enablers for adopting and mainstreaming OBF into national health systems, strengthening delivery governance and program implementation - rewards continuous improvement and delivery of services to make systems operate efficiently to protect and promote health outcome
2. Data-driven decision-making and institutional capacity building for effective OBF implementation - evidence from such innovative approaches can generate insights, inform action, and help
3. Promote an enabling ecosystem that fosters partnerships among stakeholders, builds awareness, and leads to scale-up of efforts for creating a broader impact

TBC

Panel discussion: From Policy to Practice: Scaling Successful Climate-Health Adaptation Solutions

Host : Swasti, Blockchain for Impact

Description :

• The escalating impacts of climate change on public health demand evidence-based, implementable solutions that bridge policy and practice. This panel brings together government administrators and practitioners who have successfully designed and executed comprehensive climate-health initiatives, offering valuable insights for scaling effective interventions.
• Drawing from diverse regional experiences across Asia, the discussion will examine three transformative approaches:
• Strategic Early Warning Systems and Urban Resilience The Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan, South Asia's pioneering comprehensive heat preparedness system, demonstrates how data-driven policy interventions can signifi cantly reduce climate-related mortality. Since its implementation following the 2010 heatwave, this initiative has become a blueprint for urban climate resilience, showcasing the crucial interplay between administrative action and public health outcomes.
• Integrated Health Systems Approach Meghalaya's One Health Initiative exemplifi es how governments can successfully implement trans-disciplinary approaches to climate-health challenges. By integrating human, animal, and environmental health considerations into policy frameworks, the program has strengthened public health infrastructure while addressing emerging climate-related health threats, particularly zoonotic diseases.
• Technology-Enabled Decision Support Systems The Precision Health Platform, implemented across multiple cities including Jodhpur, Bangalore, and Tobaco City (Philippines), represents the next generation of climate-health governance. This system demonstrates how administrators can:
• Leverage real-time environmental and public health data for decision-making
• Deploy early warning systems that protect vulnerable populations
• Create customizable solutions that address local climate-health challenges
• Build institutional capacity for climate resilience

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Actionable Strategies: Identification of practical frameworks, tools, and approaches that can be adapted and implemented in diverse socio-economic and geographical contexts.
2. Informed Policy Recommendations: Development of policy inputs based on evidence and best practices to guide governments and stakeholders in addressing climate-health challenges.
3. Strengthened Collaboration: Enhanced opportunities for partnerships between governments, NGOs, private sector entities, and communities to implement and scale effective climate adaptation strategies.
4. Inspiration for Local Action: Empowering local decision-makers and community leaders with insights to take proactive measures towards climate resilience and public health preparedness.
5. Focus on Innovation: Recognition of the role of technology, data analytics, and participatory surveillance in improving climate-health outcomes and decision-making processes.
6. Global Replication Potential: A roadmap to adapt and replicate these success stories in regions facing similar climate-health challenges, fostering a ripple effect of impact globally.

Beyond Silos: Asia’s Role in Advancing Global Health Equity through Diplomacy

Host : Public Health Foundation of India, The Asia Research Institute, Asian Peace Programme (APP), National University of Singapore, Centre for Sustainable Health Innovations, Singapore

Description :

• Global health continues to reflect deep inequities with some countries continuing to benefit from far greater access to healthcare services, technologies, and life-saving commodities than others. These imbalances were sharply exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the unequal distribution of vaccines and essential resources. Asia, despite its growing role in healthcare innovation and political and economic influence, remains underrepresented in global health diplomacy, which is still largely shaped by Western institutions and agendas.
• Global health equity—the fair and just opportunity for all to achieve their highest standard of health—requires tackling the systemic drivers of disparity through inclusive governance, equitable partnerships, and sustained cooperation. However, countries often work in silos, missing opportunities to collaborate on shared threats and build resilient systems.
• This panel explores how diplomacy and policymaking can advance global health equity, and the opportunity for Asian leadership. Bringing together health practitioners, policy thinkers, and peacebuilding experts, it will examine how the intersection of health and diplomacy can drive peace, equity, and shared prosperity across regions.
• Initiatives like the Asian Peace Programme (APP) have long emphasized the need for addressing systemic inequities in global health governance, including the historical dominance of Western perspectives in multilateral institutions. These inequities amplified during the pandemic, where vaccine access and sharing disproportionately favoured the Global North. While countries like China and India stepped up to provide vaccines to the Global South, efforts remained fragmented and underscored the absence of cohesive global health diplomacy.
• Despite divergent circumstances and varying health systems, many Asian countries are leveraging shared health challenges to foster regional solidarity through collaboration in disaster preparedness, pathogen surveillance, and disease prevention. Asia, with its rapidly growing influence, scientific advancements is well-placed to play a greater role in fostering global health equity.
• This panel will explore collective opportunities for countries to advocate for multilateral reforms, facilitate collaborative research, and enhance preparedness for future health crises particularly in traditional diplomatic forums that focus primarily on trade and defence and commercial health interests.
• The discussion will highlight how health can serve as a common ground for collaboration among nations including geopolitical rivals—be it through joint scientific research, shared medical advancements, or cooperative advocacy. By reframing healthcare as a common good that transcends borders, the focus will be to aims to inspire actionable pathways to advance equity, improve healthcare access, and enhance resilience in global health systems.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Promote Collaboration for Health as a Tool for Peace going beyond trade and defence: Countries should leverage healthcare as a platform for diplomacy, fostering collaboration across borders—including among geopolitical rivals—to enhance global health equity and build trust through shared solutions
2. Facilitate Timely Sharing of Research and Resources: Global health systems should prioritize the equitable sharing of critical research, innovations, and resources—such as vaccines and treatments—to ensure preparedness and resilience in addressing urgent health challenges
3. Global health governance must prioritize greater representation from the Global South, particularly Asia, to reflect diverse perspectives and address inequities in health diplomacy and decision-making

Bridging the Gap Between Research and Policy in South Asia

Host : Campbell South Asia

Description :

• The rapid expansion of research and evaluation evidence presents both opportunities and challenges. Even within specific disciplines, researchers struggle to keep up with the latest findings, while policymakers and practitioners often lack access to timely, synthesized evidence to inform decision-making. In South Asia similar to other developing regions—there are significant barriers to translating research evidence into actionable knowledge and practice.
• This panel will explore strategies to enhance the use of evidence-based decision-making products (EBDMPs), including evidence and gap maps and systematic reviews, to inform policies and programs. It will also examine effective models of collaboration between universities, research organizations, and governments to strengthen evidence-based policymaking.
• By leveraging the diverse expertise of panelists, the session will identify practical solutions for bridging the gap between evidence, policy, and implementation ensuring that research findings lead to improved health outcomes and greater social inclusion.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. By the end of the session, participants will:
2. Gain a better understanding of the current capacity for policy-relevant reviews in South Asia and how to strengthen it.
3. Learn about successful collaboration models between universities, research organizations, and governments.
4. Identify actionable strategies to increase the uptake of evidence in policymaking and implementation.
5. Develop insights into enhancing stakeholder engagement for more inclusive, impactful, and contextually relevant evidence synthesis.
6. Establish potential pathways for future partnerships and capacity-building initiatives in evidence-based decision-making.

How can Good Governance and Collaboration drive Universal Health Coverage for India’s poor?

Host : KHPT

Description :

• Governance is a cornerstone of equitable healthcare access, particularly for vulnerable populations. While India has led the way through robust policies and flagship programs like the Ayushman Bharat to realize universal health coverage, challenges such as inadequate funding and infrastructure, poor resource allocation, poor stakeholder coordination, lack of convergence between departments, fragile systems at both community and provider levels often have hampered effective implementation of these policies. However, within these limitations, the state and national governments continue to maximize results through a wide and path-breaking range of innovative concepts and initiatives for UHC. This panel discussion, titled Health Equity through Governance, aims to showcase successful governance models undertaken across India with the aim of reaching the poorest of the poor with quality primary health care services and reduced out-of-pocket expenditure.
• Some of the broad themes in this session include fostering community participation to advance universal health coverage goals, leveraging robust digital health infrastructure, decentralizing care services, establishing public-private partnerships, and innovative community health worker programs. The exemplary primary healthcare systems of certain states further illustrate how diverse governance frameworks can lead to meaningful health outcomes, with promises evidence and data reflecting these successes.
• This session will provide a platform for senior IAS officers and key stakeholders to exchange insights, highlight scalable governance models, and discuss their alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Emphasis will be placed on actionable governance strategies that can be adapted to various socio-cultural and geographic contexts with the mission to inform policies through these real-world experiences in our country.
• The discussion is particularly relevant for shaping future health policies and fostering multi-sectoral collaboration among government bodies, NGOs, and academic institutions. The outcomes will inform the design of inclusive, evidence-based governance frameworks that ensure equitable healthcare access, align with national health priorities, and contribute to global health equity goals. This session aligns seamlessly with the overarching theme of the World Health Summit, "Scaling Access to Ensure Health Equity."

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Actionable strategies for scaling successful governance models, such as community participation, digital health infrastructure, public-private partnerships and innovative primary healthcare programs, to improve health equity across diverse socio-cultural and geographic contexts.
2. Recommendations for strengthening multi-sectoral collaboration among government bodies, NGOs, civil society, and academic institutions to address systemic health inequities and enhance policy implementation.
3. Frameworks for integrating state-specific evidence-based best practices into national health policies, contributing to the achievement of universal health coverage and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Health Policy and Systems Research: a key tool in health systems strengthening towards Universal Health Coverage

Host : Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research

Description :

• Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR) is an applied field of inquiry which examines the dynamic interactions between health policies and systems towards improving health and well-being. Bringing together multiple disciplines and driven by practical questions of those working in policy and practice, it has a key role in informing health systems strengthening efforts.
• This session will bring together policymakers from across the Asia Pacific and African regions and health policy and systems researchers. It will discuss how HPSR has contributed to stronger health systems, its role in addressing emergent health challenges and what countries need to do to develop sustainable research eco-systems to foster greater nationally owned HPSR to inform their move to UHC.

Health Diplomacy in Fostering Regional Cooperation: From Access to Sustainable Solutions in Health Host: Health Diplomacy Alliance

Host : Health Diplomacy Alliance

Description :

• The Asia-Pacific region faces significant challenges from AMR, with health systems struggling with high morbidity rates and projected economic costs of up to US$ 148 billion. These challenges are further compounded by climate change and environmental facto rs that drive the spread of infectious and vector-borne diseases. Advancing Universal Health Coverage in the region depends on effectively designing climate-resilient health systems to reduce the burden of AMR
• Establishing infection prevention and access, surveillance, and stewardship of antimicrobials in countries in the Asia-Pacific mitigates the burden of AMR while addressing the climate change threats posed to AMR mitigation efforts. Accelerating innovation and ensuring fair access to AMR countermeasures- such as antimicrobials, diagnostics, and vaccines- are essential to provide an equitable response to the challenge and improve public health outcomes.
• The Asia Pacific region requires support in capacity building, technology, financing, and policy development to strengthen efforts to achieve the global targets on AMR. Regional cooperation and integrated, long-term solutions are crucial for fulfilling the political commitments outlined in the High-Level Political Declaration on AMR and the Jeddah commitments adopted at the 4th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR.
• This event holds significant importance for elucidating the interplay between key global health challenges- AMR, climate change, and equitable access to healthcare products. By closely examining the synergies among these priorities, the discussion aims to foster an integrated, evidence-based approach that maximizes resource efficiency while aligning with high-level political commitments

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. - Integrated Strategies: Develop actionable pathways for policies addressing both AMR and climate resilience interception.
2. - Regional Coordination: Identify mechanisms to foster cross-border collaboration and share best practices.
3. - Equitable Access: Outline approaches to ensure fair distribution of healthcare innovations.

Economic Insights and Health Equity: Fostering Resilience in Vulnerable Populations

Host : Campbell South Asia

Description :

• The panel will explore the latest evidence-based approaches to health and disability, with a particular focus on economic evaluations. Panellist will discuss the intersection of economic principles, disability, and health, and highlight successful interventions that have made significant impacts on women's and children's health. The session aims to provide insights into effective strategies for enhancing well-being and fostering resilience in vulnerable populations.
• The relevance to policy is clear: prioritizing investments in vulnerable groups can accelerate progress towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, it aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Policies that support comprehensive healthcare, education, and social protection for these groups can lead to long-term benefits, including reduced poverty, improved educational outcomes, and enhanced workforce productivity. Moreover, such investments can help build more equitable societies by ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Redesigning Health Systems: Fit for Purpose Human Resources for Health (HRH) that enable better performance and quality

Host : Noora Health, Indian Institute of Management- Udaipur (IIM-U), Jeevaraksha – Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), Swasti Health Catalyst, Clinikk

Description :

• The strength of the health system and its designs lies in its workforce. A well-trained, adequately supported, and equitably distributed health workforce ensures that health services reach all populations, particularly the underserved and marginalized. Human Resources for Health (HRH) also enables Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) to address diverse health needs by advancing core values of Primary Health Care (PHC), ensuring community engagement, tackling social determinants of health, and fostering trust in the health system.
• At the World Health Summit 2025, this session focuses on exploring the strategies for enhancing the capacity, scope, integration, and competencies of the health workforce at all levels, including family caregivers and emergency care, focusing on exemplars, evidence-based approaches, capacity-building strategies, and innovative tools towards “Fit for Purpose Health Workforce for Health Systems Redesign” that delivers equitable and high-quality healthcare in diverse and challenging contexts
• The session aims to highlight how a well-trained and equitably distributed health workforce, including informal caregivers, can ensure equitable healthcare access, improve service delivery, and enhance emergency preparedness. Additionally, the discussion will examine leadership, organizational culture and workforce management in primary healthcare centers, emphasizing the need for leadership training among medical officers and nurses including Community Health Officers (CHOs).
• Innovative technologies, including AI-driven decision support tools, offer new ways to strengthen workforce competency and patient care quality. These solutions can provide real-time feedback, improve clinical decision-making, and enhance workforce motivation.
• Policymakers will gain insights into strategies for health system redesign, adaptive workforce, integrating caregivers into the formal health system, and leveraging digital and other innovations to enhance healthcare efficiency. The session aligns with global health priorities, including Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals, by ensuring health systems are "fit for purpose" to meet current and future challenges.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Recognition and Support for Informal Caregivers – Policymakers should formally recognize and integrate unpaid family caregivers into healthcare workforce planning, ensuring they receive adequate training and support to improve patient outcomes.
2. Leadership Development in Primary Healthcare – Strengthening leadership capacity among medical officers and nurses at primary healthcare centers can improve workforce motivation, service quality, and system efficiency.
3. Integration of AI and Digital Health Solutions – Policies should promote the adoption of AI-driven decision support tools to enhance clinical decision-making, workforce training, and emergency response capabilities.

Patient Safety Leadership: National to Global Insights and Innovations

Host : World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologist (WFSA) and the Indian Society of Anesthesiology (ISA)

Description :

• The session aims to explore innovative strategies and leadership approaches critical to advancing patient safety in perioperative and trauma care. This aligns with the overarching themes of the Regional World Health Summit—innovation and leadership—by fostering the integration of cutting-edge technologies, simulation-based training, and adaptable healthcare models into global and national health policies.
• As recognised leaders in patient safety, anaesthesiologists are at the forefront of efforts to create a patient-centric approach to surgical and perioperative care.
• Advancements in patient safety, particularly in perioperative and trauma care, have a profound impact on reducing morbidity and mortality globally. The session emphasizes scalable innovations and leadership strategies, offering insights into both high-resource and low-resource healthcare settings. Presentations will address emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), wearable sensors, and immersive simulation, which promise to redefine patient care through improved decision-making, risk prediction, and enhanced training. Additionally, the session spotlights personalized approaches to infection control, a critical area for improving surgical outcomes and combating antimicrobial resistance.
• This panel session aligns closely with the WHO’s proposed Emergency, Critical, and Operative Care (ECOC) Implementation by emphasizing scalable innovations, leadership, and training models critical to improving patient safety in both high- and low-resource settings. By addressing perioperative monitoring, infection prevention, simulation-based training, and trauma care leadership, the session provides actionable insights to strengthen ECO systems globally in alignment with WHO priorities.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. To realise patient safety targets ministries of health around the world need to actively engage with the Emergency, Critical and Operative Care (ECO) Implementation road map at national and regional levels.
2. The necessary resourcing health care workforces and services like ECO need to be embedded into national health policy frameworks.
3. Increased south-south and north-south dialogue needs to happen at the policy and clinical level if we are to learn from each other. What works in India shouldn’t just stay in India.

High Level Panel: Improving financial protection in health: options and strategies

Host : WHO SEARO

Description :

• Achieving universal health coverage (UHC) requires ensuring that individuals and families can access the health services they need without facing financial hardship. However, across many countries—particularly in low- and middle-income regions—out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditures continue to push millions into poverty each year. This session focuses on advancing financial protection in health by exploring innovative policy options, financing mechanisms, and strategic approaches that reduce OOP spending, increase access, and improve equity.
• The session will convene policymakers, health economists, development partners, civil society actors, and practitioners to deliberate on how financial protection can be effectively embedded in health systems design and reform. Participants will examine successful national and regional models of financing, such as publicly funded insurance schemes, strategic purchasing, risk pooling, and cross-subsidization. Special emphasis will be placed on designing pro-poor policies that ensure vulnerable populations are not left behind.
• Panelists will also explore challenges such as fragmented financing, limited fiscal space, and the high prevalence of informal sector workers who are often excluded from contributory schemes. Discussions will address how digital innovations, improved governance, and strengthened data systems can facilitate more efficient and equitable resource allocation and financial tracking.
• Drawing lessons from both global and local contexts, the session will examine the role of public-private partnerships, tax-based financing, and social protection linkages in building more resilient and inclusive health financing ecosystems. Attention will also be given to the political economy of health financing reform—acknowledging the need for strong leadership, public support, and cross-sector collaboration.
• By the end of the session, participants will gain a deeper understanding of feasible policy options to strengthen financial protection in diverse settings, with a focus on moving from theory to implementation.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Strengthening Public Financing and Risk Pooling Mechanisms:
   Commitment to expanding public investment in health and implementing risk pooling strategies—such as national or sub-national insurance schemes—to reduce out-of-pocket expenditures and improve equity.
2. Targeted Financial Protection for Vulnerable Populations:
   Development of targeted subsidies or exemption schemes for low-income and informal sector populations to ensure their inclusion in financial protection frameworks.
3. Institutionalization of Monitoring Systems for Financial Hardship:
   Establishment of robust monitoring systems to track financial hardship and catastrophic health expenditures, enabling evidence-based policymaking and timely course corrections.

Public Health in a Changing Climate: Strategies for Resilience

Host : SELCO Foundation

Description :

• Climate change is profoundly affecting global health, increasing the frequency and severity of heatwaves, vector-borne diseases, natural disasters, and food and water insecurity. Public healthcare systems, already under strain in many regions, are ill-equipped to cope with these evolving threats. Barriers such as limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and social inequities further hinder their ability to respond effectively. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach that includes infrastructure adaptation, policy reforms, community engagement, and innovative technology. This session highlights the urgency of integrating climate resilience into public health planning to protect vulnerable populations and ensure sustainable healthcare systems worldwide.
• With billions of people globally facing challenges in accessing healthcare, the urgency of building cleaner and more resilient systems cannot be overstated. This session, Public Health in a Changing Climate: Strategies for Resilience, will delve into actionable approaches to develop climate-resilient public health systems. Key areas of focus include infrastructure adaptation, policy innovation, technology integration, and community engagement, all aimed at addressing vulnerabilities and promoting health equity.
• The session will also examine critical barriers to scaling programs effectively, such as the economics of projects, social determinants, system capacity, human behavior, the convergence of multiple challenges, stakeholder opinions, conflicting ideologies, and the absence of a cohesive long-term vision. Tackling these obstacles is vital for ensuring healthcare systems are not only robust and reliable but also capable of fostering long-term resilience within communities worldwide.
• Policymaking often benefits from ground-level experiences, which bring invaluable insights into the local context and the needs of the most affected populations. This session emphasizes the importance of moving beyond large-scale, supply-driven models to approaches that are user-centric and adaptable to diverse circumstances. By aligning local actions with broader policy frameworks, the session aims to inspire innovative, scalable solutions to ensure healthcare systems are equipped to address climate challenges while maintaining equity and sustainability.

Mission Born Healthy – Transforming Maternal & Newborn Care Through Integrated Innovations

Host : Children’s Investment Fund Foundation

Description :

• Healthy pregnancy is the foundation for healthy birth, yet maternal anaemia, poor nutrition, and inadequate care during high-risk pregnancy remain significant risks. Addressing these issues require a comprehensive approach that integrates proven maternal health interventions, including digital innovations, and strategies that are driven by innovative financing and strategic partnerships to achieve sustainable impact. This plenary session will bring together policymakers, global health leaders, and philanthropic organizations to explore how a holistic approach, supported by innovative financing, emerging technologies, and effective behaviour change strategies can transform maternal and newborn care. Discussions will focus on scaling proven interventions, such as IV iron and point-of-care (PoC) diagnostics, while leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and real-time tracking to predict, prevent, and manage high-risk pregnancies. By fostering strategic partnerships and catalytic investments, this session will aim to accelerate the adoption of scalable maternal health solutions—ensuring that every baby has the opportunity to be Born Healthy.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Expand integrated maternal health interventions by aligning national strategies, leveraging digital health innovations, and strengthening strategic partnerships.
2. Prioritize investments in technology, behaviour change initiatives, and incentive-driven programs to reduce low birth weight, neonatal complications, and maternal mortality.
3. Foster cross-sectoral collaborations to develop comprehensive, scalable solutions for maternal and newborn care.

From Practice to Policy: Leveraging professional Associations for SDG Acceleration

Host : Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP), UNICEF

Description :

• As the world approaches the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the role of health professionals and their associations has become more critical than ever. At this point of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) era, renewed focus and action to end preventable maternal deaths, newborn deaths, and stillbirths – which share many common risk factors, causes, and solutions – are critical to align global partnerships and investments to accelerate subnational efforts and progress at the country level. Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) initiative employs a multifaceted strategy to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes globally. Key strategies include enhancing the importance of high-quality maternal and newborn care, which include- quality of maternal and newborn care during childbirth and postnatal period, promotion of respectful maternity care with quality, equity and dignity, translation of global evidences of immediate kangaroo mother care for small and vulnerable newborns into policy and program implementation and delivery of WHO standards Quality of Care for Level 2 facilities in the Small and Sick and Newborn Care Units with implementation of WHO guidance on immediate KMC for small and sick newborns; Functional Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) ventilation; Developmentally Supportive Care; Antibiotic Stewardship, and Early Enteral Feeding for small and vulnerable newborns .
• Professional bodies for paediatrics, neonatology, obstetrics, preventive medicine, public health and others possess unparalleled expertise, networks, and influence in shaping health outcomes across all levels of care. While governments and global agencies set the broader agenda, implementing health-related SDGs—particularly SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being—demands grassroots engagement and sectoral leadership.
• IAP with support of UNICEF is convening this panel at the World Health Summit to create a dialogue among professional associations to explore their roles, share best practices, and identify collaborative pathways. This conversation aims to foster synergy and align professional capacities with the global push toward sustainable, equitable health systems.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Institutionalization of SDG-Aligned Clinical Guidelines and Training for QoC:
   Strengthening and institutionalizing all pillars of QoC including provision of care through evidence based actions, experience of care, capacitated human resource and upgraded physical infrastructure for reaching every women every newborn everywhere (EWENE)
2. Strengthened Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration Models:
   The session may catalyze policy momentum to establish structured platforms for regular dialogue and collaboration between government, professional bodies, UN agencies, and civil society to jointly address SDG priorities.
3. Evidence-Informed Advocacy and Policy Engagement:
   Professional bodies and academia can be positioned as key contributors to evidence-based policymaking through their research networks, innovations, data systems, and field experience—enhancing accountability and relevance of public health policies.

Scaling Access to AI-Powered Diagnostics for Improved Health Equity with a focus on practical implementation, challenges, and real-world impact

Host : Koita Centre For Digital Health- Ashoka University

Building capacity for implementation leadership/innovation to ensure health equity in the Southeast Asian region

Host : IIHMR University, Jaipur/ TDR, Geneva/UGM, Indonesia /ICMR- NIIR, Jodhpur

Description :

• Implementation Research is crucial for translating evidence-based interventions into actual work practice, ensuring health education and social development innovations achieve their intended impact. Regional Priorities in IR vary based on socio-economic conditions, policy landscape, infrastructure and cultural context. This panel discussion explores how different regions set their Implementation Research agenda, their challenges, and strategies for enhancing implementation effectiveness. This panel discussion will also serve as a platform for knowledge exchange, strategic alignment, and the fostering of action-oriented research that is impactful at a regional and global scale.
• The selection of regional priorities for Implementation Research is crucial for ensuring that evidence-based interventions are effectively translated into practice. Each region has unique socio-economic, health and development challenges that require context-specific solutions. Interventions must resonate with the local culture, as well as religious and social norms, for successful implementation. Hence, aligning IR with regional, national, and global policy frameworks ensures sustainability and support for funding. Priorities should focus on where IR can lead to measurable long-term impact. Sustainable interventions ensure that research translates into continuous improvement. A well-prioritized regional IR agenda ensures that research moves beyond academic discussion and translates into real-world impact, improving lives and strengthening policy effectiveness.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. The insights gained from the panel discussion can have three significant policy implications influencing how government, institutions and stakeholders shape their Implementation Research strategies
2. The government should establish a regional IR framework that align with local socio-economic and health needs
3. National and Regional Implementation Research Roadmaps to guide investment efforts
4. Structured Mechanism to translate research findings into policy decisions effectively (establishing units in government bodies)

Health for All: Leapfrogging with Digital and AI

Host : Siemens Healthineers

Safe Transitioning of AI into Primary Healthcare: Building Trust, Capacity, and Resilience

Host : IIIT- Delhi and PATH

Description :

• The promise of Artificial Intelligence to real-world applications in healthcare can be fulfilled through intersectoral collaboration to develop safety, inclusion, and efficacy frameworks. Trust, transparency, capacity, and contextual relevance are critical to ensure AI does not deepen inequities and does not remain fraught with risks. This roundtable brings together global leaders to explore safe transitions of AI into primary care—with a dual-lens: amplifying capacity while safeguarding against risk. The session emphasizes building local capacity, ensuring contextual relevance, and co-creating policies that make AI a trustworthy ally in the war against AMR and primary care inequity.
• The promise of AI in healthcare lies not in replacing human care, but in augmenting it, particularly in primary healthcare where systemic gaps are most acute. From decision support in rural clinics to triaging in overburdened urban slums, AI can bring precision, speed, and scale—but only if safely transitioned with robust oversight.
• Recent deployments of AI in LMICs have demonstrated both promise and peril. Tools without transparency, contextual adaptation, or workforce training often result in mistrust or misuse. There is a clear policy need for setting standards for explainability, fairness, data sovereignty, and regulatory sandboxes for safe piloting.
• Moreover, capacity building at all levels—community health workers, local developers, and policy enablers—is crucial. This ensures a shared understanding of what AI can and cannot do. The roundtable aligns with the WHS mission to foster global health equity, encouraging South-South and North-South collaborations for responsible AI.
• This session will foster dialogue to:
• Identify risks and safeguards for AI deployment in real-world PHC.
  Highlight global best practices and pitfalls.
  Strategize policy-driven capacity building initiatives for inclusive and resilient AI ecosystems.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. AI for AMR Governance: Develop national policy frameworks that integrate AI into AMR action plans with embedded stewardship protocols and context-aware decision support systems.
2. Capacity Building Blueprint: Launch multi-tier training programs for healthcare workers, AI developers, and regulators on AMR-sensitive AI use in PHC—emphasizing both safety and local ownership.
3. Responsible Innovation Pipeline: Recommend global and regional regulatory sandboxes to pilot AMR-focused AI tools under real-world constraints, ensuring trust, explainability, and public health alignment.

Closing Equity Gaps: Enhancing Access and Affordability of Quality Medicines, Diagnostics, Devices, Assistive Technology, and Blood Products

Host : WHO SEARO

Description :

• Equitable access to essential health products—including medicines, diagnostics, medical devices, assistive technology, and blood products—is fundamental to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the right to health. Yet, across the world, millions continue to face barriers in accessing these life-saving tools due to high costs, weak supply chains, limited availability, and inequitable distribution. This session will examine the root causes of these access gaps and identify strategic, system-wide interventions to make essential health products available, affordable, and of assured quality for all, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
• The session will bring together global and regional experts, policymakers, industry leaders, regulatory bodies, civil society organizations, and patient advocates to discuss a range of practical, political, and technological solutions. Discussions will explore pooled procurement models, price transparency mechanisms, regional manufacturing and regulatory harmonization, and the potential of digital platforms to strengthen supply chains and forecasting.
• Special attention will be given to the role of local innovation and manufacturing in ensuring sustainable access, particularly in times of crisis such as pandemics or humanitarian emergencies. Panelists will also address challenges related to intellectual property rights, financing, and equitable access pathways for new and emerging health technologies. The inclusion of assistive technology and safe blood products in this conversation highlights the need to look beyond conventional essential medicines and consider the full spectrum of products critical for comprehensive, person-centered care.
• Moreover, the session will discuss how global mechanisms—such as the WHO Essential Medicines List, Prequalification Programme, and Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator—can be adapted and strengthened to support national efforts. Civil society and community engagement will be emphasized as key to ensuring accountability, equity, and responsiveness in access initiatives.
• This session aims to move beyond diagnosing the problem to generating actionable solutions and policy commitments that close equity gaps in health product access—leaving no one behind in the pursuit of health for all.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. National Access Strategies for Essential Health Products:
   Commitment to develop or strengthen national strategies that ensure the equitable, affordable, and quality-assured supply of essential medicines, diagnostics, devices, assistive technologies, and blood products.
2. Support for Local Production and Regional Collaboration:
   Policy measures to promote local and regional manufacturing, regulatory convergence, and technology transfer to enhance sustainable and timely access in underserved regions.
3. Public Financing and Price Transparency Mechanisms:
   Adoption of financing strategies and transparent pricing models—including pooled procurement, subsidies, and open-access platforms—to reduce costs and improve affordability across public and private sectors.

The Next Frontier of Digital Mental Health: Innovating for Equity at the Margins

Host : AdagioVR, ACT, MITR Trust, Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), The Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health

Description :

• India faces a severe mental health crisis, with only 0.75 psychiatrists and 0.07 psychologists per 100,000 people, far below the WHO-recommended ratio of 3 psychiatrists per 100,000. Over 150 million Indians need mental health care, but fewer than 30 million receive it, with an 80% treatment gap—particularly in rural and underserved areas.
• Despite the rise of teletherapy, AI-driven chatbots, and mental wellness apps, most digital mental health solutions primarily focus on mild-to-moderate conditions like anxiety and depression, leaving severe mental illnesses (SMIs) such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder unaddressed. Moreover, existing models heavily rely on verbal therapy, which may not be suitable for individuals who face stigma, trauma-related barriers, or distress in verbal therapy settings.
• Marginalized communities, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, rural populations, and persons with severe mental health conditions, remain underserved due to limited specialist availability, social stigma, and a lack of culturally competent care models. Scalable, non-verbal, immersive digital interventions—such as VR-based therapy and AI-driven tools—offer an opportunity to fill this critical gap.
• India’s National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) and Mental Healthcare Act (2017) aim for universal mental healthcare, but the severe shortage of mental health professionals and underfunded public mental health infrastructure remain key barriers. While digital interventions have expanded access, they still fall short in addressing severe mental illnesses and underserved groups.
• Current teletherapy models depend on live specialist consultations, perpetuating the supply-demand mismatch rather than fully solving it. Additionally, verbal therapy-based solutions do not cater to those who experience distress in talk therapy or fear stigma and discrimination.
• Emerging innovations such as VR-based therapy, immersive digital interventions, and AI-driven tools can help bridge this gap by providing scalable, trauma-focused, and non-verbal therapy solutions. AdagioVR’s evidence-backed VR therapy model is one such innovation—offering an immersive therapeutic experience designed to address trauma, stress, and severe mental health conditions, particularly for individuals who struggle with traditional therapy.
• By bringing together mental health experts, digital health innovators, policymakers, and community advocates, this panel will explore how India can move beyond teletherapy to more inclusive, impactful, and scalable solutions for severe mental illnesses and underserved populations.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Promote research and investment in solutions for SMIs
2. Encourage inclusive digital innovations that cater to marginalized communities and diverse linguistic and cultural needs
3. Establish clinical validation pathways to integrate evidence-backed digital tools into India’s public health infrastructure

Cochrane India Network & Cochrane Central Dialogue Shaping the Cochrane Colloquium 2026

Host : Cochrane India Network

Description :

• The Cochrane India Network, established in 2021, comprises nine affiliate centers across India, including the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; Christian Medical College, Vellore; and the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi.This network aims to promote Cochrane's work in India, support the community of Cochrane members, and disseminate Cochrane systematic reviews locally through various communication channels.In October 2024, Cochrane India announced that it would host the Cochrane Colloquium in October 2026 at the Institute of Dental Sciences, Siksha O Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar.The colloquium will focus on themes such as bridging gaps, global evidence, local impact, and equitable action, aiming to address health disparities and promote equitable healthcare solutions worldwide.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Evidence-Based Policy Integration: The session will emphasize the importance of incorporating Cochrane’s systematic reviews into national health policies to enhance the effectiveness of healthcare interventions in India.
2. Promoting Healthcare Equity: The dialogue will highlight the role of evidence in shaping policies aimed at reducing healthcare disparities, improving access, and ensuring quality care for underserved populations.
3. Strengthening Global Collaboration: The session will stress the value of international collaborations, like between Cochrane India and Cochrane Central, in informing health policies that can address both local and global health challenges.

Disabilities and Developmental Delays, an Inclusive Early Childhood Development: A Smart Investment for Tomorrow

Host : UNICEF, Sushena Foundation, DIVI’s, Rishihood University

Description :

• Early childhood is a critical period of brain development that shapes a child’s health, learning, and well-being for life. Disabilities and developmental delays affect millions of children globally, often exacerbated by inadequate access to inclusive early childhood development (ECD) services. The Nurturing Care Framework (NCF), endorsed by UNICEF and the World Health Organization, emphasizes responsive caregiving, health, nutrition, safety, and early learning as foundational pillars of ECD. Inclusive approaches that integrate the needs of children with disabilities within this framework ensure equity and resilience. This panel explores how inclusive ECD, grounded in the NCF, can be a transformative investment in human capital.
• Evidence from Lancet highlights that over 200 million children largely from developing countries, are not fulfilling their developmental potential. Disabilities and developmental delays, when left unaddressed, lead to significant barriers in education, employment, and societal inclusion. Early interventions within the Nurturing Care Framework—focused on health, nutrition, responsive caregiving, security, and early learning—are proven to optimize developmental outcomes for all children, particularly those with disabilities.
• By embedding inclusive practices into national ECD strategies, policymakers can address disparities and ensure equitable opportunities for all children. This approach aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Evidence shows that investments in inclusive ECD reduce long-term healthcare costs, improve educational outcomes, and strengthen social cohesion.
• This panel will provide insights into leveraging the NCF to create inclusive policies, share global success stories, technology solutions and highlight actionable strategies. Policymakers, civil society organizations, businesses, academic champions, professional associations, development partners and communities will gain tools to integrate disability-inclusive approaches into ECD frameworks, fostering an equitable and inclusive society. By prioritizing inclusive ECD, nations can ensure every child—regardless of ability—has the opportunity to thrive, contributing to a more resilient and inclusive future

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Governments will be encouraged to embed inclusive ECD within broader child development, education, and health policies, guided by the Nurturing Care Framework (NCF) and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
2. Increased Investment in Disability-Inclusive ECD Programs Policymakers will recognize the economic and social benefits of investing in inclusive ECD, including long-term savings in healthcare, education, and social services.
3. A key policy implication will be the need for improved data collection systems to monitor the inclusion and progress of children with disabilities in ECD programs

High level panel discussion on strengthening regional vaccine production through introduction of novel technologies and expedited regulatory pathways in South- East Asia

Host : WHO SEARO & CEPI

Description :

• The WHO South-East Asia Region serves as a global hub for vaccine production, contributing significantly to the world’s supply of essential vaccines. Immunization is more critical than ever in the current context of the constant threat of emerging and re-emerging, VPD outbreaks, AMR, climate change and changing population demography. To tackle these emerging challenges, it is crucial to leverage new vaccines, strengthen regional manufacturing, adopt innovative technologies, and streamline regulatory pathways.
• Innovation drives the progress in strengthening the ecosystem of vaccination and immunization, spanning from pioneering platforms for development of safe to transformative methods for their distribution and deployment. It is crucial to tailor vaccine technologies to the specific needs and conditions of the regions in which they are developed, considering factors such as delivery environments, costs, and timelines.
• There is a noticeable shift toward innovative vaccine platforms, with only 23% of vaccines under development in 2023 based on traditional platforms. Notably, nucleic acid vaccines, such as mRNA and plasmid DNA, account for 18% of ongoing developments. Additionally, various other innovative platforms are under exploration, including viral vector vaccines, protein subunit vaccines, virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines, self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccines, and nanoparticle-based vaccines. These platforms offer several advantages, including increased production capacity, affordability, safety, faster production timelines, and stability at higher temperatures. Embracing new technologies and facility designs can enhance manufacturing accessibility by prioritizing cost-effective, space-efficient solutions deployable in existing facilities. Adopting platform-based processes and integrated unit operations facilitates swift process transitions and enables multi-product capability while offering great pandemic preparedness. Four consortia in South-East Asia are developing mRNA vaccines for dengue, malaria, HPV, and researching RSV, Rift Valley Fever, HIV, rabies, and tuberculosis.
• With this background, IVD/SEARO proposes a plenary session at the Regional Health Summit to convene all stakeholders (manufacturers, regulators, ministries, and partners) with the objective to discuss the opportunities and challenges in further strengthening vaccine production. The focus will be on introducing novel technologies and expedited regulatory pathways suited to the regional context. This collaborative platform will generate actionable insights to reinforce the Region’s leadership in vaccine innovation and production, ensuring preparedness to meet both current and future immunization needs effectively.

Pandemic Preparedness and Animal Health

Host : Asian Development Bank

Description :

• In the past few decades, WHO declared 6 public health emergencies of international concern, and 5 of these have had animal origin. It is estimated that, globally, about one billion cases of illness and millions of deaths occur every year from zoonoses. Over 30 new human pathogens have been detected in the last three decades, 75% of which have originated in animals .The COVID-19 pandemic shocked the world to acknowledge that pandemic preparedness and response (PPR) needs a One Health approach and future pandemic preparedness would require a focus on animal health security. This panel will explore the region’s key challenges in animal health and biosecurity, and discuss strategies to enhance resilience against future pandemics through improved policies and cross-sectoral cooperation.
• Pandemics of zoonotic origin have had devastating health and economic consequences worldwide, underscoring the importance of preventive measures at the animal-human-environment interface. The zoonotic infections are a concern to global health security owing to its ability to rapidly spread internationally due to global connectivity and proliferation of trade, including trans-boundary movement of animals. The emerging zoonoses have also economic consequences due to loss of animal trade, travel and loss of economic opportunities for the people through loss of livestock. Climate change is intensifying the risks and frequency of zoonotic disease.
• Lack of effective control programs for zoonoses, limited inter-sectoral collaboration between the human and animal health sector with little consensus on the roles and responsibilities of each sector and low priority given to zoonoses are attributed as significant factors for high burden and emergence of repeated zoonotic infections in the region, often with explosive outbreaks. Certain disease amplifiers like population movement, fragmented health systems, weak biosecurity measures, poor surveillance and laboratory diagnostic capacity, and disruption of routine public health services have contributed significantly to the surge of emerging zoonoses.
• Governments and policymakers need to prioritize investments in One Health initiatives, integrating animal health into broader pandemic preparedness strategies. This panel will provide insights into improved surveillance and early warning systems, enhanced vaccine development and regulation, strengthened human resource capacity, data systems and analytics, and strengthened international collaboration and public-private partnerships, for mitigating the impacts of future pandemics.

Innovating for Impact: South-South Collaboration to Combat Anaemia through Scalable Innovations and Shared Learning

Host : Children's Investment Fund Foundation & Global Health Strategies

Description :

• Description
• Maternal anaemia is a critical public health challenge that undermines maternal and child health outcomes, specifically in the Global South. WHO recognizes that anaemia affects nearly 37% of pregnant women globally, with higher prevalence in low-and middle-income countries. The negative impact of maternal anaemia on health is compounded by an economic burden, including reduced workforce productivity and increased healthcare costs.
• While, countries worldwide are already undertaking significant efforts to combat anaemia, these initiatives can be further strengthened. By fostering cross-country partnerships, we can tap into shared knowledge, resources, and innovations, enhancing the effectiveness of anaemia reduction strategies. This collaboration can create a dynamic ecosystem for exchanging good practices, enabling the scaling of evidence-based interventions across diverse regions. Innovations such as Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose (IV FCM) can be deployed more efficiently through better understanding of its effective use, amplifying their impact in different contexts. Hence, a South-South dialogue would provide a powerful platform for a unified, global response to this critical public health challenge.
• Given this context, this session will centre around ongoing efforts on anaemia reduction across countries of Global South. It will further spotlight the need for a coordinated South-South response to the issue, through strengthened health systems, optimize resources, and advance maternal and child health goals across the Global South. It will also identify strategies to scale interventions, ensure sustainability and overcome challenges through collective action.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Highlight the potential of emerging innovations in supporting national priorities to strengthen the screening and treatment of anaemia.
2. Strengthen South-South cooperation for a unified, coordinated response to anaemia leveraging shared knowledge and resources.
3. Scale up evidence-based interventions and context-specific strategies to address iron-deficiency anaemia among pregnant women across countries in the Global South.

Harmonizing traditional knowledge, modern health systems, and drug discovery: from academics to policy

Host : Koita Centre For Digital Health- Ashoka University, INSA

Description :

• Regional knowledge systems encompass local expertise, cultural practices, and community-driven innovations that address social and economic challenges. In many areas, these systems remain underutilized resources for improving healthcare access, affordability, and quality. Traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda in India, which leverage centuries of accumulated botanical and health knowledge, offer a valuable template for integrating indigenous practices into contemporary healthcare. By combining traditional approaches with modern research, regions can create more inclusive and effective health systems. This approach not only enhances healthcare outcomes but also fosters economic development by creating local jobs, supporting small-scale enterprises, and promoting locally sourced materials.
• Integrating regional knowledge systems into health and development strategies can address critical gaps in affordability, accessibility, and quality of care while fostering economic resilience. For example, Ayurveda’s well-documented history demonstrates how traditional medical knowledge can guide the production of affordable remedies and preventive care protocols tailored to local health concerns. By supporting studies on the efficacy, safety, and scalability of such treatments, policymakers can ensure that regional knowledge contributes to evidence-based health innovations.
• From a policy perspective, tapping into regional knowledge systems can improve health outcomes and bolster economic opportunities. Localized solutions reduce dependency, generate employment, and foster community-based health initiatives. Policymakers can encourage interdisciplinary research that combines traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches, ensuring that local practices meet international standards of safety and efficacy. Furthermore, integrating regional expertise into formal healthcare frameworks enhances cultural relevance, strengthens community trust, and makes policies more sustainable.
• By investing in research and development around regional knowledge systems, governments can catalyze social and economic benefits, ensuring that both economic gains and improved health outcomes reinforce one another.

Advancing Equitable Reproductive Health for Youth: Expanding Contraceptive Options, Fostering Demand, and Promoting Gender-Responsive Counseling

Host : WHO Country Office India

Description :

• Reproductive health challenges among youth remain a global concern, with adolescents facing significant barriers to accessing contraception, education, and gender-sensitive care. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 16 million girls aged 15-19 give birth annually, and pregnancy-related complications are the leading cause of death for young women in low- and middle-income countries. Additionally, 3 million adolescents undergo unsafe abortions each year, increasing maternal health risks. Despite progress, gaps in equity persist, especially in regions like sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where 30% of adolescent girls have unmet contraceptive needs. Addressing these issues requires improved access, education, and gender-responsive healthcare.
• Equitable access to reproductive health services for youth is a critical global issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where young people face disproportionate reproductive health challenges. The UNFPA’s 2023 report highlights that 30% of adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia still have unmet contraceptive needs, contributing to high rates of unintended pregnancies and poor maternal health outcomes. Despite the global recognition of family planning as a fundamental human right, many young people—especially those from rural, marginalized, or disabled communities—encounter numerous barriers to accessing comprehensive contraceptive options. These barriers include cultural stigma, limited sexual education, insufficient healthcare infrastructure, and lack of knowledgeable healthcare providers.
• Addressing these gaps requires a holistic, youth-centered approach that ensures young people can make informed decisions about their reproductive health. Providing access to diverse contraceptive methods, along with gender-responsive, age-appropriate counseling, is vital to reducing unintended pregnancies, preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and advancing gender equality.
• This panel seeks to explore innovative solutions to overcoming these barriers by discussing ways to expand contraceptive choices, promote youth-friendly service delivery models, and incorporate social marketing strategies. By addressing these challenges, we can ensure that reproductive health services meet the evolving needs of youth, empowering them to make informed choices and supporting long-term health outcomes. Empowering youth through education and comprehensive healthcare is essential for promoting gender equity and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Policy implications of the panel discussion:
• The panel will provide concrete recommendations and solutions to ensure equitable access to reproductive health for young people. Key outcomes will include:
• A deeper understanding of the need to expand contraceptive options for young people and create accessible, comprehensive family planning services.
• Commitment to social marketing strategies that engage youth and reduce stigma surrounding reproductive health services.
• Strengthened advocacy for inclusive, youth-centered counseling and demand generation, advancing both reproductive health and gender equity.

No Health Equity, without Universal Access to Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and Justice

Host : International Planned Parenthood Federation, South Asia Regional Office

Description :

• Access to sexual and reproductive health care is a health equity issue. It's important to ensure that people have access to the information and services they need to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.
• South Asia has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality, approximately 1 in 4 maternal deaths occurring in the region. A significant contributor to maternal mortality in the region is lack of access to safe abortion care. Thirteen percent of all maternal deaths in South Asia are attributed to complications of unsafe abortion. Restrictive abortion laws governing abortion in South Asia, often vestiges of colonial rule, continue to influence women’s ability to access care.
• To improve SRHR equity and policy, we need to enhance human rights-based approaches, embed principles like non-discrimination, improve health systems with a primary health-care approach, integrate racial justice into SRHR initiatives, and address underlying causes of inequality, lack of access, and discrimination.
• In South Asia, violations of women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights are often due to deeply engrained beliefs and societal values pertaining to women’s sexuality. Patriarchal concepts of women’s roles within the family mean that women are often valued based on their ability to reproduce.
• Even in countries where abortion laws are more liberal such as India and Nepal - the only South Asian country to allow women access to abortion on request - access to safe abortion care is not guaranteed and in humanitarian emergencies is even less accessible.
• Marginalised groups such as youth and adolescents, poor women, women in rural areas, migrant and sex workers, persons with disabilities, people affected by humanitarian crisis – either natural or man-made - are most likely to resort to unsafe abortions. The perpetuation of stigma, cultural values, religious opposition groups and lack of preparedness for humanitarian emergencies, continue to stall advancements in abortion care including access to information and law reform in the region.
• Against this backdrop, this panel will bring together a diverse range of experts from across the region to discuss the current situation of SRHRJ and abortion care in South Asia, the progress and advances in abortion care such as abortion self-care; ongoing barriers, challenges and approaches for expanding abortion choice and access in the region.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Investing in Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights of marginalised communities and young people in South Asia.
2. Transformation of public policies and legislation to strengthen national laws and policies to protect the rights of communities to sexual and reproductive health care.
3. Help marginalised communities and young people make informed decisions by providing them with high-quality, inclusive, accessible and nonjudgmental SRH care.

Navigating Health and Climate Intersections: Adaptive Policy Strategies for Community Resilience

Host : Dasra

Description :

• The Global South stands at a critical intersection of climate vulnerability and healthcare challenges. India, for instance, experiences increasingly severe environmental disruptions, including extreme heat waves, unpredictable monsoon patterns, rising sea levels, and escalating air pollution. These environmental transformations directly impact public health, creating complex challenges for healthcare infrastructure, disease prevention, and community resilience. The healthcare sector must proactively develop adaptive strategies that simultaneously address climate change mitigation and health system preparedness.
• The integration of climate considerations into healthcare policy represents a pivotal strategy for India’s sustainable development and population health. Climate change is not merely an environmental issue but a profound determinant of health outcomes, affecting disease transmission, nutritional security, healthcare accessibility, and overall human well-being. Current healthcare policies require comprehensive reimagining to incorporate climate resilience as a core principle. This necessitates interdisciplinary collaboration between health professionals, environmental scientists, policymakers, and community stakeholders. By developing climate-sensitive healthcare frameworks, countries can potentially reduce vulnerability, minimize health risks, and create more responsive and adaptive health systems. Such an approach demands innovative policy interventions that address both immediate health needs and long-term environmental challenges.
• The proposed session will explore strategic pathways for mainstreaming climate considerations into national health policies in India, emphasizing evidence-based interventions, technological innovations, community-centred approaches, and best practices from the Global South region that can strengthen the Indian healthcare ecosystem in an era of unprecedented environmental uncertainty.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. The session will generate critical insights that can feed into potential policy pathways that include:
   1. Targeted guidelines for incorporating climate vulnerability assessments into local-level health planning, focusing on most at-risk regions and vulnerable groups
2. Mechanisms for interdepartmental coordination on climate-health risks, enabling more integrated and responsive policy development across government ministries and healthcare institutions
3. Establishing a systematic approach to climate-health risk monitoring and professional capacity building, designed to strengthen early warning systems and responsive healthcare infrastructure

Foundations for a healthy future: strategic actions for comprehensive preconception care

Host : Cochrane India Network

Description :

• Preconception care is a vital intervention for improving neonatal and birth outcomes. With 2.4 million babies affected by neonatal and birth disorders each year globally, addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach across the entire care continuum—preconception, prenatal, and postnatal . This approach recognizes that the period preceding conception is critical for the health and development of the future child. Preconception care encompasses a range of interventions, including health promotion, risk assessment, and the management of pre-existing conditions.
• The preconception period—the time before conception—is a critical window for improving both maternal and fetal health. The health of both parents at conception plays a significant role in fetal development and well-being. By focusing on this period, healthcare providers and individuals can address risk factors that may affect pregnancy outcomes, such as optimizing nutrition, managing chronic conditions, ensuring vaccinations are up to date, identifying genetic risks, and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Taking these steps before pregnancy can reduce the risk of complications, birth defects, and adverse outcomes, while contributing to the long-term health of both the mother and child.At the policy level, it is essential to recognize preconception care as a fundamental aspect of reproductive healthcare and advocate for its integration into healthcare systems. This involves policy changes to make preconception care a standard service and allocating resources to support its implementation. Ensuring healthcare providers have the necessary tools and support to deliver high-quality care is crucial. Investing in preconception care is key to shaping a healthier future for generations to come.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Strategies for integration of pre-conception care into national healthcare systems: make pre-conception care a standard part of reproductive healthcare with a focus on nutrition, mental health, and chronic condition management.
2. Ensure sufficient resources for pre-conception care services, training healthcare providers, and promoting public health awareness.
3. How to foster multisectoral collaboration: encourage partnerships between healthcare, education, government, and private sectors to create effective, community-driven pre-conception care networks.

Where do we go from here? Governance for Planetary Health

Host : Sunway Centre for Planetary Health

Description :

• This panel will discuss the future of governance for planetary health, determining how we can move past the academic roots of planetary health to integrated, holistic implementation of governance strategies which lead towards the collective well-being of both people and planet. The panel will bring together key actors in the political, legal, and diplomatic spaces for planetary health, asking how we can build coherence and cohesion across multilateral fora to benefit people and planet.
• Uncertain times, growing desires for isolationism, and stalemates in problem solving have led the United Nations and other relevant stakeholders to call for an overhaul of the multilateral system. There needs to be thorough and accelerated change to international governance institutions to better understand risks, work on crisis prevention, tackle the growing calamities society faces and to prevent recurrence. Reimagining governance for planetary health means that we must consider how to reform the architecture of the global governance system so that institutions and their thematic priorities are more closely and effectively coordinated, in a way that overcomes the fragmentation which prevents effective and just action. Emerging crises often overlap between fields, requiring an interdisciplinary approach to governance. Unresolved overlaps, fissures, an often-limited level of ambition and commensurate availability of resources among conventions and mandates means that fragmentation remains a key challenge. This leaves diplomatic capabilities overstretched and hinders the possibility of a sufficient, ambitious and coordinated international response that reaps effective and just actions for communities.
• Planetary health aims to serve as a holistic and transformative paradigm for the health of human civilization and the state of the natural systems on which it depends. These efforts include strides to promote cohesive and coherent global governance systems, through a planetary health-informed vision for international law. To support this vision, the Planetary Health Roadmap and Action Plan calls for implementation of a Global Governance Strategy for Planetary Health, with the aim of reducing international legal fragmentation while navigating global geopolitical uncertainties.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Key contributions from the session will be incorporated into the Global Governance Strategy for Planetary Health.
2. The session will aim to influence multilateral fora governing planetary health, including key insights as to implementing the recent advisory opinions from various international courts and tribunals.
3. The session will set a clear mandate for the future of governance for planetary health, identifying next steps planetary health advocates can take to move forward action at the World Health Assembly, the UN Climate Change Conference, regional bodies such as the G20 and ASEAN, and other key spaces in both 2025 and beyond.

Tackling Maternal Anaemia for Healthier Pregnancies

Host : Global Health Strategies and Women’s and Children’s Health Research Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC)

Description :

• Anaemia is one of the most prevalent conditions affecting pregnant women globally, with over 50% of pregnant women in India being affected. Iron deficiency is amongst the leading cause of maternal anaemia, significantly contributing to poor maternal and neonatal health outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and increased maternal mortality.
• Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose (IV FCM) has proven to be an effective alternative to oral iron therapies, offering rapid and sustained improvement in haemoglobin levels with fewer side effects and improved patient adherence. Global evidence have underscored the impact of IV FCM in addressing IDA. The recently conducted RAPIDIRON trial in India further corroborates these findings, demonstrating efficacy of IV FCM in the treatment of moderate and severe IDA.
• Anaemia, particularly among women and children, continues to pose a significant threat to India’s health and development. Maternal anaemia, in particular, raises severe risks during pregnancy, complicates childbirth, and affects newborn health, perpetuating a cycle of poor outcomes that weaken families and society at large. While the causes of anaemia are multifactorial- spanning from nutritional deficiencies, genetic disorders, and infections – iron deficiency stands as the leading cause of anaemia particularly among women of reproductive age group.
• Traditionally, oral iron supplements, while commonly used, face limitations due to poor absorption, gastrointestinal side effects, and low compliance —issues that are particularly concerning during pregnancy, when rapid correction of anaemia is crucial. Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose (IV FCM) has emerged as a promising alternative, offering rapid and sustained improvements in haemoglobin levels with fewer side effects and improved patient adherence.
• Global evidence underscores the effectiveness of IV FCM in managing IDA, with large-scale studies demonstrating its safety and rapid therapeutic benefits. Findings from the RAPIDIRON trial conducted in India, showed that administering IV FCM significantly improved haemoglobin levels and pregnancy outcomes within a short duration, further strengthening the growing body of evidence. While the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a guidance note on using IV FCM to manage severe anaemia in pregnant women, there lies considerable scope to widen its use. Given the growing attention and commitment to the issue, and increasing interest around emerging innovations, it will be ideal to consider the evidence like the RAPIDIRON trial. This can help inform discussions on optimizing efforts and administer IV FCM as a first-line therapy for managing maternal anaemia.
• In line with this, the session will be designed to focus on the clinical advantages of IV FCM, highlighting its ability to rapidly correct moderate to severe IDA and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. It will also explore the cost-effectiveness of IV FCM, emphasizing its potential to reduce healthcare costs by preventing related complications. Ultimately, this session will explore the role of IV FCM as a transformative intervention for the management of iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy, contributing to better health outcomes and advancing global health goals.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Highlight the burden of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in pregnant women, and its impact on maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
2. Underscore evidence supporting the role of IV FCM as an effective and safe treatment for moderate and severe iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy, based on global and Indian trial data.
3. Deliberate on the safety and effectiveness of IV FCM on anaemia including improvement of maternal and neonatal health outcomes and how these compare to traditional oral iron supplementation or other intravenous iron formulations to position IV FCM as a first line therapy for management of moderate anaemia during pregnancy.

From Wastewater to Action: Novel Approaches to enhance traditional Surveillance for targeted Public Health Interventions

Host : Gates Foundation, WHO SEARO, National Environment Agency (NEA), Singapore, Christian Medical College, ICMR, Swasti, NCBS & CCMB

Description :

• To explore and exchange practical examples of successful implementation of wastewater surveillance systems, tools, and technologies that can be adapted and scaled for implementation across regions.
• Wastewater and environmental surveillance (WES) has emerged as a transformative approach to public health monitoring, offering a non-invasive, cost-effective means to detect pathogens in communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, WES demonstrated its value by providing real-time data that informed public health responses. Beyond COVID-19, WES has proven particularly valuable in low-resource settings where clinical surveillance faces challenges due to limited diagnostic testing capabilities and widespread antibiotic use without confirmed pathogen identification
  1. The method's versatility extends across multiple public health applications:
  2. Early detection of emerging pathogens and disease outbreaks
  3. Monitoring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns in communities
  4. Supporting polio eradication efforts, particularly in endemic regions
  5. Tracking various infectious diseases including influenza and potential emerging threats
  6. Informing vaccination strategies by identifying hotspot areas
  7. Contributing to multi-disease elimination (MDE) initiatives through simultaneous monitoring of various pathogens
• Despite its proven utility, particularly in polio surveillance in India and other regions, there remains a significant gap in coordinating and institutionalizing wastewater surveillance efforts globally. While various initiatives exist, from scientific experiments to city/state/national level programs, the method's full potential as a complementary, cost-efficient, and equitable monitoring system has yet to be realized.
• This session addresses critical policy needs in global health surveillance by examining how WES can be effectively scaled and integrated into existing public health systems. The session will contribute to advancing global health security by providing practical insights and policy recommendations for implementing and scaling wastewater surveillance systems. Discussions will focus on translating successful experiences into actionable policies that support the broader adoption of WES as a core component of public health surveillance strategies

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Given our focus on strengthening public health intelligence through wastewater surveillance, here are the key policy implications that would likely emerge from such a session:
2. Strategic Framework Development & Advocacy
   1.Need for standardized protocols for wastewater sampling and testing
   2. Integration of wastewater surveillance data into existing public health reporting systems.
   3.Agreements for data sharing through a common platform while protecting data and privacy
3. Resource Allocation and Sustainability
   1.Sustainable funding mechanisms for long-term surveillance programs
   2.Investment in laboratory infrastructure and workforce capacity
   3.Cost-sharing models between national and local governments
4. Global Health Security Architecture
   1. Integration of wastewater surveillance as a form of early warning system into International Health Regulations (IHR)
   2.Development of global data-sharing platforms and early warning systems
   3.Strengthening cross-border collaboration and response mechanisms
   4.Standards for reporting and communication of findings

Bridging Borders: Advancing One Health and Antimicrobial Stewardship in Global Health Security and Equity

Host : Indian Council of Medical Research, Public Health Foundation of India, Centre for Sustainable Health Innovation Singapore

Description :

• AMR is projected to cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050 with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) shouldering a disproportionate burden due to inadequate surveillance systems, fragmented policy and unrestricted antibiotic use. Globally, over 70% of antibiotics are consumed in the animal sector, often unregulated, which accelerates resistance
• Many developing economies in Asia and Africa have a public–private divide in health service provision that has created simultaneously both excessive use of antibiotics and unregulated access to them. Strengthening One Health pipelines through multistakeholder collaboration is essential to addressing these challenges and mitigating AMR’s global impact.
• The 2024 UN High-Level Meeting on AMR reaffirmed the urgency of coordinated, cross-sectoral action, as resistance to last-resort antibiotics like carbapenems rises. A pressing area for intervention is the acceleration of new antimicrobial agent discovery and development.
• This panel will focus on the pivotal role of One Health Approaches in addressing AMR by fostering collaboration across disciplines and borders. The session will explore key components of the One Health pipeline, including drug discovery, surveillance, policy stewardship and the integration of human and animal health – emphasizing the necessity of coordinated, cross-sectoral strategies
• Panellist’s will explore ways to advance drug discovery through collaborative research and innovation, develop integrated AMR surveillance systems that link human and animal health data, and strengthen policy frameworks to ensure sustainable antibiotic use. Discussions will also highlight the role of international partnerships and regional collaboration in promoting sustainable antibiotic use and advancing global health security.
• Featuring experts from global health organizations, policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders, this panel will explore how international partnerships and regional collaborations can enhance resource-sharing and advance One Health as a cornerstone of health systems resilience and health security

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Develop and introduce One health frameworks as part of global health security and health diplomacy agendas across human and animal health sectors, with a focus on LMICs.
2. Strengthen capacity-building initiatives to enhance AMR Stewardship and policy entrepreneurship, AMR surveillance, genomic research, and data sharing.
3. Foster public-private partnerships to accelerate drug discovery and ensure equitable access to new innovations.

Transformational Strategies Enhancing Access to Surgical Care

Host : Operation Smile, Global Alliance for Surgery, Obstetrics, Trauma and Anaesthesia care, World Health Organization’s Western Pacific Regional Office, Harvard’s Program in Global Surgery and Social Change.

Description :

• It is estimated that more than 5 billion people (the vast majority of the world’s population), lack access to safe, timely and effective surgical care. Only 6.3% of the estimated 312.9 million surgical procedures performed each year are offered to the poorest third of the global population. People in poorer settings also have twice the risk of mortality from surgical interventions than those from high income countries. Financing surgical care is an investment in health equity. It is an effective way to increase the wellbeing of populations, drive economic productivity and achieve universal health coverage.
• Advocates for access to surgical care include a diverse group of professionals from clinical disciplines, public health, human rights, economics, anthropology, civil society, the for-profit sector, governments, and others. Resolutions at the World Health Assembly, such as WHA 68.15 and WHA 76.2, have brought attention to the needs of surgery and anesthesia in global settings. The global commitments symbolic of these resolutions have been followed by efforts in national policy including: national surgery, obstetrics, and anesthesia plans (NSOAPS), national clinical guidelines for surgery, national surgical improvement strategies, and more. However, many of these efforts have not gone beyond initial pilots, and lack of investment remains a challenge. It is believed that policies prioritizing surgical services, organizing systems, coordinating non-state actors, and integrating surgery as part of ongoing health programming will help countries achieve health and wellbeing SDG targets.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Evolution of policies that better integrate surgical care with health systems and offer a pathway of care offering coverage to patients throughout their life course.
2. Review of financial policy and decisions aiming to support investments in surgery and health.
3. Increase awareness on the need of policies required to grow and support the health workforce for surgery, obstetrics, trauma and aesthesia care.

Reimagining Access: Advancing Safe Abortion through Technology in the Global South

Host : CommonHealth, SAIGE (ARROW)

Description :

• The panel, anchored by CommonHealth and SAIGE (Safe Abortion Advocacy Initiative- Global South Engagement), will convene Global South leaders, activists, civil society organizations, and funders working on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), with a focus on safe abortion. The event will explore the potential of digital spaces in enabling equitable access to safe abortion, including their role in telemedicine, stigma reduction, and strengthening health equity. Advocates and funders will collaboratively examine strategies to leverage digital tools to sustain abortion rights movements in the Global South. The discussions aim to generate collective strategies and recommendations for expanding rights-based information and services on safe abortion while ensuring dignity and inclusivity.
• The ability to make informed, autonomous decisions about reproduction is enshrined in the ICPD Programme for Action (1994). Yet, access to safe abortion remains constrained by socio-economic, legal, and systemic barriers, particularly in the Global South. Restrictive laws and the stigma surrounding abortion force millions to resort to unsafe methods, leading to over 25 million unsafe abortions annually, with dire health consequences. Digital spaces hold immense potential to disrupt these inequities and enable transformative change in access to safe abortion services.
• Telemedicine has emerged as a vital tool, particularly in legally restrictive settings, offering confidential and timely access to information and services. Digital platforms also serve as powerful mechanisms for challenging stigma, amplifying marginalized narratives, and fostering community solidarity. For individuals who are often excluded—such as queer-trans* persons, caste and religious minorities, adolescents, and others—digital spaces can act as inclusive hubs for accurate, rights-based information and support.
• However, the potential of digital solutions in expanding abortion access remains underutilized due to inadequate investment and growing threats from anti-choice movements. This event will explore innovative ways to harness digital technologies to sustain movements, counter stigma, and create equitable health systems. With the rise of anti-gender and anti-choice agendas, the Global South needs strategic funding and allyship to ensure inclusive, intersectional, and sustainable abortion advocacy.

Accelerating progress towards ending TB through research and innovative approaches

Host : WHO SEARO (lead organizer), ICMR, FIND, National TB programme of Indonesia, Gates Foundation, REACH

Description :

• The South-East Asia Region continues to account for about 45% of the global TB burden with an estimated over 5 million people developing the TB disease in 2023, and over half of TB deaths in the year. There has been some progress in service coverage, with more than 3.8 million people being initiated on TB treatment in 2023. The estimated number of deaths due to TB declined to 583,000 in 2023. As per the Global TB Report 2024, more than half a million TB patients in the Region are attributable to undernutrition. Hence addressing nutrition and other determinants along with biomedical approaches is key to ending TB.
• In a review of literature undertaken by WHO South-East Asia Regional Office in 2023, it was found that the Member States of the Region published more than 3000 articles that are relevant to TB and TB control in the previous 6 years, about 60% of them being original research. However, the dissemination and use of the outcome of research and innovation is variable. Some National TB programmes and partners use new approaches and technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), computer aided diagnosis (CAD) to accelerate case finding, and digital technologies for treatment adherence. Digital platforms have also been used for direct transfer of money, streamlining the patient support process. However, several of these approaches haven’t been scaled-up enough.
• Lack of knowledge about available opportunities such as technical support from well-known institutions, funding from interested donors, and insufficient collaboration among Member States for research activities hindered enhanced innovative approaches to end TB in the SEA region.
• This session aims to bring together partners, experts, donors in the SE Asia Region to share innovative approaches, share knowledge on the recent and pipeline products (including TB vaccine), discuss opportunities for South-South collaboration.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Expected key policy implications from the session:
   1. Common understanding and agreement on the crucial role of research and innovation in reaching the ending TB and overall SDG 3.3 goals
   2.Identifying good practices that could be replicated to overcome barriers to access and implementation
   3. Stronger national programmes through collaboration beyond health to have a multifaceted approach towards ending TB.

Driving Innovation in Contraception and Leveraging Private Sector Partnerships to Enhance Family Planning Access in India

Host : Engender Health, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and Parivar Seva Sanstha (PSS)

Description :

• Ensuring universal access to family planning (FP) and a broad range of contraceptives remains a challenge in India. Although nearly two-thirds of Indians rely on private healthcare providers for general health needs, only 35% of married women access contraceptive services from the private sector. Bridging access to private sector stakeholders—including pharmacists, corporates, private doctors, among others has immense potential to fill gaps in access to reproductive health services. Another key challenge is unmet contraceptive need across different types of users, including ~52 million married women who currently rely on traditional methods of contraception. Enabling innovations in contraceptive method choices can help reduce dependency on traditional methods and also address varying reproductive needs of underserved user segments like unmarried men and women. By boosting collaborations with the private sector and driving contraceptive research, we can reduce access barriers for youth, lower-income and marginalized communities.
• This session will explore opportunities to boost access to family planning services through (a) introduction of novel contraceptives that meet family planning needs of all individuals, and (b) structured private sector engagement by training, quality assurance, and service standardization. Additionally, it will discuss program strategies to be considered to ensure equitable scaling of access to contraceptive methods and data integration mechanisms to ensure private sector contributions are reflected in government reporting.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Enabling increased contraceptive uptake through user-centric research
   Advocate for increased exploratory research to generate India-level clinical evidence for promising contraceptive innovations, especially those methods that have high potential to cater to currently underserved populations. This includes placing focus on advances in episodic and male contraceptive methods that can augment positive reproductive health behaviours among user segments that face high stigma to interact with health systems.
2. Strengthening capacity building and quality assurance mechanisms
   Highlight the need for government and private sector led initiatives to build the capacity of private healthcare providers, including pharmacists and drug store owners, to deliver family planning services. This includes standardized training programs, certification, and ongoing quality assurance mechanisms to ensure that private providers adhere to national guidelines and deliver high-quality care. Policies that mandate or encourage private sector participation in such training programs will be critical to scaling up access to reversible contraceptives.
3. Ensuring equitable access through inclusive supply chain
   Underscore the importance of public-private collaboration in prioritizing equitable and seamless distribution of contraceptive supplies, particularly to rural and underserved areas, which will be essential to address disparities in access. Additionally, the session will emphasize the need for systematic integration of private sector data into national family planning and health information systems. This can include identifying guidelines for data reporting, exchange, and usage between private and public sectors to improve service planning and monitoring of the family planning program.

Devising Policies to Leverage Technology for Healthcare Access: The Case for India and South Asia

Host : Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI)

Description :

• South Asia, including India, suffers from significant disparities in healthcare access, especially in rural and underserved regions. The advent of digital health technologies, including telemedicine, mobile health applications, and electronic health records, presents a transformative opportunity to bridge these gaps. For instance, India's eSanjeevani telemedicine service has facilitated over 10 crore consultations as of 2023. However, the policy landscape must evolve to encourage greater use of technology in improving accessibility and quality of healthcare across South Asia. This panel will explore the current landscape, challenges, and role of the private sector in engendering an environment that encourages technology-driven policy solutions for healthcare problems.
• The integration of technology into healthcare systems has the potential to revolutionise access, quality, and efficiency, especially in South Asia, where significant disparities persist. Digital health technologies, such as telemedicine, mobile health applications, and electronic health records, offer innovative solutions to bridge these gaps. For example, India's eSanjeevani telemedicine platform has facilitated over 10 crore consultations as of 2023, demonstrating the capacity of technology to extend healthcare services to underserved regions.
• However, adopting digital health solutions faces challenges such as infrastructural deficits, limited digital literacy, and uneven policy implementation across the region. Private sector involvement is critical to addressing these hurdles by driving innovation, providing technical expertise, and investing in scalable solutions. Policymakers must work closely with private stakeholders to create an enabling ecosystem that supports the growth of digital health. This includes implementing robust regulatory frameworks, incentivising private investments, and fostering public-private partnerships.
• By leveraging the private sector’s potential to complement government efforts, South Asia can address systemic gaps in healthcare access. Policymakers must prioritise equitable access and sustainability while encouraging innovation. This approach will not only enhance healthcare accessibility in rural and underserved regions but also position South Asia as a leader in adopting technology-driven healthcare solutions.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Recommendations that assist in a robust regulatory environment enabling the seamless adoption and integration of digital health technologies to ensure equitable access to healthcare in South Asian countries.
2. Advocating for an environment that encourages investments in digital infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives from the public and private sectors that can improve digital literacy among healthcare providers and marginalised communities.
3. Proposing frameworks for strengthened public-private collaborations to drive innovation, scale digital health solutions, and effectively address systemic gaps in healthcare delivery

India’s progress and journey towards lymphatic filariasis elimination

Host : World Health Organization (WHO SEARO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India), Indian Council of Medical Education and Research, Gates Foundation, Global Health Strategies, Project Concern International, Center for Advocacy and Research

Description :

• India has made remarkable progress in its journey toward eliminating lymphatic filariasis (LF). Guided by national program and supported by partners, India has scaled up Mass Drug Administration (MDA), enhanced morbidity management and disability prevention services. Advocacy with state governments, microplanning, monitoring and rigorous training of drug administrators have bolstered program execution. Innovative approaches during MDA rounds, night blood surveys and transmission assessment surveys (TAS) ensure precise monitoring. Domestic procurement of drugs and diagnostics showcases India's self-reliance. With active partnerships and community engagement, the country is on track to achieve LF elimination, marking a significant milestone in global health.
• India’s progress in eliminating lymphatic filariasis (LF) demonstrates a coordinated approach anchored in national policies and global health priorities. Strategies such as Mass Drug Administration (MDA), policy and advocacy, vector control, morbidity management and innovations align well with country’s strong leadership and contribute to WHO global elimination agenda.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Expected Key Policy Implications from the Session
   1. Decentralized Implementation and Accountability: Promoting timely microplanning, state-level reviews, and capacity-building among health workers to enhance program delivery
2. Enhanced Data-Driven Decision-Making: Leveraging digital tools during MDA and surveillance activities helps inform adaptive and effective policymaking.
3. Strengthened Multi-Sectoral Collaboration: Fostering partnerships between government and its allied ministries/departments, and medical colleges engagement ensure resource sharing for effective MDA implementation and reporting.

Ensuring Health & Income – Financial Solutions for Extreme Heat

Host : Climate Resilience for All, SEWA, Swiss Re, L’Oréal Foundation, BRAC

Description :

• The understanding and quantification of the harms of climate-driven extreme heat to women’s health are growing. This panel focuses on informal women workers who face profound health e􀆯ects – blisters, rashes, headaches, infections, miscarriage, and death. This example set of financial solutions to support income and health will give rich detail, including hearing from a small holder farmer and member of the SEWA community and her experience as a heat insurance policy holder and the impacts it had on her health and income. These interventions will be put into a policy context for the audience.
• The world urgently needs solutions to climate impacts that are devastating the health of vulnerable communities and draining local economies. This session will focus on the deadliest climate hazard – extreme heat - and highlight evidence-based solutions for practitioners and policy makers. Economic and health data shows that extreme heat disproportionately harms women, draining incomes and stalling economic growth. For many reasons, women face a dual burden: they suffer higher rates of heat-related illness while also serving as primary caregivers for affected family members—setting entire households and communities back.
• A combined approach—linking cash assistance and personal bank accounts with heat triggered insurance and risk-reducing interventions such as early warning systems and protective equipment—can mitigate wage loss, enhance heat risk awareness, and empower women to reinvest in their livelihoods. This strategy is already being integrated into social protection and disaster risk financing e􀆯orts by disaster management agencies, governments, and major employers, including garment factories and warehouse operations in heat-exposed economies.
• Policymakers must recognize the far-reaching consequences of extreme heat and rapidly scale science-driven solutions. With climate-driven global heating breaking records, urgent action is critical. This session will energize and catalyze action!

Scaling Access to Palliative Care in India

Host : CanSupport

Description :

• The challenges and opportunities for End of life care (EOLC)/palliative care in India are immense. According to multiple reports, India ranks very poorly in terms of EOLC, being placed 67th out of 80 countries in the "Quality of Death Index", indicating a significant lack of access to quality palliative care for terminally ill patient. Most of the work is being done through philanthropic initiatives. Less than 1% of population has access to palliative care, with most services concentrated in major cities . Strict regulations on opioids significantly hinder pain management, a crucial aspect of palliative care. Good death requires adequate pain management, decision-making autonomy, closure and acceptance, surrounded by loved ones and spiritual comfort.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. States to implement “right to die with dignity”
2. Improved availability of Morphine in cancer centres across the country
3. Home based palliative care

How to broaden access to gene therapy in the Global South

Host : Nature Portfolio

Description :

• Gene therapy hold the promise to cure many diseases, but they are not widely available to patients. The barriers are no longer scientific – CRISPR-Cas-based gene therapy works – but relate to social and political factors, such as costs and training. India researchers, together with others in the Global South, are developing their own low costs gene therapies, as well as cellular gene therapy such as CAR-T cell therapy for cancer, to reduce costs and invest in a highly skilled biomedical workforce. These low-cost gene therapies could be a model for the rest of the world to follow.
• This session will invite stakeholders from academia, industry, civil society and policymaking to discuss how the Global South could harness the power of gene therapy to cure disease, alleviate the burden on health systems, and invest in the next generation of the scientific workforce. A key question around the world is how to pay for gene therapy, including CRISPR-Cas based treatments for sickle cell disease as well as CAR-T cell therapy for cancer, given the million-dollar price tag. Approximately 20 million people in India have sickle cell disease, but no gene therapy has been approved there (an approved therapy in the USA costs $2.2 million). In Europe, some gene therapy companies have ceased operations and cancelled potentially life-saving programmes, due to a lack of reimbursement from health providers. This panel will highlight research carried out in the Global South to develop low-cost gene therapies, including an Indian gene therapy for sickle cell and the first Indian-produced CAR-T cell therapy, both of which could be commercialised and made widely available to the world through public-private partnerships. All of these issues and more will be discussed in this panel, which will be moderated by the Chief Editor of Nature Health, a new public and global health journal from the Nature Portfolio, one of the world’s leading publishers of scientific journals, where many of the clinical trials on gene therapies are published.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. An economic model to allow for the coverage of gene and cell therapies by health systems and insurers
2. Scientific priorities for the field of gene and cell therapies, prioritising research to be conducted in the Global South
3. Establishment of partnerships between governments and industry, including between countries in the Global North and Global South

Life and Health Beyond Motherhood: A Mandate for Holistic Approach to Women's Health and Well-Being

Host : Cochrane India Network

Description :

• Women’s health has traditionally been centered around maternal and reproductive health, often overshadowing other critical aspects of their well-being. Women experience unique health challenges that include chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, as well as mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, impacting women disproportionately. A comprehensive approach to women's health is crucial for enhancing quality of life and achieving better health outcomes. Creating a conducive policy environment and preparing health systems to address these issues is critical. Understanding the psychosocial, and systemic barriers faced by women particularly during later phase beyond reproductive age can significantly improve their quality of life and overall well-being.
• Women’s health and wellbeing are complex, multifaceted issues that extend far beyond maternal and reproductive health. It is crucial that healthcare systems, researchers, and policymakers place a stronger emphasis on women’s health issues outside the realm of reproduction, ensuring that women receive the care, support, and resources they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives. Additionally, continued research and awareness are necessary to bridge the gender gaps in healthcare, leading to improved prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies that benefit all women. Addressing these challenges requires a more inclusive approach to healthcare that recognizes the unique needs of women, integrates gender-specific research, and provides tailored interventions to improve health outcomes. Investing in women’s health and wellbeing with supportive policy environment that address women’s health beyond maternal concerns are essential for fostering a healthier, more equitable society. Promoting the well-being of women throughout their lives, reducing health disparities, and supporting gender equality, ultimately benefit the entire communities and economies.
• This panel discussion aims to spotlight women’s health and well-being beyond maternal health by focusing on mental health, sexual health, gender equity, and health system readiness. The session will foster dialogue on how to create supportive/enabling environments and ensure age-appropriate healthcare for women throughout their life course. Bringing together experts across disciplines, the panel will promote cross-domain solutions and identify actionable steps for policymakers, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders.

Role of Innovations in Healthcare and Importance of Robust Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in Evaluating the Value of Innovative Therapies in India

Host : Roche Products India Pvt. Ltd.

Description :

• The evolving healthcare landscape in India demands a structured and evidence-based approach to assess the value of innovative therapies. Health Technology Assessment (HTA) serves as a critical tool to guide policy decisions on reimbursement, pricing, and market access. While India has initiated HTA through the HTAIn framework, challenges such as limited capacity, inconsistent methodologies, and the integration of real-world evidence remain. Strengthening HTA can support equitable healthcare access, encourage innovation, and optimize healthcare expenditures. This panel will bring together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for building a robust HTA ecosystem that aligns with global best practices while catering to India's unique healthcare needs
• The Indian healthcare system is at a pivotal juncture, balancing the need for innovative treatments with cost-effectiveness and affordability. The Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn) initiative has laid the groundwork for evidence-based decision-making; however, it requires further strengthening to ensure the efficient allocation of healthcare resources. A comprehensive HTA framework incorporating clinical, economic, and social value assessments is essential to drive informed policy decisions.
• A robust HTA system enhances transparency in decision-making, supports pricing and reimbursement policies, and ensures sustainable healthcare financing. However, challenges such as the lack of standardized methodologies, insufficient local data, and limited stakeholder engagement hinder its full potential. By learning from international best practices and fostering public-private partnerships, India can create an HTA framework that supports timely access to innovative therapies while ensuring cost-effectiveness.
• This panel discussion aims to highlight key opportunities and challenges in HTA implementation in India, explore global models, and discuss policy interventions to refine HTA frameworks. The insights gathered will inform strategies for integrating HTA into national healthcare policies, ultimately benefiting patients, healthcare providers, and industry stakeholders.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Establishing a standardized, transparent, and adaptable HTA methodology tailored to India's healthcare landscape.
2. Enhancing multi-stakeholder engagement, including industry, academia, and patient advocacy groups, in HTA processes.
3. Strengthening the fast-track regulatory and reimbursement framework for innovative medicines to improve patient outcomes and longevity in India.

Health Literacy in the AI Era

Host : Asian Health Literacy Association

Description :

• Artificial intelligent (AI) is emerged in every aspect of life, especially in healthcare settings. Health literacy (HL) is the core ability of individuals to manage and promote health. People with better HL have better skill to use AI. Better AI generates better information, easier access, and comprehension which improve HL, and then people’s health. We will summarize and present the development of HL and how we promote, advocate HL in Asia, how HL and AI integrate and develop.
• In the digital era, misinformation and disinformation create a big challenge for health care system and governments. Promoting HL is a potential approach to improve the communication and connection between healthcare system and patients.
• Artificial intelligent (AI) AI presents several benefits but also poses challenges for people. It is a tool with 2 sides, good for those who can master it, bad for those who cannot. In our populations, a minority of people can use AI tool. Therefore, in the AI era, the gap of information access and use is bigger in the publics.
• AI health literacy is required for every system and individual in order to promote and improve healthy lifestyle and health outcomes.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Need to advocate role of health literacy in AI era
2. Promotion of health literacy and healthy lifestyle in the AI era
3. Multidisciplinary approaches are required to comprehensively promote HL and apply AI.

Future-Proofing Health Systems: Leveraging Innovative Technologies to Address the Emerging Vulnerabilities

Host : ADB and PATH

Description :

• The world today is at a critical juncture where health systems must be prepared to respond to emerging health threats, including non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and disabilities, climate change, pandemics and zoonotic diseases. Innovative technologies play a crucial role in strengthening system readiness by enabling early detection, proactive measures, and scalable solutions. Technologies such as predictive analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), telemedicine, wearable devices, genomics and precision medicine, automation, and robotics can enhance healthcare access, provide timely interventions, and ensure personalized preventive care while improving efficiency and reducing human error.
• This session is part of ADB-PATH collaboration under the Regional Knowledge and Support Technical Assistance “Strengthening Integrated Primary Healthcare Management of Noncommunicable Diseases” (56072-001) to leverage innovative technologies to improve healthcare systems.
• Traditional models of healthcare delivery often struggle to keep pace with the evolving vulnerabilities such as NCDs, aging populations, climate-related health risks, and the persistent threat of pandemics and zoonotic diseases; necessitating a shift toward technology-driven solutions that enhance resilience, accessibility, and efficiency. However, leveraging innovative technologies requires concerted efforts by Government, development organizations, private sector, philanthropies and donors to create strategic investments, regulatory framework, infrastructure and human resource capabilities along with mechanisms to integrate new age technologies with standardized data collection and interoperability.
• It is also imperative to regularly assess the effectiveness of new technologies and policies in the healthcare system to ensure they are meeting the intended goals and addressing emerging vulnerabilities. This session will highlight key technologies that are shaping the next era of healthcare such as innovative medical devices, Artificial Intelligence, and digital health tools, and discuss how these can be used to build a more resilient, sustainable, and patient-centered system for future-proofing public health. The panel will also hear from experts in the sector about their experiences of preparing health systems for future challenges while embracing technological advancement to guide policy for health systems are adaptable, resilient, and responsive to future challenges.

Public Health Diplomacy: An emerging public health competency towards consensus building, negotiations and multi-lateral partnerships

Host : Global Network for Academic Public Health, University of Memphis School of Public Health

Description :

• Public health is confronted with a range of complex and interconnected challenges, many of which demand solutions that address the broader determinants of health through effective policy action. Diplomacy—the art and practice of negotiation—enables nations to implement foreign policy, safeguard their interests, and foster cooperative relationships. Schools and programs of public health are responsible for educating and training the future public health workforce.
• In the context of global health, there is an urgent call to confront pressing threats by fostering enhanced collaboration, coordination, and communication across diverse sectors and stakeholders. By strengthening health diplomacy at both informal and multistakeholder levels, we can create pathways to improved health outcomes and promote well-being for all. Public Health graduates must develop competencies in Health Diplomacy to confront present and future challenges. This session will explore the critical role of public health diplomacy and highlight the importance of equipping public health students with the competencies -skills, and expertise- needed to navigate this evolving field effectively.
• Expected key policy implications from the session:
  •The need to develop public health diplomacy as a field within public health
  •The need to develop public health diplomacy skills and expertise within public health students.

High Level Panel:Bridging Climate Change, Migration, and Health: A Collective Approach for Sustainable Solutions

Host : WHO SEARO

Description :

• Climate change is increasingly recognized as a significant driver of human mobility, compelling individuals, and communities to relocate due to environmental disruptions. The health implications of climate-induced migration are profound and multifaceted. Displaced populations often encounter heightened health risks, including mental health challenges, exposure to infectious diseases, and limited access to essential healthcare services. Moreover, climate change disproportionately affects the most vulnerable groups, including the poor, women, children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions. These vulnerabilities are exacerbated by the existing strain on health systems in receiving communities.
• While climate-induced displacement affects all countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region, some are more vulnerable that others. Low-lying coastal nations like Bangladesh, Maldives, Indonesia are more at risk from rising sea levels, while mountainous regions such as Nepal face glacier-related disasters. Some countries e.g. Bangladesh have a high population density, making large-scale displacement more disruptive to health services. On the other hand, countries with weaker healthcare systems face greater challenges in managing displaced populations' health needs. Climate change exacerbates existing health challenges, making it critical for policymakers to integrate migration-inclusive health considerations into climate adaptation and migration policies, and vice versa. Strengthening healthcare systems, disaster preparedness, and cross-sectoral policies will be key to protecting vulnerable populations. Addressing the nexus between climate change, migration, and health is also critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Integrating the needs of migrant and displaced populations into national climate and health systems and policies
   a.Strengthening evidence-based understanding of climate-induced displacement by integrating health risk assessments into national and regional policies.
   b.Mainstream migration into national health strategies and climate adaptation plans, ensuring climate displaced populations have equitable access to healthcare services, including preventive care, mental health support, and emergency response.
   c.Strengthen cross-border cooperation to addressing health service delivery for migrants in climate-affected regions.
2. Strengthening health systems to be climate resilient and migration inclusive
   a.Enhance investments in climate-resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and mobile health service delivery to reach displaced populations .
   b.Strengthen health workforce by ensuring healthcare providers are equipped to respond to the needs of displaced populations.
   c.Mobilize climate finance for disaster preparedness, healthcare access for migrants, and long-term adaptation measures.
3. Fostering cross-sectoral collaboration for policy coherence
   a.Promote multisectoral coordination, engaging health, environment, disaster response, social protection, labour, and finance sectors to mitigate the impact of climate-driven migration and
   b. Strengthen multi-stakeholder partnerships with civil society, international organizations, and the private sector to enhance resilience and support displaced communities.
   c. Institutionalize community engagement frameworks and empower communities to actively participate in health emergency preparedness and response to support climate migrants.

Beyond Borders: Financing Neglected Tropical Diseases for Global Health Equity

Host : The German Centre for Research and Innovation (DWIH) & Hertie School, University of Governance

Description :

• Despite significant advances in global health, neglected tropical diseases remain a critical challenge requiring innovative approaches to research, development, and treatment accessibility. The complex interplay between research funding, drug development, and equitable access demands new frameworks for international cooperation. This panel brings together researchers from India and Germany to examine how financing mechanisms, research prioritization, and diplomatic frameworks can be transformed to address neglected tropical diseases more effectively. The discussion explores evidence-based approaches to strengthen global commitments across the entire spectrum - from basic research to drug development and equitable access to treatments.
• In a global health landscape often dominated by high-profile diseases, this expert panel addresses a critical need by examining new approaches to Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). The persistent gap between scientific capability and actual access to treatments represents a significant challenge that requires coordinated international action.
• This distinguished panel brings together world-class experts whose work transcends national boundaries—from establishing cross-continental research networks in Asia and Africa, coordinating multi-country disease elimination programs, analyzing international health financing mechanisms, to building pandemic-response infrastructure with global implications. Their collective expertise spans the complete spectrum from laboratory science to field implementation, providing a comprehensive perspective rarely assembled in discussions of NTDs.
• The panel's focus on effective financing mechanisms, research prioritization, and diplomatic frameworks is especially significant as the global health community seeks sustainable solutions beyond traditional aid models. By examining successful case studies of South-South collaboration alongside innovative North-South partnerships, the discussion will yield actionable insights applicable across diverse geographic and economic contexts.
• The Regional World Health Summit's multi-stakeholder platform offers an opportunity to catalyze new commitments that bridge sectoral divides. This panel will generate concrete recommendations for policymakers, research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and international organizations to collectively address the barriers that have hindered progress on these diseases. The resulting collaborative frameworks can accelerate advancement not only for NTDs but serve as models for addressing other health inequities globally.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Enhanced Research Funding Mechanisms: New financing models targeting neglected tropical diseases through country partnerships, dedicated research pools, and incentives for translating research into accessible treatments.
2. Strengthened South-South-North Collaboration Frameworks: Formalized diplomatic structures facilitating knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and capacity building between affected regions and research-strong nations.
3. Integrated Research-to-Access Pathways: Comprehensive guidelines addressing the entire continuum from research to delivery, including streamlined regulations, equitable IP arrangements, and sustainable supply chains for vulnerable populations.

A different future for drug policies: rejecting punitive frameworks and embracing health-led approaches

Host : Global Commission on Drug Policy

Description :

• Recent years have seen contrasting trends in global drug policy: an increasing shift toward pragmatic, health- and rights-based approaches, juxtaposed with the persistence of punitive frameworks rooted in the international drug control conventions. Punitive approaches have led to harmful consequences, including worsened health outcomes, mass incarceration, and human rights violations, while failing to reduce drug use or production. South and Southeast Asia exemplify these conflicting trends. While some countries in the region are making progress with harm reduction and decriminalization, others maintain harsh penalties and limited health-focused responses. These dynamics underscore the need for scalable, adaptable, and community-centered reforms.
• South and Southeast Asia reflect a critical juncture in global drug policy, showcasing a coexistence of progressive reforms and entrenched punitive measures. Health-focused advancements, such as Iran’s successful opioid agonist therapy (OAT) program and Nepal’s National Master Plan on Drugs, highlight the region’s potential. Similarly, legal reforms in Pakistan and Malaysia on the death penalty for drug-related offenses signal a shift toward more human rights-based approaches. However, punitive policies remain dominant, as seen in Singapore and Iran, where drug-related executions are alarmingly high.
• Harm reduction services present another duality. Some regions achieve high coverage, such as India’s 12 states reaching 95% of people who inject drugs (PWID). Conversely, coverage in states like Assam and countries like Thailand remains inadequate. These gaps are primarily driven by political, financial, and cultural barriers rather than legal constraints.
• For policymakers, this duality emphasizes the need to prioritize scalable harm reduction services and decriminalization to mitigate the health, social, and economic costs of punitive policies. Addressing structural barriers and fostering collaboration between governments, civil society, and international organizations are key to ensuring drug policy reform supports public health, human rights, and sustainable development goals.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Scaling Harm Reduction Services: Governments and stakeholders will prioritize the expansion, diversification, and local adaptation of harm reduction services, such as needle and syringe programs (NSP) and opioid agonist therapy (OAT), to address the health needs of people who use drugs (PWUD).
2. Shifting Away from Punitive Policies: Countries will consider adopting evidence-based, human rights- and public health-centered approaches to drug policy, reducing reliance on punitive measures like incarceration and the death penalty.
3. Addressing Non-Legal Barriers: Policymakers and advocates will recognize the critical importance of tackling political, financial, and cultural barriers to achieving sustainable drug policy reform, fostering greater collaboration between governments, civil society, and affected communities.

Ending Preventable Neonatal Mortality- Evidence to Action

Host : Cochrane India Network

Description :

• India witnesses more than 500,000 new born deaths every year mostly due to complications related to prematurity, birth asphyxia and neonatal sepsis. Many of these are preventable through improved implementation of evidence based practices (EBPs) like high quality antenatal care through identification of high risk pregnancies, management of risk factors like anaemia, efficient labour monitoring and management, facility based and home based newborn care to identify and manage small and vulnerable newborns. Govt. of India has rolled out several programs which include these EBPs. However, surveys and observational studies have identified inadequate coverage, quality and equity of these EBPs due to implementation level gaps which result in poor maternal and neonatal outcomes.
• Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 resolves to end all preventable neonatal mortality globally. India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) aims to achieve a single digit neonatal mortality a national and subnational level by the year 2030. INAP has laid out a roadmap for Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) reduction through several interventions/ EBPs in a life cycle approach. Mid-term review of the INAP revealed disparities between various regions of the country in reduction of NMR. A gap analysis done also revealed implantation gaps. Implementation research (IR) aims to cover the last mile gap between intervention (EBP) and its optimal utilization by the beneficiaries. It is a concerted effort between researchers and implementers of government programs to improve coverage, quality and equity of the EBPs. The optimized implementation models thus developed through IR can be replicated in other regions with similar context.
• The discussion will focus on the experiences of conducting implementation research in Indian context, specially in maternal and newborn care, how existing evidence on implementation strategies can help new implementation researchers, how IR has changed the paradigm for program implementation in India over time, how to cover data collection and utilization gaps on digital platforms. The implication for policy will be a perspective change around planning and operationalization of public health interventions.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Added new scientific perspective of rolling out new Govt. programs in newborn and maternal health through implementation research.
2. Emphasis on documentation of newly generated optimized implementation models.
3. Generation of new ideas for better data collection and utilization in the programs.

Democratizing Global Health Engagement: Amplifying the voices and experiences of the Global South

Host : PATH

Description :

• The Global South, broadly comprising of “developing,” “less developed” or “underdeveloped" countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, face shared challenges, which are often exacerbated by socio-economic inequalities, limited resources, and geopolitical uncertainties. Because of such gaps, countries in these regions have historically found themselves playing a limited role in global health decision-making.
• However, with the Global South rising geopolitically and economically over the last two decades and transitioning to becoming active agents of change within the international order and global governance, this imbalance that needs urgent attention and correction. Additionally, many countries in the Global South have developed innovative solutions, often frugal, that can be scaled up and replicated across regions, which are similar in culture, systems and ways of working.
• This session will advance the deliberations around the Global South’s collective interests and the ways for the Global South to gain adequate negotiating power at the table and push for reform in contemporary global health agenda both vertically and horizontally. The experts will also discuss the collaborative solutions that the Global South entities can foster to common challenges, to strengthen voice of the Global South in international fora and to prepare local champions by empowering the Global South with actionable knowledge.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. This session will contribute to democratizing access to global health knowledge, enhancing the collective voice of the Global South in international health governance, and strengthening regional partnerships by making recommendations for –
2. A more comprehensive and inclusive engagement of the Global South in shaping the global health agenda, thereby ensuring that the Global South’s unique perspectives are integrated into global health decision-making processes,
3. A platform that would translate complex global health issues into accessible formats, ensure stakeholders across the Global South can engage with and understand international policy developments, and
4. Advancing local solutions emerging through South-South exchanges, while contributing to more inclusive and effective global health outcomes.

From Commitment to Action: Accelerating Action to implement the WHA77 Resolution for Maternal and Child Health

Host : PMNCH, WHO SEARO

Description :

• Every day in 2020, almost 800 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth (WHO). Central and Southern Asia accounted for almost 17% of global maternal mortality rates in 2020 (WHO). In addition, of the 4.9 million under-five deaths in 2022, 2.3 million occurred during the first month of life, most of these from preventable causes (UN IGME). However, this burden is unequally distributed. Of the almost 1.9 million stillbirths in 2021, Sub-Saharan Africa and Central and Southern Asia accounted for three-quarters (UN IGME). Currently, 64 countries are off course in meeting the 2030 SDG target for newborn mortality, and 59 countries similarly in meeting the under-5 child mortality target (UN IGME).
• The adoption of the WHA77 resolution “Accelerate progress towards reducing maternal, newborn and child mortality in order to achieve Sustainable Development Goals targets 3.1 and 3.2” is a positive development as progress on women’s and children’s health has stagnated since 2015. Central and Southern Asia are the only regions where progress on reducing under-five mortality has not slowed down between 2015-2022 compared to the MDG era (UN IGME), while in parallel achieving the greatest overall percentage reduction in maternal mortality rates, with a reduction of 67.5% between 2000-2020 (WHO). This global dialogue provides an opportunity to discuss good practices and barriers to accelerate action and to get the goals back on track globally.
• Prioritizing women, children, and adolescents’ health (WCAH), well-being and rights is essential for ensuring health equity. These populations face significant barriers to care and addressing their unique health needs has a transformative impact, not only improving health outcomes but also benefiting future generations. Scaling access to health services and cost-effective interventions in maternal health, and early childhood development are critical for achieving global health and gender equity goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, these issues cannot be considered in isolation and must be addressed in consideration of emerging challenges and opportunities such as digital health & determinants of health, SRHR, AI and climate change.
• Strengthening MNCH contributes to more inclusive, resilient health systems, fosters broader social and economic development, and aligns with global priorities, making it fundamental to universal health coverage and lasting health equity.
• Expected key policy implications from the session:
• Enhanced understanding of existing and emerging challenges (including push-back on rights) to WCAH
• Introduction of new evidence and best practices for advancing MNCH
• Strengthened collaboration and networking among experts, policymakers, civil society, and youth
• Development of a strategic roadmap for SDG implementation and post-2030 priorities
• Production of actionable recommendations for policy and advocacy on MNCH

Migration And Health In A Changing World: The Impact Of Climate Change

Host : World Health Summit Academic Alliance, The Lancet Regional Health – Europe

Description :

• Beyond its direct health impacts, climate change exacerbates population movements and displacement, escalating health risks, disrupting access to healthcare, and affecting the social determinants of health. The WHS Academic Alliance (WHSAA) and The Lancet Regional Health Europe (TLRHE) established a Commission on Health, Migration and Climate Change in 2024. While focusing on the European Context, the Commission is set within a global perspective to examine impacts of climate change on patterns of migration; health needs of migrants and the impacts of climate change; and responses, taking a social determinants of health approach. The session will summarise and discuss the results.
• Climate change is the greatest threat to health in 21st Century and represents an urgent, escalating challenge affecting all populations globally. Climate change, migration and health are individually very complex systems and the intersection of these three systems is also extremely complex. Each system is subject to a multitude of poly-directional connections and channels of influence. Policy-makers, as well as administrators and officials involved in setting and implementing policies related to each of these systems need to be aware of these complexities as they assess present needs, anticipate trends and future needs, and plan their responses.
• The work of the Commission on Climate Change, Migration and Health is being led by four Working Groups, involving over 40 Commissioners drawn from WHO global and regional offices, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), academia and NGOs. They are focusing on (1) the global context: health, migration, and climate change; (2) impacts of climate change on patterns of migration to and within Europe; (3) health needs of migrants: the impacts of climate change; and (4) European responses – a social determinants of health approach. The overall aim is to deepen understanding of the nexus of climate change, migration and health and to highlight trends and challenges that can inform policy options.
• Commission members will present summaries of the findings to date from the Working Groups, set in the context of their own research and experience working in the fields of health, migration and climate change, and will engage in discussion of their policy significance

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Policies will need to be developed to take account of increasing migration within and between countries and regions as a result of climate change.
2. The health of both static populations and those who migrate will be affected in diverse ways, creating needs for adapting the scale of health services, tuning of the content of the services to meet changing patterns of physical and mental health those affected, and revision of the training of health and social service professionals to better meet the needs.
3. Critical data relating to each of the areas of health, migration, and climate change is often lacking. Better provision for collection and collation of data is needed, as well as policies to give greater priority to research on the nexus of these three intersecting systems.

Reaching the last mile: Hurdles of urban healthcare

Host : Apnalaya

Description :

• With the increase in urbanization in India, the intergenerational deprivation, vulnerability, exclusion, and insecurity of the urban poor is on the rise – and will worsen by 2030. Apnalaya’s Health & Disability programme seeks to break the cycle of inter-generational poor health by improving people’s health-seeking behaviour, building capacities of community members and strengthening local health systems. Apnalaya was founded in 1972, with an objective to work with the urban poor enabling access to basic services with a focus on healthcare, education and livelihoods; empowering communities to help themselves and ensuring provision of civic entitlements through engaging with the government. Since its inception Apnalaya through its urban programmes on health, disability, and civic amenities, has reached 225 slum clusters across 7 (M/E, M/W, L, F/N, H/E, K/W and R/S) wards of Mumbai, with an overall reach of ~200,000 population.
• While in existing policy mandates, reaching the last mile is the aim, however there is a lack of contextual solutions to address the current health inequities including financial constraints, lack of awareness regarding health rights, and inadequate infrastructure. These barriers disproportionately affect healthcare access in marginalised communities and lead to high out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, loss of daily wages due to long waiting hours in hospitals, which exacerbate the cycle of poverty.
• The panel discussion aims to explore innovative and sustainable strategies to improve healthcare access for the urban poor which will work within the context. By focusing on health schemes and services granted as entitlements for already marginalised populations and some innovative context-based additions, this discussion seeks to identify actionable solutions that can be implemented at the grassroots level to ensure health justice for all which a special focus on urban poor communities.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Enhanced Focus on Primary Healthcare Infrastructure and health inclusion in Urban Poor Context
   Policy Implication: Governments may prioritize the expansion and strengthening of primary healthcare infrastructure in urban poor areas. This includes increasing the number of Urban Primary Health Centers (UPHCs), deploying mobile health clinics, including preventive, curative, promotive and rehabilitative services to ensure healthcare services are accessible to all
   Expected Outcome: Improved access to quality healthcare services for the urban poor, leading to better health seeking behaviours and reduced pressure on secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.
2. Ensuring and Supporting Community Collective Building
   Policy Implication: Develop community participation avenues and support community-based organizations and networks to facilitate the equitable flow of information regarding healthcare services, rights, and preventive measures through trained CHWs, volunteers and possible tech-based solutionsExpected Outcome: Enhanced awareness and knowledge among urban poor communities about available healthcare services and preventive health practices. This can lead to increased utilization of healthcare services, improved health literacy, and empowered communities capable of advocating for their health needs.

Leveraging digital technologies for population level impact in India

Host : Gates Foundation

Description :

• India has made big strides in its digital health journey, demonstrating global leadership through initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The National Health Authority (NHA) has developed foundational ABDM building blocks, while the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has rolled out ABDM-enabled program platforms/solutions/systems. Given that health is a State subject, several States have also advanced in digitizing healthcare services across the continuum, leveraging the ABDM framework.
  This session will focus on
  Sharing key learnings and progress made around harnessing the power of interoperability and longitudinal health records through ABDM to transform healthcare delivery.
• Highlighting programmatic platforms/solutions/systems and priorities and the need for standardizing programmatic workflows for different healthcare programs, aligning with the focus on efficiency and data-driven decision-making.
• Role of private sector as we leverage ABDM-enabled digital tools/platforms
• Exploring the role of APIs, automation, and capacity-building to reduce manual data entry and enhance system observability.
• Identifying actionable steps to deepen public health impact through digital health technologies.

Scaling Innovations to Improve Nutrition Outcomes – Learnings from South Asia

Host : IPE Global

Description :

• In the Global South, particularly South Asia, malnutrition is a pervasive issue driven by poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to healthcare. These regions face high rates of undernutrition, stunting, and micronutrient deficiencies, which hinder development and perpetuate the cycle of poverty. .Evidence worldwide demonstrates that cash plus behaviour change programs effectively address malnutrition. While Social and Behaviour Change Interventions (SBCI) empower households to make informed decisions, conditional cash transfers act as an effective behaviour catalyst by enforcing health-seeking behaviours and enabling a mental shift in households from survival to planning to make them more receptive to nutrition education.
• Problems like malnutrition are characterised by complexity, interdependence, and resistance to simple solutions. They stem from entrenched collective behaviours and practices influenced by deep-seated cultural norms and beliefs. Cash Plus programs identify these social norms and work to shift them positively through the right conditionalities and tranching of cash benefits, as well as targeted behaviour interventions built on culturally sensitive messaging, storytelling, and community mobilisation. SBCI targets these behaviours by developing evidence-based campaigns and interventions that encourage positive changes, such as healthier dietary habits and feeding practices.
• While culture and socio-economic conditions vary widely across regions, the key drivers of poverty – conflict, climate extremes, economic slowdowns and downturns, and growing hunger – remain consistent across the Global South. Addressing these challenges requires sharing diverse experiences that have proven effective in various contexts. Panels like the one proposed allow for adapting and localizing the Cash benefit design and SBCI. For example, it will discuss program insights on how a state-funded Maternity Benefit Program in Rajasthan layered with Government of India’s PMMVY combines cash transfers with behaviour change to improve dietary diversity and reduce food insecurity over time.
• The panel discussion will include a chair, five experts, and a moderator. The discussion will engage in three key domain areas – 1) insights from successful programs, 2) scaling programs within government systems, and 3) opportunities for wider collaborations and exchange.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Institutionalising cross-sectoral collaboration to ensure integration of health, nutrition, and social protection sectors to contextualise and scale Cash Plus programs effectively.
2. Cash Plus programs prioritize socio-economic and culturally diverse communities, leveraging localised data and community insights for targeted interventions.
3. Implementing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks that allow periodic assessments, adaptive learnings, course corrections, and refinement of the programs to ensure they remain responsive and effective in achieving nutrition outcomes.

Youth Voices in the Fight Against Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Host : UNICEF-HRIDAY

Description :

• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a significant global health challenge, disproportionately affecting young people. The Kigali Youth Declaration, presented at the Global NCD Alliance Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, underscores the urgency of addressing youth concerns and taking action against NCDs, including mental health issues. This session aims to present the Kigali Youth Declaration to a broader audience and encourage participants to carry its message to the Fourth High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (HLM4).
• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), known as the "invisible epidemic," are the leading global cause of death, responsible for 71% of annual fatalities. They disproportionately impact low- and middle-income countries, where 85% of premature deaths (under 70) occur, exacerbating poverty and economic inequities. Annual economic losses from NCDs range from $25 per capita in low-income countries to $139 in upper-middle-income countries. Many NCD risk factors are preventable through interventions across the maternal, paternal, and child health life cycle, from preconception and pregnancy to childhood and adolescence. Childhood NCDs are an urgent public health challenge, with the Global Burden of Disease Study, 2017, reporting 1.1 million cases of Type 1 diabetes, 2.4 million cases of rheumatic heart disease, 305,000 cases of sickle cell disease, and 122 million cases of asthma globally. Diet and lifestyle shifts, including increased consumption of high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt foods, have heightened risks for diet-related NCDs, such as heart disease and diabetes. Preventing these behaviors early is critical to reducing long-term health burdens.
• The session aims at presenting the Kigali Youth Declaration. The panel will share the key points and recommendations from the Kigali Youth Declaration with the World Health Summit audience. The session will Amplify Youth Voices by highlighting the unique challenges and perspectives of young people in the context of NCDs. The session will motivate participants to advocate for the inclusion of youth perspectives in NCD policies at HLM4. The session will foster Global Collaboration. It will promote partnerships between youth, governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to support youth-driven solutions for NCD prevention and control.

Advancing multi-source collaborative surveillance for public health intelligence

Host : WHO SEARO

Description :

• Manging health security threats require critical decision-making despite many uncertainties. One of the key lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies was that the decision making need to be informed by synthesis of multiple sources of information. This is particularly important in emerging health security threats, including pandemics and epidemics that require multi-sectoral solutions; climate change affecting climate-sensitive diseases; and threats arising from human-animal-environment interface.
• Informed by lessons from past emergencies, the regional strategic documents, such as Strategic framework for action for strengthening surveillance, risk assessment and field epidemiology for health security threats in the WHO South-East Asia Region, strongly advocates the use of multiple sources of information for decision-making, or advancing multi-source collaborative surveillance (MSCS), as part of countries’ efforts to strengthen health security systems in the Region.
• At the global level, WHO promote the Collaborative Surveillance as part of the Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience (HEPR). Collaborative surveillance is defined as “the systematic strengthening of capacity and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, both within and beyond the health sector, with the ultimate goal of enhancing public health intelligence and improving evidence for decision making”.
• However, synthesizing information from multiple sources is not always easy. The systems and data are owned by different stakeholders within and beyond the health sector, and mechanisms are not always in place to timely share the information.
• To support countries to operationalize the MSCS, WHO SEARO and WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence developed a regional manual “Informing Public Health Decision-Making with Multisource Collaborative Surveillance: A Step-by- Step Approach”. Indonesia and Nepal took initiatives to implement MSCS, using the regional manual.
• MSCS approaches also strengthens surveillance efforts to address various hazards. These include MOSAIC surveillance framework to address respiratory diseases, and One Health approach for the surveillance to address threats at human-animal-environment interface.
• The session will engage experts working on MSCS approaches for different hazards, and share the lessons learned from respective efforts.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Enhanced recognition and buy-in to advance MSCS approach and improved information sharing among surveillance stakeholders across the sectors
2. Enhanced adoption and integration of innovative surveillance approaches, such as genomic and wastewater surveillance, into national and regional early warning systems
3. Improved capacity for multisource data integration and analysis, enabling evidence-based decision making and risk assessment during public health event/emergencies.

Ministerial Roundtable on Ending Tuberculosis in Asia-Pacific

Host : WHO SEARO, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Stop TB Partnership, Health Innovation Exchange (HIEx), India Health Fund

Description :

• Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health crisis in the Asia-Pacific region, which accounts for nearly 60% of the global TB burden. Despite advancements in detection, treatment, and prevention, significant challenges persist—including drug-resistant TB, underdiagnosis, funding shortfalls, and health system weaknesses. Climate change will further exacerbate the challenges and could undermine the progress made to date.
• India, Indonesia, and Bangladesh are among the top five highest TB burden countries worldwide with India and Indonesia alone accounting for nearly 40% of global TB cases.
• Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a growing concern, with Asia-Pacific bearing the highest burden.
• Funding gaps continue to hinder progress as domestic and international resources fall short of meeting the financing needs for TB programs.
• Universal Health Coverage (UHC) cannot be achieved without ending TB. As a leading infectious disease killer, TB disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, undermining equity, access to care, and economic growth. Addressing TB is critical to strengthening health systems, ensuring health security, and fostering sustainable development.
• The Asia-Pacific region has the potential to lead a transformative response to TB by leveraging technology, financing innovations, and regional collaboration. High levels of political commitment across the region (for example, India, Indonesia, Philippines placing ending TB as a priority) provides an opportunity to harness the unique strengths of the region. This Ministerial Roundtable on Ending TB will focus on innovative financing for TB and investing in innovation with emphasis on:
• Innovative Financing for TB – Strengthening domestic and international investment in TB programs, with India, Indonesia and the Philippines as case studies.
• Investing in Innovation for scale and impact – showcasing and exploring how TB care can be accelerated by investing in innovations, addressing data gaps, use of AI, digital health, rapid diagnostics, and treatment breakthroughs.
• This high-level session will explore bold strategies to scale technology, secure financing, and strengthen political commitment toward ending TB.

Building Competencies in the In-Service Primary Healthcare Workforce

Host : Health Systems Transformation Platform (HSTP)

Description :

• Competency gaps among in-service healthcare providers hinder effective primary healthcare delivery across India. A study by the Harvard School of Public has assessed the competencies of the primary health care team (Yip et al., 2022). It entails that– only 40% of providers were able to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) correctly. At a pan-India level, evidence reveals gaps in clinical skills, treatment protocols, and adherence to standard treatment guidelines. Additionally, triage and referral protocols must be percolated up to the ground level. Bridging these gaps through competency-based training is critical to strengthen healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and achieve the goals of universal health coverage (UHC).
• The Indian healthcare system is transitioning towards competency-based medical education (CBME) to produce skilled professionals equipped for contemporary challenges. However, studies reveal notable gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and leadership competencies across primary healthcare cadres, particularly in rural and low-resource settings. Nationally, only 30–50% of healthcare workers adhere to standard treatment guidelines, and a lack of structured training exacerbates inefficiencies.
• A survey in one of the Indian states highlights significant gaps in diagnostic accuracy and treatment adherence among primary healthcare staff, which hinders quality care delivery. Recognizing the gap, HSTP has initiated competency-building programs focusing on structured training for key primary healthcare cadres. Partnering with the Government and leading institutions, the initiative developed a robust competency assessment framework and completed pilot evaluations in sample districts. These findings are pivotal for scaling up competency-based training programs across the state. Similar patterns are seen pan-India, with a fragmented approach to competency assessment and training, the HSTP model delivers a cohesive and scalable solution designed for nationwide deployment. Also, machine learning/AI can be utilized to analyse performance patterns, forecast learning needs, and enhance training efficiency through data-driven recommendations.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Integration of structured competency-based training frameworks into state health systems for enhanced primary care delivery.
2. Development of a monitoring and evaluation system to assess and improve workforce competency over time.
3. Policy recommendations for scaling up competency-based interventions at the national level to address gaps in healthcare delivery.

Do we need a Masters in Digital Health?

Host : Ashoka University, Yale, Centre for Chronic Disease Control

Description :

• Advances in digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), are revolutionizing healthcare by enabling precise diagnostics and personalized treatments. Integrating diverse data sources—such as electronic health records, imaging, genomics, wearable biosensors, and environmental factors—provides unprecedented insights into patient care. However, these innovations require skilled professionals who can effectively interpret, manage, and apply complex datasets. Without such expertise, the risk of inaccuracies and inequities in care increases. Recognizing this need, experts propose establishing a standardized master’s degree in digital health (MDH), modeled after the successful master of public health (MPH) program, to provide the structured education necessary to integrate these technologies responsibly.
• Healthcare systems worldwide face a critical shortage of professionals trained to harness the full potential of advanced digital health technologies. Current educational pathways often lack the focused, interdisciplinary training required to address challenges posed by big data, AI-driven diagnostics, and precision medicine. As these technologies rapidly evolve, the need for a well-defined curriculum that bridges technical expertise, ethical considerations, and healthcare practice has become increasingly apparent. A standardized master of digital health (MDH) degree offers a policy-level solution to this gap, ensuring that practitioners are equipped with the skills to implement innovative tools effectively and equitably.
• From a policy perspective, establishing an MDH program aligns with broader goals of improving healthcare quality, reducing disparities, and ensuring sustainable adoption of advanced technologies. A formalized curriculum provides a scalable model for training the next generation of healthcare professionals in data governance, ethical AI deployment, and equitable access to digital innovations. By emphasizing cross-disciplinary education, the MDH would help mitigate potential harms—such as biases in AI algorithms or inappropriate use of digital interventions—while empowering healthcare systems to make informed, evidence-based decisions. Investing in such a program supports a proactive policy approach to modernizing the workforce and safeguarding the ethical integration of digital health tools into patient care.

Migration And Health In A Changing World: The Impact Of Climate Change

Host : World Health Summit Academic Alliance, The Lancet Regional Health – Europe

Description :

• Beyond its direct health impacts, climate change exacerbates population movements and displacement, escalating health risks, disrupting access to healthcare, and affecting the social determinants of health. The WHS Academic Alliance (WHSAA) and The Lancet Regional Health Europe (TLRHE) established a Commission on Health, Migration and Climate Change in 2024. While focusing on the European Context, the Commission is set within a global perspective to examine impacts of climate change on patterns of migration; health needs of migrants and the impacts of climate change; and responses, taking a social determinants of health approach. The session will summarise and discuss the results.
• Climate change is the greatest threat to health in 21st Century and represents an urgent, escalating challenge affecting all populations globally. Climate change, migration and health are individually very complex systems and the intersection of these three systems is also extremely complex. Each system is subject to a multitude of poly-directional connections and channels of influence. Policy-makers, as well as administrators and officials involved in setting and implementing policies related to each of these systems need to be aware of these complexities as they assess present needs, anticipate trends and future needs, and plan their responses.
• The work of the Commission on Climate Change, Migration and Health is being led by four Working Groups, involving over 40 Commissioners drawn from WHO global and regional offices, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), academia and NGOs. They are focusing on (1) the global context: health, migration, and climate change; (2) impacts of climate change on patterns of migration to and within Europe; (3) health needs of migrants: the impacts of climate change; and (4) European responses – a social determinants of health approach. The overall aim is to deepen understanding of the nexus of climate change, migration and health and to highlight trends and challenges that can inform policy options.
• Commission members will present summaries of the findings to date from the Working Groups, set in the context of their own research and experience working in the fields of health, migration and climate change, and will engage in discussion of their policy significance

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Policies will need to be developed to take account of increasing migration within and between countries and regions as a result of climate change.
2. The health of both static populations and those who migrate will be affected in diverse ways, creating needs for adapting the scale of health services, tuning of the content of the services to meet changing patterns of physical and mental health those affected, and revision of the training of health and social service professionals to better meet the needs.
3. Critical data relating to each of the areas of health, migration, and climate change is often lacking. Better provision for collection and collation of data is needed, as well as policies to give greater priority to research on the nexus of these three intersecting systems.
4. Co-Chairs -
5. Luciano Saso
6. Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
7. Stephen Matlin
8. Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London, UK

Kala-azar free future: India’s story of success and sustainability

Host : World Health Organization (WHO SEARO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India), Indian Council of Medical Education and Research, Gates Foundation, Global Health Strategies, Project Concern International, PATH, Piramal Foundation

Description :

• India has significantly reduced Kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis) incidence and mortality, reaching the elimination threshold in 2023 (<1 case/10,000 population). Success was driven by political commitment, intensified implementation, strong partnerships, and donor support. However, challenges remain in surveillance, data use, vector control, and program management. To sustain elimination, India’s Kala-azar elimination program (KAEP) must maintain active case detection, manage cases (including co-infections and relapses), and implement vector control. Long-term sustainability requires socioeconomic development, improved living conditions, efficient surveillance, and operational research aligned with evolving disease epidemiology. Continued efforts are essential to validate and sustain elimination.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Sustaining Political Commitment and Funding: Ensure continued political commitment and domestic/international funding to maintain KA elimination efforts, particularly in high-burden states like Bihar and Jharkhand.
2. Action: Establish long-term budgetary allocations and multi-stakeholder partnerships to support KA programs post-elimination.
3. Strengthening Surveillance and Data Systems: Enhance real-time surveillance systems like KAMIS (KA Management Information System) to detect and respond to potential outbreaks promptly.
4. Action: Invest in digital health infrastructure, capacity building for data utilization, and integration with broader health information systems.
5. Preventing Resurgence through Robust Response Mechanisms: Develop and implement early warning systems and rapid response protocols to address the risk of KA resurgence.
6. Action: Strengthen health systems at the grassroots level, ensuring timely case detection, treatment, and vector control interventions.
7. Integrated Vector Management (IVM) and Environmental Improvements: Sustain and scale up vector control measures, including IRS and housing improvements, to prevent vector breeding.
8. Action: Align KA elimination efforts with national programs like Swachh Bharat Mission and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna-Gramin to improve living conditions.
9. Operational Research and Innovation: Prioritize operational research to address emerging challenges, such as drug resistance, changing epidemiology, and co-infections (e.g., KA-HIV).
10. Action: Foster collaborations between national institutes, international partners, and research organizations to drive innovation in diagnostics, treatment, and vector control.
11. Inter-Sectoral Collaboration and Advocacy: Strengthen collaboration between health and non-health sectors (e.g., housing, sanitation, education) to address social determinants of KA.
12. Action: Develop integrated policies and programs that leverage inter-sectoral synergies for sustainable elimination.
13. Global and Regional Knowledge Sharing: Share India’s successful strategies and lessons learned with other KA-endemic countries in the WHO South-East Aia Region.
14. Action: Establish regional platforms for knowledge exchange, technical assistance, and collaborative research to support global KA elimination goals.

Critical Conversations – Bridging Gaps in Healthcare Communication

Host : Dr SN Basu, Member, Governing Council, NBEM; Principal Director & HOD, Obst & Gyn, Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi

Description :

• Effective communication is at the heart of quality healthcare. Beyond clinical protocols and technical expertise, how we listen, speak, and connect has a profound impact on healing, trust, adherence, and patient outcomes. In today’s complex and high-pressure healthcare environments, communication gaps can lead to missed diagnoses, patient dissatisfaction, emotional distress, and even preventable medical errors. This session, Critical Conversations – Bridging Gaps in Healthcare Communication, brings to light the human side of healthcare by exploring the nuanced, powerful, and often underemphasized elements of communication in clinical and community settings.
• The session will explore five interconnected sub-themes that reflect the depth and breadth of healthcare communication. More Than Medicine: The Art of Listening, Speaking and Healing will emphasize the therapeutic value of compassionate communication and the importance of empathy in clinical encounters. Emotions in Healthcare Communication will delve into the emotional labor of healthcare providers, patient vulnerability, and strategies to navigate emotionally charged situations with sensitivity and professionalism.
• Breaking Bad News—a particularly delicate and often undertrained aspect of healthcare—will be explored through real-world examples and best-practice frameworks, helping providers deliver life-altering news with dignity and care. Closing the Gap on Medical Errors will underscore the critical role of honest, transparent, and timely communication in preventing and managing errors, while also rebuilding trust with patients and families.
• Finally, The Critical Role of Community Media in Healthcare Communication will look beyond the clinic to discuss how radio, local newspapers, social media, and other community platforms can bridge gaps in health literacy, combat misinformation, and build trust within diverse populations—especially in remote, marginalized, and underserved communities.
• With a focus on both interpersonal and system-level change, this session will feature healthcare professionals, communication experts, patient advocates, and community media representatives. Together, they will highlight training innovations, policy recommendations, and grassroots strategies that can elevate communication as a core pillar of effective healthcare delivery.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Institutionalization of Communication Training in Health Workforce Development: Integration of structured communication training—including emotional intelligence, empathy, and difficult conversations—into medical and nursing curricula and continuing professional development.
2. Mandatory Protocols for Transparent Communication Around Medical Errors and Adverse Events: Development of institutional policies that promote a culture of openness, patient-centered disclosure, and non-punitive responses to error reporting.
3. Strategic Engagement of Community Media for Health Literacy and Trust-Building: Policy support for partnerships with community media to disseminate accurate health information, address misinformation, and strengthen public trust in health systems.

Leveraging Digital Health platforms to ensure equity and inclusion

Host : UNDP

Description :

• Digital health platforms have emerged as powerful tools to transform healthcare delivery, offering the potential to bridge access gaps, streamline services, and personalize care. However, while these technologies hold immense promise, they can also reinforce existing inequities if issues of digital access, literacy, representation, and inclusion are not addressed from the outset. This session, Leveraging Digital Health Platforms to Ensure Equity and Inclusion, explores how digital transformation in health can be designed and deployed to leave no one behind.
• The session will examine the role of digital platforms—such as telehealth, electronic health records, mobile health apps, and AI-powered decision support systems—in expanding access to underserved populations including women, persons with disabilities, the elderly, indigenous communities, migrants, and people living in remote or conflict-affected areas. It will spotlight innovations that have successfully reduced barriers related to geography, stigma, and affordability, while also enabling real-time data collection and continuity of care.
• Panelists will include digital health entrepreneurs, government officials, community health workers, patients, and researchers who are actively building and using inclusive technologies. The conversation will also address the digital divide—highlighting the need for equitable infrastructure development, culturally appropriate platforms, and policies that ensure access to devices, data, and digital literacy training for all segments of the population.
• A critical focus will be on participatory design and community co-creation, ensuring that digital tools are informed by the lived experiences of the communities they intend to serve. Ethical considerations such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and accessibility standards will also be central to the discussion.
• This session aims to foster a dialogue that balances innovation with inclusion, encouraging stakeholders to adopt a rights-based and equity-driven approach to digital health. By sharing case studies, policy innovations, and frameworks for inclusive digital health ecosystems, the session will help chart a roadmap for sustainable and just digital transformation in health.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Equity-First Digital Health Policy Frameworks: Endorsement of national and regional digital health strategies that explicitly prioritize equity, inclusion, and the needs of marginalized populations in the design and deployment of digital platforms.
2. Public Investment in Inclusive Digital Infrastructure and Digital Literacy: Commitment to invest in affordable internet access, user-friendly platforms, and digital health literacy programs targeting underserved and digitally excluded groups.
3. Standards and Safeguards for Ethical, Accessible, and Culturally Appropriate Technologies: Development of guidelines to ensure digital health tools are inclusive, respect privacy, minimize bias, and are accessible across diverse linguistic, cultural, and ability contexts.

AI-Driven Conversational Solutions for Tobacco Cessation and Health Promotion for Prevention and Management of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Host : Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), IIT-Bombay, TATA Memorial

Description :

• Tobacco cessation initiatives in India under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), including Tobacco Cessation Centers (TCCs), National Tobacco Quitline Services (NTQLS), mCessation, and others, have significantly progressed in addressing tobacco-related mortality and morbidity. However, evaluations of these services highlighted challenges, including inadequate counselling facilities, high dropout rates, unreliable connectivity, and limited counsellors’ availability, resulting in low service utilization. Existing smartphone-based applications face challenges like decreased engagement and language barriers. These gaps necessitate innovative, AI-driven cessation solutions to enhance quit attempts for both smoking and smokeless tobacco users.
• Tobacco cessation remains a key priority under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) in India. However, existing cessation services face significant operational challenges, including limited human resources, high dropout rates, unreliable connectivity, and inadequate follow-up mechanisms. While digital interventions have demonstrated potential, many existing solutions lack adherence to clinical guidelines, fail to provide personalized support, and struggle with sustained user engagement. To bridge this gap, Project CARE (Comprehensive AI-powered ConveRsational IntErface to Quit Tobacco) is being conducted by the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) in collaboration with NIMHANS, Tata Memorial Centre (Mumbai), Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute (Assam), and IIT-Bombay. CARE leverages a Generative AI conversational interface to deliver personalized cessation support, including tailored quit plans, behavioral counseling, motivational messaging, and progress tracking. Designed to cater to both smoking and smokeless tobacco users, the interface provides multilingual support, ensuring accessibility across diverse populations in both urban and rural settings. The primary outcomes will be successful quit attempts, and increased intention to quit among tobacco users and the secondary outcome will be increased acceptability, usability and user engagement with an AI-based conversational interface. CARE will enhance existing TCC and NTQLS services by maintaining user engagement through continuous support and proactive notifications. By addressing the limitations of traditional cessation services, CARE aligns with national health priorities to reduce tobacco use and its related disease burden. This innovation in digital health can inform policy frameworks on integrating AI-based solutions into public health systems, potentially expanding its application to other risk factor modifications.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. This session will serve as a critical platform for discussion, featuring eminent speakers and dignitaries from ICMR, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and leading research institutions, who will deliberate on the integration of AI-driven solutions in tobacco cessation services. This session aims to provide actionable policy recommendations for integrating AI-powered cessation solutions into national and global public health strategies, ensuring a sustainable, scalable, and effective approach to reducing tobacco use and its associated health burden.
2. The AI-based conversational interface developed through ICMR-funded Project CARE (Comprehensive AI-powered ConveRsational IntErface to Quit Tobacco) will address the needs of both smoking and smokeless tobacco users, cater to rural and urban populations, and provide multilingual support in regional languages.
3. AI-based conversational interface has the potential to significantly enhance the services provided by the Tobacco Cessation Centres (TCCs) and National Tobacco Quitline Services (NTQLS) and address lost cases.
4. The AI-based conversational interface, developed and validated through Project CARE, has the potential for global scalability, especially in Southeast Asia, where smokeless tobacco (SLT) use is prevalent across more than 127 countries.

Scaling digital health solutions till last mile

Host : UNDP

Digitalization: Role as a Transformative Catalyst in High Risk Pregnancy for Optimizing Maternal Healthcare

Host : JHPIEGO & Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)

Description :

• As we stand at a pivotal moment in the global transformation of healthcare, the digitalization of maternal health services presents a unique opportunity to drive generational change in public health systems worldwide. Maternal healthcare, particularly in resource-constrained settings, is poised for innovation through digital solutions, offering new pathways to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
• India's journey in addressing high-risk pregnancies, which account for approximately 20-30% of all pregnancies in the country, exemplifies both the challenges and opportunities in maternal healthcare digitalization. With nearly 30 million pregnancies annually and a significant proportion requiring specialized care, India's experience in leveraging digital solutions offers valuable insights for maternal health innovation. Evidence from India's digital health initiatives demonstrates significant impact-the RCH Portal has tracked over 120 million pregnancies and childcare cases, while ANMOL improved frontline delivery in 28 states, approximately 1.83 lakh ANMs have been registered and eSanjeevani facilitated 10+ million telemedicine consultations during COVID-19 and beyond.
• Building on the momentum of significant developments both in India and across the world, this panel will explore how Point-of-Care (PoC) devices, Internet of Things (IoT), and digital innovations can revolutionize maternal care delivery, and outcomes particularly in resource-constrained settings. India's success in reducing maternal mortality, especially in managing high-risk conditions like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and maternal anemia, demonstrates the transformative potential of technology in maternal healthcare.
• Globally, other nations have made notable strides in integrating digital health solutions. In Botswana, mobile health platforms have helped increase access to antenatal care and remote monitoring, which has been crucial in managing high-risk pregnancies in rural areas. In Bangladesh, the use of IoT-enabled devices has allowed healthcare providers to remotely monitor pregnant women, especially in hard-to-reach regions. These innovations have not only helped in identifying complications early but have also facilitated better coordination between healthcare workers and pregnant women, leading to improved maternal health outcomes
• As India continues with pioneering initiatives like Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), the country's innovative approaches, such as the integration of digital health technologies for antenatal screening, real-time monitoring of high-risk pregnancies through IoT devices, and the digitalization of the Vatsalya Programme for better child welfare tracking and resource management, offer valuable lessons to be shared.

Digital Health Accreditation for Advancing Quality, Standardization, and Excellence: Best Practices from India

Description :

• The rapid adoption of digital health solutions, including Hospital Information Systems (HIS) and Electronic Health Records (EHR), necessitates robust quality standards and accreditation frameworks to ensure interoperability, security, and efficiency. India has pioneered digital health accreditation models, offering valuable insights for cross-regional learning. Through structured frameworks, public-private partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives, India’s experience demonstrates how standardized digital health accreditation can enhance healthcare quality and patient safety. This session will explore the relevance of accreditation, India’s best practices, pathways for implementation, and the role of advocacy in fostering a global digital health ecosystem grounded in quality and standardization.
• As digital health ecosystems expand globally, the need for standardized accreditation frameworks becomes imperative to ensure quality, security, and interoperability. Countries across the Global South face challenges in harmonizing digital health standards, particularly in EHR adoption, HIS integration, and patient data governance. Without standardized accreditation, fragmented digital health deployments can lead to data silos, security risks, and inefficiencies in health service delivery.
• India’s digital health transformation—anchored in initiatives like Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH)—offers a scalable model for digital health quality assurance. The country’s experience highlights best practices in accreditation processes, HIS/EHR standardization, and private-public collaboration that can serve as a blueprint for other nations

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Institutionalizing digital health accreditation frameworks to enhance quality, standardization, and interoperability in healthcare systems.
2. Strengthening private-public partnerships to drive the adoption and operationalization of accreditation for HIS/EHR systems.
3. Advocating for capacity-building initiatives that equip healthcare institutions, policymakers, and technology providers with the knowledge and tools to implement digital health accreditation successfully.

Fostering Healthy School Food Environments and Holistic Well-Being at the National and Regional Level: Let's Fix Our Food

Host : PHFI, UNICEF India, UNICEF Srilanka, ICMR- National Institute of Nutrition; Deakin University

Description :

• Overweight and obesity among Indian adolescents, affecting 4.9% of boys and 4.7% of girls aged 10–19, (CNNS -2016-2018) are linked to excessive intake of unhealthy foods and micronutrient deficiencies. In line with the Indian Prime Minister’s campaign to Fight Obesity, engaging children and adolescents through school settings becomes imperative. Since children spend considerable time, in school, this setting plays a vital role in shaping dietary habits. Addressing malnutrition through healthier school food environments requires policy interventions. UNICEF's Nutrition Environment Assessment Toolkit for Schools (NEAT-S) aims to assess and improve schools’ food environments, promoting access to nutritious options for students.
• Collecting and analysing data on school nutrition environments is essential for identifying opportunities to enhance nutrition and addressing the dual burden of undernutrition and overnutrition among children and adolescents. Schools are pivotal in shaping dietary habits, as children consume a significant portion of their daily energy intake there. Comprehensive school-based food and nutrition guidelines can tackle micronutrient deficiencies, foster healthy eating habits early in life, and promote long-term well-being. Educating and Involving the school community including students, parents, teachers, and administrators is critical for the success of these initiatives. Engaging students meaningfully in activities like gardening or cooking classes fosters a hands-on understanding of nutritious foods. Moreover, involving the school community ensures better implementation of policies and creates a supportive environment for healthy choices. By empowering schools to act as hubs for nutritional improvement, we can lay a strong foundation for healthier generations, reduce future health risks, and improve overall quality of life. The PHFI in collaboration with UNICEF and ICMR-NIN along with consortium partners - the Institute of Economic Growth, Lady Irwin College, Deakin University, and the World Obesity Federation, launched the 'Let's Fix Our Food' (LFOF) initiative to create a health-promoting norms among adolescents, in families, homes, and communities. This collaborative effort raises collective awareness of nutritional challenges, creates a shared vision for addressing malnutrition, and ensures a comprehensive approach to addressing the triple burden of malnutrition in India. NEAT-S is being adopted and piloted in schools of Noida and Ghaziabad under LFOF initiative.

Expected key policy implications from the session :

1. Empowering youth meaningfully in promoting healthier eating practices.
2. Effective Implementation of regulations to support and encourage people to choose and adopt healthier diets and lifestyles.
3. Strategies to address key drivers of obesity at the national level for effective prevention of overweight/ obesity.