Coming together in response to Covid at the IHF Virtual Forum
Collaboration heralded as a key mechanism that will help move the global healthcare community forward at the IHF Virtual Forum
Hosted by the International Hospital Federation (IHF) as an online forum during the first week of November 2020, the IHF Virtual Forum featured 90 speakers across 32 sessions – all of which focused on how the industry could learn from the challenges thrown out by the global pandemic.
“I believe that the best lesson we are learning from this pandemic is that, through collaboration, we can help each other,” said Dr Risto Miettunen, President of International Hospital Federation, during the opening ceremony. “We will have a lot of lessons to take away from this forum, but the best one is knowing that we have a community working together against the pandemic.”
Agenda focuses on the response to Covid
Day one of the ‘Learning from COVID-19, Transforming Health Services’ forum covered a range of topics, including the digital response to Covid, the importance of collaboration, and how facilities were able to uphold patient safety and maintain essential services. Other sessions assessed the importance of leadership in a time of crisis, while also exploring what Covid-19 has revealed about the power of female leadership.
Day two had more of a healthcare infrastructure focus, with topics spanning funding; how hospitals themselves should evolve going forward; and the effective management of supply chains. It also delved into issues of accessibility in patient care, as well as looking at the health and wellbeing of hospital staff. Finally, the forum addressed what the ‘new normal’ was likely to be for hospitals going beyond the global pandemic.
The IHF Virtual Forum also played host to a discussion on the role of hospital associations during the global pandemic. Attended by hospital association representatives, these looked at the important role that hospitals had to play during and beyond the crisis.
Looking forward to the 44th World Hospital Congress
“We hope you enjoyed the event as much as we did,” said the IHF, following the closing ceremony. “We look forward to seeing you in-person at the 44th World Hospital Congress in Barcelona next year!”
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