At the World Health Summit (WHS), experts from a wide range of disciplines came together under the leadership of Prof. Gülsah Gabriel and Prof. Klaus Lieb. Their discussions went beyond sharing knowledge—they laid the groundwork for stronger preparation against future health crises.
Dr. Meral Akçay, Head of the Global Influenza Program at Sanofi, underscored that influenza affects far more than the respiratory system, drawing attention to its links with cardiovascular disease. She highlighted the critical role of vaccination in reducing this burden and called for a holistic approach to epidemic and pandemic preparedness.
Prof. Carmen Scheibenbogen, Head of the Immunodeficiency Outpatient Clinic at Charité Berlin, addressed the ongoing challenge of long COVID and current treatment strategies. She emphasized its status as a global health concern and presented evidence that vaccination can also reduce the risk of developing long COVID.
Prof. Anke Witteveen, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, spoke about the pandemic’s impact on mental health, identifying young people—particularly women and individuals with a migrant background—as especially vulnerable. She stressed that these insights must inform future crisis planning to ensure mental health systems are equipped to meet population needs.
Prof. Azeb Asaminew Alemu, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, outlined the severe strains COVID-19 placed on mental health care in her country. She described how the pandemic exacerbated existing challenges and required innovative approaches to reach those most affected.
Dr. Bart Janssens, Director of Learning and Innovation at the newly established WHO Academy in Lyon, introduced the institution’s mission to advance lifelong learning for more resilient health systems. He emphasized the importance of education and continuous professional development as key components of pandemic preparedness.
Together, the contributions made clear that pandemic response cannot be addressed from a single perspective. Integrating medical, social, and psychological expertise is essential for building resilient systems capable of meeting future health challenges.
About the World Health Summit
The World Health Summit is one of the world’s leading conferences on global health, held every October in Berlin. It brings together decision-makers, researchers, industry leaders, and organizations from across sectors to address pressing healthcare challenges and explore solutions. Serving as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, the summit highlights innovative approaches and fosters partnerships aimed at strengthening health systems worldwide and improving preparedness for future crises.
