79th World Health Assembly Side Event
Smart Healthcare and Health System Innovation
Artificial Intelligence Enabling People-Centred and Integrated Digital Health
Registration Closed
Registration for this event has now closed. For more information and event highlights, please click below.
Organizers and Strategic Partners
This side event is organized by MediBridges EurAsia in collaboration with leading international and academic partners.
School of Public Health, Fudan University
Shanghai Soft Science Research Base
Zhejiang Urban Governance Studies Center
School of Global Health, University of Geneva
About the Event
This high-level side event explores how artificial intelligence and digital technologies can support people-centred, integrated, and sustainable health systems.
It brings together policymakers, health system leaders, researchers, and international experts to exchange knowledge, share practical experience, and discuss innovative policy solutions for the future of healthcare delivery.
Background
Health systems worldwide are facing major structural challenges, including population ageing, rising chronic disease burdens, workforce shortages, and increasing costs.
At the same time, rapid advances in artificial intelligence and digital health technologies are creating new opportunities to transform care delivery, improve efficiency, and enhance patient outcomes.
Objectives of the Session
- Explore how artificial intelligence can strengthen health and long-term care systems.
- Share international policy experiences and innovative care models.
- Promote people-centred and integrated digital health solutions.
- Foster global collaboration among policymakers, experts, and institutions.
Event Type: Official Side Event of the 79th World Health Assembly
Date & Time: Wednesday, 20 May 2026 | 14:00–18:00
Venue: Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva (Campus Biotech)
Chemin des Mines 9, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Expected Participants: Approximately 200
Working Languages: Chinese and English (simultaneous interpretation)
Distinguished Speakers
Beatrice FERRARI
GEISSBUHLER Antoine
RAY Nicolas
PUJARI Sameer
AGERSNAP Louise
Director
WHO Innovation Hub
FRANGOS Emilia
MOLINA Carlos
Department of the Stroke Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona
KEISER Olivia
Infectious Diseases and Mathematical Modelling
(UNIGE)
MICHIELIN Olivier
LOVIS Christian
(HUG)
LUO Li
School of Public Health, Fudan University
CHEN Xin
ZHU Chouwen
JIANG Hua
PAN Zheng
TAO Rong
XU Yanyi
WANG Gang
WANG Dahui
NING Zhen
ZANG Jiajie
ZHANG Tiantian
ZHANG Junjie
SUN Xiaorong
Programme
All times are in Geneva time (CET). Programme subject to change.
Moderator: Professor Yan Yi Xu
- Sameer Pujari, Technical Officer for Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence, World Health Organization
- Louise Agersnap, Director, WHO Innovation Hub
- Beatrice Ferrari, Director of International Affairs, Geneva
- Antoine Geissbuhler, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva
- Hongming Zhu, Director, Health Development Research Center, National Health Commission of China
- Li Luo, Dean, School of Public Health, Fudan University
- Carlos Molina, Professor, Barcelona University Hospital
Topic: Large AI Models and Multi-Center Clinical Research - Hua Jiang, President, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University
Topic: Smart Healthcare Advances in China’s Leading Specialty Hospitals - Zheng Pan, Vice President, Health Cloud Digital Technology Co., Ltd.
Topic: Internet Healthcare and Digital Health Districts in China - Emilia Frangos, Director General, Geneva Institution for Home Care and Assistance (IMAD)
Topic: Technology as an Enabling Factor in Home Care Services
Panelists
- Chouwen Zhu (Moderator)
- Rong Tao
- Dahui Wang
- Junjie Zhang
- Xiaorong Sun
Keynote sessions
Moderator: Professor Yan Yi Xu
- Xin Chen, Director, Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Topic: Smart Development of Public Health Systems in China’s Leading Cities - Olivier Michielin, Professor, Geneva University Hospitals
Topic: Artificial Intelligence Applications in Precision Oncology - Nicolas Ray, Professor, Global Health Institute, University of Geneva
Topic: Building Health Networks through Spatial and Digital Technologies - Christian LOVIS, Professor, Geneva University Hospitals
Topic: Healthcare Data Interoperability, Governance, and Trust Mechanisms - Tiantian Zhang, Associate Professor, School of Public Health, Fudan University
Topic: Taking Responsibility for One’s Own Health: China’s Health Credit Theory and Practice
Roundtable Discussion
Discussion Focus:Challenges facing health systems in the AI era and pathways for transformation
Panelists:
- Chouwen ZHU(Modertor)
- Zhen Ning
- Jiajie ZANG
- Olivier Keiser
- Gang Wang
Conclusions and outlook
- Nicolas Ray
- Li Luo
Event Highlights
Event Type: Official Side Event of the 79th World Health Assembly
Date & Time: Wednesday, 20 May 2026 | 14:00–18:00
Venue: Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva (Campus Biotech)
Chemin des Mines 9, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Expected Participants: Approximately 200
Working Languages: Chinese and English (simultaneous interpretation)
Registration & Contact
For participation inquiries or registration, please contact:
Email: pinglei@medibridgeseurasia.ch
Website: www.medibridgeseurasia.ch
Registration for this event has now closed.
Thank you for your interest in the 79th World Health Assembly Side Event: Smart Healthcare and Health System Innovation.
To learn more about the event and its outcomes, please visit our Event Highlights page and access the conference materials below.
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