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Inspiring Global Collaboration: The 2nd World Patients Conference in Cape Town

Published: 29 October 2024
Updated: 29 October 2024
World Patients Conference in Cape Town

Our Founder and Executive Director, Anil Patil, reflects on his time at 2nd World Patients Conference in Cape Town this month.

I was invited by the World Patients Alliance, to speak at their 2nd World Patients Conference (WPC) in Cape Town.

They wanted me to share the issues and challenges that unpaid carers face in low- and middle-income countries, to shine a spotlight on the vital role of carers and the need for their recognition and support, and to talk about our work and its impact.

The conference was remarkable - a beacon of hope and a gathering of hearts, minds, and voices committed to a shared goal: improving the lives of patients and unpaid carers globally. Patient advocates, healthcare professionals, and unpaid carers from around the world came together to share their insights and foster collaboration. Held over two inspiring days, the conference highlighted the importance of patient-centered care, healthcare access, and caregiving in today’s complex health landscape.

I’d like to share a few of my highlights from the conference with you…

Caregiving - A Global Perspective

In my presentation, I looked at the "Challenges, Rewards, and Resilience" of the caregiving journey. I emphasised that while caregiving can be immensely rewarding, it also brings significant challenges, such as emotional fatigue, lack of resources, and the need for continuous resilience. My message underscored the urgent need for structural support systems to help unpaid family carers maintain their well-being while performing their vital roles.

I was touched by the feedback I received, many people coming to tell me that they had not thought about unpaid carers in this way before, and that they found our work inspiring. The conference made a concerted effort to ensure that family carers—often neglected in healthcare discussions—had their voices heard and efforts recognised.

A pivotal session was chaired by Prof. Wojciech Drygas from the Patient Safety Foundation in Poland and moderated by Penney Cowan, the Founding Director of the World Patients Alliance, who shone a much-needed spotlight on caregiving. The speakers shared invaluable perspectives on the caregiving journey, not just as a responsibility, but as a form of emotional labour that requires recognition, support, and resilience.

Tone Brauti Fritzen from Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany, presented "Embracing Carers: A Global Initiative to Build Awareness and Recognition of Carers." This initiative focuses on increasing awareness around the often-overlooked role that carers play in healthcare. Whether they are family members or professional carers, their contribution is vital to patient health outcomes, yet they frequently lack the recognition and support they need.

The Power of Patient Advocacy and Caregiving

One of the most inspiring elements of the conference for me was the emphasis on patient advocacy and caregiving. These twin pillars are the backbone of healthcare systems everywhere, and the WPC made sure their importance was front and centre. Patients, unpaid carers, and advocacy leaders from all over the world shared stories that underscored how they are not just passive recipients of care but powerful voices shaping policies, treatment outcomes, and the healthcare ecosystem itself.

Boitumelo Ramasodi from South Africa’s Global Colon Cancer Association highlighted the deeply personal patient journey in accessing healthcare. Ramasodi’s message was clear: patients are not just statistics—they are people whose lived experiences should inform and improve healthcare policies worldwide.

Universal Healthcare and Collaboration

Access to quality healthcare was a major theme. Dr. Mondher Letaif from the World Health Organization (WHO) in Egypt spoke about Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which aims to provide better health for all, a critical goal for patients and unpaid carers globally. His presentation was complemented by discussions about collaboration for access to healthcare, led by Andre Gitembagara from Rwanda's International Council of Nurses. These talks highlighted the need for stronger cooperation between nations, healthcare providers, and patient organisations to ensure that patients, particularly in under-resourced areas, can receive the care they need.

Innovation in Healthcare: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Patient Safety

Innovation was another key theme of the conference, particularly the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Anupam Kashyap from CureMD in the USA, delivered an exciting presentation on what the future holds for AI in healthcare. His talk was balanced by an important discussion on the ethics, promises, and perils of AI, delivered by Ravi Prasad from the University of California. Together, they explored how AI could revolutionise patient care, from diagnostics to personalised treatment plans, while also stressing the importance of ethical guidelines to prevent technology from being misused or causing harm.

The Role of Social Media in Advocacy

Social media’s role in patient advocacy was also a focal point, with Ravi Ruparel from the UK sharing how patient organisations can leverage social platforms to amplify their message. Whether it's raising awareness, building support communities, or organising fundraising events, social media has the potential to be a powerful tool for change. This session struck a chord with me and many other attendees, particularly those of us from smaller organisations that rely heavily on online platforms to spread our message and engage with our communities.

A Shared Vision for the Future

The 2nd World Patients Conference was a melting pot of ideas, strategies, and shared experiences, but it was also a place of action. The African Regional Meeting, which concluded the event, was a call to arms for strengthening the patient and carers voice across Africa. By bringing together patient and carer advocates, healthcare professionals, and government officials, the meeting sought to address the unique challenges faced by African patients and map out strategies for the future. Sessions on advocacy, collaboration, capacity building, and research were designed to foster a sense of unity and drive real, actionable change across the continent.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The conference was a resounding success, not just because of the wealth of information shared but because of the palpable sense of community and solidarity that filled every session. From patient journeys to AI innovations, from carers’ resilience to universal healthcare, the 2nd World Patients Conference made one thing clear: healthcare is about people, and by empowering patients and carers, we empower entire systems to heal and grow.

As we look to the future, the message from Cape Town is clear: together, we can make healthcare better, more accessible, and more compassionate. Whether you are a patient, an unpaid carer, a healthcare professional, or an advocate, the time to act is now. Let’s continue the conversation, strengthen our collaborations, and ensure that patient and carer voices are not just heard but lead the way toward a healthier, more equitable world.