Burnet Deputy Director Professor Margaret Hellard will chair the viral hepatitis forum at the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) on 13-14 November.

A disease of the liver caused by an infection that results in the death of around 1.34 million people globally per year, viral hepatitis will be investigated by an international group of experts in the field of infectious diseases in the months leading up to the summit.

The group’s findings will be presented in a report aimed at producing policy recommendations that can have a positive impact on the management of viral hepatitis and support global efforts being made to prevent transmission – particularly in vulnerable populations.

“I agreed to chair the WISH viral hepatitis forum because the vision and mission of WISH strongly aligns with what I believe is currently required from the global healthcare community,” Professor Hellard said.

Professor Hellard boasts more than two decades of clinical and research expertise, including using new technologies, such as social media, for health promotion and prevention interventions.

WISH 2018 will feature nine research forums led by internationally renowned experts in their field to highlight and address some of the world’s most pressing challenges across medical, ethical, technological, and humanitarian aspects of healthcare.

Find out more at the WISH 2018 official website.