World Patients Alliance ends Nairobi conference on patient-led health systems

The World Patients Alliance wrapped its 3rd World Patients Conference in Nairobi after two days focused on patient participation in care, policy and health system design. The meeting produced new collaboration agreements, regional advocacy discussions and a push to turn patient voice into practical action.

Why it matters: - The conference centered patient experience as a tool for improving care design, access and delivery. - The gathering linked patient advocacy to global health policy, health workforce issues and safer care. - WPA said the event set up continued collaboration on patient advocacy and inclusive health systems.

What happened: - The World Patients Alliance concluded its 3rd World Patients Conference on 8 November 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, after two days at Villa Rosa Kempinski. - The hybrid event ran under the theme “From Voice to Action: Patients Shaping the Health System.” - Patients, advocates, patient organizations, healthcare professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders took part. - WPA Chair Andrew Spiegel, Conference Chair Regina Kamoga and WPA CEO Dr. Hussain Jafri opened the conference. - The conference connected patient advocates with international health institutions, professional associations and national health bodies across countries and disease areas.

The details: - Nine sessions examined how patient experience could shape treatment, care planning, policy and service evaluation. - Topics included AI and digital health, strategic partnerships and translating policy into people-centred care. - Presentations, panels and regional dialogue focused on the knowledge, skills and opportunities needed for meaningful patient participation. - A session on universal health coverage explored co-creating health systems with patients. - Irina Papieva of the World Health Organization discussed translating global commitments into people-centred systems. - Panellists included voices from the African Union Development Agency–NEPAD, the World Organization of Family Doctors and Kenya’s Ministry of Health. - Discussions on patient–provider collaboration focused on trust, shared decision-making and sustained patient involvement in services and governance. - Contributors included Jacqueline W. Kitulu of the World Medical Association, José Luis Cobos Serrano of the International Council of Nurses and Robert Moss of the International Pharmaceutical Federation. - Hospital-sector and patient representatives also contributed to the collaboration session. - Patient safety and self-care were major themes. - Helen Haskell, chair of WPA’s Patient Safety & Quality Council, moderated a session on safety across noncommunicable disease care. - WHO’s Manjulaa Narasimhan and Greg Perry of the Global Self-Care Federation discussed health literacy, reliable information and support for managing health. - The AI and digital health session examined the risk of leaving out patients whose access, capabilities or circumstances are not considered in technology design. - A health emergencies session addressed continuity of care during conflict, displacement and other crises. - WHO and the International Committee of the Red Cross contributed to the emergencies discussion. - WPA signed memoranda of understanding with the University of Kalisz in Poland and the International Council of Nurses. - The University of Kalisz partnership will support online training, including the Patient Advocate Champion Programme and Patient Safety Training Programme. - The training focus is to strengthen patients’, caregivers’ and advocates’ knowledge and skills. - The ICN agreement establishes collaboration to advance advocacy for nurse retention and patient-centred healthcare worldwide. - The African Regional Meeting on 8 November examined advocacy and healthcare access across the continent. - Abigail Simon-Hart of The Bricon Foundation presented, followed by a regional panel. - Zakariya’u Dauda of the National Youth Antimicrobial Resistance Campaign and Regina Kamoga led a co-creation workshop on antimicrobial resistance and patient engagement. - Global Patient Insight Group meetings covered Alzheimer’s disease and dementias, cancers and sickle cell disease. - Bristol Myers Squibb supported those insight group meetings. - WPA’s annual Council Meeting gave member organizations a forum to discuss the group’s work and priorities. - WPA thanked participants, speakers, moderators and partners. - Conference Silver Sponsors were EMD Serono, Boehringer Ingelheim and Bristol Myers Squibb. - Roche was the Bronze Sponsor.

Between the lines: - The program showed patients are being positioned not only as recipients of care but as contributors to system design and evaluation. - The mix of global institutions, regional bodies and patient groups suggests WPA is trying to move patient advocacy from discussion to formal partnerships. - The AI and digital health session highlighted a common policy risk: technology can widen gaps if patient access and capability are not built into design.

What's next: - WPA will continue work with its new partners on training, advocacy and patient-centred healthcare. - The organization said it will keep advancing access to safe, high-quality and affordable care. - Member organizations will carry forward priorities discussed at the annual Council Meeting.

The bottom line: - WPA used its Nairobi conference to push a simple message: patient voice has to shape healthcare decisions if health systems are going to become safer, more inclusive and more effective.