In 2024, the International Hospital Federation (IHF) undertook a range of initiatives to support global healthcare leadership. The organisation focuses on leadership development, knowledge exchange, advocacy and sustainability, aiming to strengthen hospital and healthcare systems worldwide. Through various programmes, workshops and collaborations, the IHF worked with its members and partners to facilitate improvements in healthcare management, operational efficiency and sustainability. With participation from over 160 organisations, the IHF played a significant role in promoting best practices and fostering innovation in hospital leadership.
Leadership Development and Capacity Building
The IHF continued to expand its leadership development activities, offering multiple programmes, training sessions and opportunities for networking. The Young Executive Leaders (YEL) programme selected participants from 32 countries, providing training sessions and mentorship to strengthen leadership skills among emerging hospital executives. The programme also produced publications, masterclasses and workshops on topics such as integrating AI in healthcare, human resource management and patient safety. Additionally, it facilitated engagement among YEL alumni, ensuring the continuity of professional connections beyond the programme.
The IHF also supported leadership development through Special Interest Groups (SIGs), including the gender equity SIG, which organised discussions on recruitment, retention and mentoring. These conversations informed the SIG’s future plans, which include launching a mentoring circles pilot project and creating guidelines for gender-equitable recruitment. Furthermore, the Association Leaders Circle hosted discussions on AI technology and digital transformation in healthcare, enabling leaders to exchange perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in integrating AI within hospital operations.
Beyond networking and training, the IHF contributed to leadership competency development by updating its leadership model. This model was integrated into various learning programmes and influenced leadership frameworks in multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia and Spain. Academic institutions, such as Hang Seng University in Hong Kong, also incorporated the model into their curricula, further expanding its impact on healthcare leadership education.
Knowledge Exchange and Innovation in Healthcare
The 47th World Hospital Congress, co-hosted by the Brazilian Hospital Federation in Rio de Janeiro, was a key event for healthcare professionals. The Congress attracted over 1,250 participants from 65 countries, offering more than 50 plenary and parallel sessions covering leadership, workforce management, clinical innovation and sustainability. Delegates also had the opportunity to visit 11 hospitals in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, allowing them to observe healthcare practices in different settings.
A central feature of the Congress was the i-to-i Innovation Hub, where 27 innovators from 16 countries were selected from a competitive pool of 112 applications to showcase their projects. The highest-scoring innovators presented their initiatives to an international audience, while two were awarded complimentary registration to the 2025 Congress following the audience choice vote during the Innovation Ignite talks. The Congress also provided a dedicated workshop for 50 innovators and their teams, addressing topics such as ensuring innovations meet diverse population needs, facilitating clinical adoption and developing business cases.
The IHF Awards continued to recognise excellence in healthcare, with 49 projects from 37 countries receiving awards in 2024. A special publication highlighted these projects, offering insights into innovative healthcare practices worldwide. Additionally, the IHF’s Big Data SIG launched new learning resources, including case studies and podcasts, to support hospitals in leveraging big data for improved patient care. Meanwhile, the Telehealth SIG focused on regulatory issues, AI applications and cross-border telehealth, fostering discussions on improving accessibility and standards in telemedicine.
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Sustainability and Resilient Healthcare Systems
The IHF maintained its focus on sustainability through initiatives aimed at integrating environmental considerations into healthcare operations. The Geneva Sustainability Centre facilitated training for over 580 hospital leaders across multiple countries, providing education on reducing carbon footprints and improving hospital resilience. The Sustainability Accelerator Tool, designed to assist hospitals in embedding sustainability in their strategies, gained wider adoption in countries such as Singapore, France and the United States. The insights generated from hospitals using the tool were incorporated into leadership training, ensuring a tailored approach to sustainability learning.
In collaboration with the Joint Commission International (JCI), the IHF contributed to the development of sustainability accreditation standards. The publication of the Global Health Impact chapter in JCI’s 8th edition of hospital accreditation standards was an important step in embedding sustainability within hospital quality and safety frameworks. Furthermore, the JCI-GSC Healthcare Sustainability Certification programme was introduced, offering a structured certification pathway for hospitals committed to sustainability.
The IHF also launched the Future of Hospitals initiative, which focuses on strengthening hospital resilience in low-resource settings. This initiative brought together 18 global organisations to address key challenges in workforce management, environmental sustainability, financing and quality of care. More than 380 healthcare professionals from over 50 countries engaged in interactive discussions as part of this effort.
Throughout 2024, the IHF played a crucial role in supporting hospitals and healthcare leaders through leadership development, knowledge exchange and sustainability initiatives. By fostering collaboration and sharing best practices, the IHF contributed to strengthening global hospital management and operational strategies. The expansion of training programmes, the recognition of innovative healthcare projects and the promotion of sustainable practices reinforced the organisation’s commitment to advancing hospital leadership.
Source: International Hospital Federation
Image Credit: iStock
