WPA Participates in Health Challenges Congress – Katowice, Poland
Katowice, Poland – 13–14 March 2025
The World Patients Alliance participated in the Health Challenges Congress in Katowice, Poland, one of Central Europe’s largest annual healthcare forums. With over 3,000 attendees, the congress convened ministers, policymakers, hospital directors, patients, and NGOs to explore emerging issues in health policy, patient rights, and health system transformation.
The event featured more than 50 sessions alongside a Hyde Park–style open arena that promoted interactive dialogue on challenges facing global and regional health systems.
A standout focusses this year was on patient rights. A dedicated session, co-hosted by the Polish Presidency and Ombudsman, brought together EU speakers and advocacy groups to examine how patient data and digital transparency intersect with healthcare ethics. One key debate whether patients should have the right to delete parts of their medical records sparked particularly strong engagement and media attention.
WPA’s involvement aligned closely with its December 2024 webinar themes, continuing efforts to promote dialogue around digital health, trust, and patient autonomy.