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.
During the congress, WPA leadership also held meetings with representatives from Bristol Myers and Pfizer, reflecting growing interest from global health stakeholders in WPA’s advocacy work and member-led research. While a funding request to support WPA’s European regional initiatives was declined at this stage, the matter has now been elevated for global-level consideration.
The Congress reaffirmed the importance of WPA’s continued presence in high-level international platforms where the patient voice must remain central in shaping the future of healthcare.