Devex

Closing the Gap:

Innovative Business Models for Universal Health Coverage

Date

September 19, 2017

Location

New York City

In partnership with

Event Overview

On the occasion of the 72nd United Nations General Assembly, Devex was pleased to partner with Royal Philips and The Rockefeller Foundation to host a private discussion titled "Closing the Gap: Innovative Business Models for Universal Health Coverage." The action-oriented discussion focused on the innovative new business models needed to secure quality universal health coverage. The event welcomed over 100 top executives from business, government, international institutions, and civil society.

The first panel, moderated by Michael Myers, managing director of The Rockefeller Foundation, brought together a diverse set of voices from some of the leading development organizations, government, and civil society groups to discuss the efforts and actions needed to secure universal health coverage by 2030. Panelists highlighted their experience in bringing quality health care to communities around the world, as well as how to best engage the "last mile" to produce successful results.

The second panel discussion was moderated by Raj Kumar, president & editor-in-chief at Devex, and gathered leading executives at the forefront of the UHC agenda. The discussion focused on the role of the private sector and multi- stakeholder partnerships in achieving UHC and delivering strong health systems. The panelists drew on personal experiences across a range of fields and countries to shed light on the innovative business models and solutions needed to reach the Sustainable Development Goals and the UHC2030 agenda.

#HealthyHorizons

Speakers

Siddharth Chatterjee

UN Resident Coordinator & UNDP Resident

Sid Chatterjee joined the UN in Bosnia in 1997 and over the next two decades served in various countries. He is an advocate for women's empowerment in Kenya where he has led notable initiatives to advance reproductive and maternal health.

Chris Elias

President, Global Health, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Chris Elias leads the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's efforts in a diverse range of program areas aimed at finding new ways to ensure solutions and products get into the hands of the people who need them the most.

Frans van Houten

CEO, Royal Philips

Frans van Houten is passionate about innovation, entrepreneurship and business transformation. He is leading Philips on a course to leadership in health technology, dedicated to making the world healthier and more sustainable by 2025.

Katja Iverson

President & CEO, Women Deliver

Katja Iverson is a leading global advocate for investment in the health and wellbeing of girls and women, with a specific focus on maternal, sexual and reproductive rights.

Takao Toda

VP for Human Security and Global Health, JICA

Takeo Toda promotes strategic planning and implementation of JICA's opperations. He is also the co-chair of the UHC2030 Steering Committee which provides a multi-stakeholder platform to promote collaboration at global and country levels on health systems strengthening.

Toyin Saraki

Founder-President, Wellbeing Foundation Africa

As Founder-President of WBFA, Ms. Saraki is a Nigerian philanthropist with two decades of advocacy work covering maternal and child health.

Pete Singer

CEO, Grand Challenges Canada

Peter Singer has dedicated the last decade to bringing innovation to tackle health challenges of the world's poorest. He is the CEO or Grand Challenges Canada and Professor of Medicine at University of Toronto.

Elhadj As Sy

Secretary-General & CEO, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cresent Societies

Elhadj As Sy has extensive experience in leadership roles in the humanitarian sector, having previously served at a senior level with organizations such as UNICEF and UNAIDS, and other agencies for more than 25 years.

Moderator

Raj Kumar

President & Editor-in-Chief, Devex

Raj Kumar leads a global team of over 100 Devexers and serves a community of 1 million global development professionals. His personal experience in over 50 countries, including a childhood partly spent in rural India, informs his work.

Moderator

Michael Myers

Managing Director, The Rockefeller Foundation

Michael Myers leads the Rockefeller Foundation's global health work including its Transforming Health Systems initiative and campaign for universal health coverage.