Sultana Afdhal
CEO, World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH)
Sultana Afdhal is the Chief Executive Officer of the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH). An initiative of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development - WISH’s vision is to bring about a healthier world through global collaboration and serves as a platform for health leaders and innovators from around the world. Within Qatar, Sultana has put significant effort into the creation and implementation of innovative learning programs for children with autism and special needs. In 2019, Sultana was made an honorary nurse and awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest international accolade a nurse can achieve, in recognition for her work in championing the work of nurses and midwives around the world. Sultana sits on the Boards of both the World Health Organization’s State of the World Nursing Committee, and the State of the World Midwifery Report. Sultana was recently appointed as Board Member of the Renard Academy, a school that provides specialized services for children with autism. She also sits on the Editorial Board of the BMJ Innovation Journal, as well as the Carter Center’s Journalism Fellowship Advisory Board. Successfully overseeing two WISH global summits, Sultana has been instrumental in creating fruitful new partnerships with a diverse range of organizations that have an interest in the health and wellbeing of societies. Away from the office, Sultana has a master’s degree in English Literature from Oxford and is a published author. Combining her passion for literacy and global health, dedicated the proceeds of her first book to the Fight for Sight charity.