Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H E Dr. Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, speaking at the high-level panel held to conclude the second convening of Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative (DGSHPI), yesterday. Pic by Amr Diab/The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H E Dr. Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad has reaffirmed Qatar’s deep commitment to advancing global health equity and cooperation.
She was speaking at the high-level panel ‘Reimagining Global Health Financing: Priorities and Integration in the Global South’ held yesterday to conclude the second convening of Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative (DGSHPI). In her opening remarks, she emphasised that DGSHPI holds special significance for Qatar as it reflects the nation’s vision of collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility in promoting global well-being.
“When Qatar supported the launch of this initiative,” she said, “it was driven by a firm belief that countries of the Global South should not remain mere recipients of policies, but rather partners in shaping them, active in developing their own solutions and with a strong voice in the global dialogue on the future of health.”
The second convening of DGSHPI held at Sheraton Grand Hotel gathered senior public health officials, policymakers, and experts from across the Global South over three days and focused on strengthening regional cooperation and advancing inclusive, resilient health systems.
Dr. Al Misnad emphasised that true progress requires every state to have the tools, capacity, and voice to shape a healthier future through sustainable resources. She highlighted Qatar’s efforts at both national and international levels to build a resilient and equitable healthcare system.
Internationally, she noted that the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has provided over $1bn in support to strengthen healthcare in more than fifty countries for constructing hospitals, supplying vaccines and medicines, and improving medical infrastructure. These efforts, she added, embody Qatar’s vision of investing in health as a foundation for human dignity and stability.
Executive Director of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, Dr. Khaled AlJaber, delivering opening remarks at the high-level panel held to conclude the second convening of Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative (DGSHPI), yesterday. Pic by Amr Diab/The Peninsula
“Qatar continues to advocate for genuine, effective, and timely international cooperation,” she said Dr. Al Misnad.
The second convening of DGSHPI was hosted by Middle East Council on Global Affairs (ME Council) in partnership with the Gates Foundation, and supported by Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
Executive Director of the ME Council, Dr. Khaled AlJaber, in his welcome remarks, said, “At a time when countries across the Global South are undergoing profound shifts in how healthcare is financed, it is essential to place people at the heart of every discussion, ensuring no one is left behind and that the benefits of development reach every home, village, and city.
“The Middle East Council on Global Affairs views the Doha Initiative as more than just a platform for dialogue; it is a sincere humanitarian message and a bridge of cooperation and goodwill between the Global South, the Middle East, and the wider world. It affirms that the most effective policies are those rooted in compassion, knowledge, and genuine partnership,” he added.
The panel featured Deputy Director General for the Planning Sector at QFFD, Sheikha Haya Abdulrahman Al Thani; Director General of Nigeria’s National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina; Deputy Director of Advocacy and Communications at the Gates Foundation, Magdalena Robert. It was moderated by Dr. Theresa Madubuko, Lead of the DGSHPI.
Lead of the DGSHPI Dr. Theresa Madubuko; Deputy Director General for the Planning Sector at QFFD, Sheikha Haya Abdulrahman Al Thani; Deputy Director of Advocacy and Communications at the Gates Foundation, Magdalena Robert; and Director General of Nigeria’s National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina at the high-level panel held to conclude the second convening of Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative (DGSHPI). Pic by Amr Diab/The Peninsula
The panel explored how countries are reshaping health priorities amid declining external aid, focusing on innovations in service integration, financing, and system efficiency. Discussions also addressed how nations of the Global South can sustain essential services under fiscal constraints, the growing role of Gulf donors and philanthropic organisations, and opportunities for greater leadership and collaboration in advancing sustainable health system reforms.
Magdalena Robert shared that the Gates Foundation is rethinking health financing by prioritising cost-effective, sustainable, and country-led models, taking higher-risk investments in research and development to build local capacity and reduce dependency.
Dr. Muyi Aina highlighted Nigeria’s strategies to sustain major health programmes despite fiscal pressures, focusing on mobilising domestic resources, partnering with the private sector, and expanding innovative models like digital health and community health worker programmes.
Sheikha Haya Abdulrahman Al Thani reaffirmed QFFD’s commitment to rapid humanitarian aid and long-term, sustainable health system development. She highlighted the growing role of Gulf donors in promoting innovative, country-led financing models and emphasised QFFD’s partnership-driven approach, which supports resilient, inclusive health systems across the Global South.
Theresa Madubuko concluded by emphasising that innovation and integration can help countries achieve more with fewer resources. “Partnerships must reinforce rather than dilute national priorities, and South-South collaboration offers powerful pathways for sustainable reform,” she said. The second convening of the DGSHPI featured closed country-led sessions and training workshops addressing national health challenges, focusing on sustainable financing, adapting to evolving donor landscapes, and strengthening trust and communication in the health sector.
