News

	HIFA Spotlight: Cataract Blindness, Surgical Quality, and the Value of Simulation-Based Training, 8-14 October 2026 Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026 We are delighted to announce the HIFA Spotlight: Cataract Blindness, Surgical Quality, and the Value of Simulation-Based Training. The main discussion will start officially on World Sight Day, 8 October. You are welcome to join and share experiences at any time from today.
	Join HIFA for a global conversation on improving uptake of cervical cancer screening and treatment, 19 October to 30 November 2026 Date: Friday, September 25, 2026 Join HIFA today to ensure you are part of the discussion!
	HIFA Spotlight: Noncommunicable diseases: Stay informed, stay safe: 14-20 September Date: Monday, August 31, 2026 This year's World Patient Safety Day 17 September is on the theme of "Safe care for noncommunicable diseases"
	CHIFA and HIFA Spotlight on Group B Strep, 8-14 July 2026 Date: Friday, July 10, 2026 Update 15 July 2026: "Thank you all for contributing to our CHIFA Spotlight on Group B Strep this past week! I am so impressed with all the good work HIFA is doing to promote universal access to reliable healthcare information" Marti Perhach, Group B Strep International, United States
	Why I support HIFA: Jules Storr Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026 HIFA steering group member Jules Storr has created a brief video outlining why she believes HIFA is important and why she has been supporting HIFA for two decades. "I work in infection prevention, patient safety and quality of care. We depend on trusted healthcare information. That's why I believe HIFA is a cause worth being passionate about."
	A new initiative: HIFA Spotlights Date: Monday, May 25, 2026
	HIFA makes official statement at 79th World Health Assembly Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026 The Global Healthcare Information Network/HIFA is proud to be one of 217 non-state actors worldwide in official relations with the World Health Organization.
	In memoriam: Professor Joseph Ana, co-founder of HIFA Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026 HIFA mourns the untimely loss of Professor Joseph Ana, co-founder of HIFA and a key member of the HIFA Steering Group and forum. Below is a tribute from HIFA ccordinator Neil Pakenham-Walsh. Dozens of tributes continue to be shared on the HIFA forum and you can read them here: https://www.hifa.org/rss-feeds/17 Tributes are also pouring in from the many networks where Joseph was leading player, including AfroPHC and Nigeria Universal Health Coverage Actions Network.
	HIFA announces a deep-dive discussion on the global opioid crisis, starting 13 April 2026 Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026 To join the discussion, if you are not already a HIFA member, please join HIFA (free!). We will host parallel discussions on HIFA-French, HIFA-Portuguese, and HIFA-Spanish. Please join here: www.hifa.org/join Introduction '60 million people struggle with the addictive effects of opioids globally and more than 100,000 people die every year of opioid overdose' [1]
	What we learned about open access publishing: a healthcare perspective Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026 Note: This blog is simultaneously posted on Open Pharma