Youth Voices in Global Health: IAP YPL at WHS Regional Meeting

The World Health Summit (WHS) Regional Meeting 2025 took place in New Delhi, India, from 25-27 April 2025, bringing together a vibrant and diverse community of global health leaders, innovators, policymakers and early-career professionals. Hosted by NIMS University and co-hosted by Manipal Academy of Higher Education and Ashoka University, the summit tackled the overarching theme: 'Scaling Access to Ensure Health Equity.'

Among the many voices contributing to the dialogue was Dr Antonia Morita Iswari Saktiawati, nominated by IAP and selected to attend as one of five recipients of the Young Leaders in Global Health Award offered by the summit hosts, NIMS University. Dr Saktiawati, a standout alumna of IAP’s Young Physician Leaders (YPL) programme, was selected for her exceptional contributions to infectious disease research and her active role in advancing global health initiatives. In her detailed report following the event, Dr Saktiawati offered a powerful reflection on the summit’s themes and their relevance to her own work:

'The experience broadened my perspective not just as a clinician, but as a researcher and advocate for equitable healthcare. From traditional medicine and AI-driven diagnostics to youth engagement and gender equity, the summit showcased the multifaceted approaches needed to transform health systems.'

A Voice from the Frontlines of TB Research

Dr Saktiawati has been based at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Indonesia since 2010. Her research focuses on pulmonary disease, immunology and particularly tuberculosis (TB) — a disease she is committed to combatting through innovation and international collaboration. She has earned several prestigious awards, including the European Respiratory Society’s Long-Term Research Fellowship, the Rising Star Award at the International Workshop on Lung Health in Prague and the Faculty for the Future Award from Schlumberger. With an MD from UGM, a Graduate Certificate in International Public Health from UNSW in Australia, and a PhD in TB from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, she brings academic rigour and lived experience to the table. She is also a member of the Young Academy of Indonesia, the Global Young Academy, and contributes to major global networks such as UNITE4TB and IUATLD.

Reflections from the WHS Regional Meeting

In her report, Dr Saktiawati highlighted several key insights from the summit:

• Digital Health and AI: Digital health and AI were showcased as catalysts for equitable care, particularly in under-resourced regions. AI’s role in diagnostics and prevention, such as predicting undernutrition, was a particular point of interest.
• Health Financing and Universal Coverage: From Thailand’s tax-funded model to strategic purchasing policies, speakers explored how to sustainably fund inclusive health systems.
• Traditional Medicine: With the summit set in India - a country rich in traditional healing practices - the dialogue focused on how evidence-based integration with modern healthcare could improve outcomes and expand access.
• Planetary Health and One Health: Emphasis was put on the urgent need to bridge human and environmental health, with climate change and zoonotic diseases at the forefront.
• Gender-Inclusive Health: Sessions spotlighted the post-reproductive health of women — a phase often overlooked in both research and funding priorities.
• Youth Engagement: The summit affirmed the vital role of young professionals in shaping health systems and policies. Dr Saktiawati noted: 'Youth bring fresh energy, new ideas and digital fluency. We must be part of the conversation, not just observers.'

Strengthening Leadership Through the YPL Network

Saktiawati’s participation was made possible through the IAP Young Physician Leaders (YPL) programme, a flagship initiative that identifies and supports emerging health leaders under the age of 40. Since its launch in 2011 in partnership with the World Health Summit and the WHS Academic Alliance, the programme has trained some 280 clinicians, researchers, educators and policy-makers from around the world, preparing them to lead change in their institutions and countries. Despite growing recognition of leadership as a key element in health system reform, formal training for health professionals remains limited. The YPL programme fills this gap by offering intensive development opportunities and an international peer-support network.

Dr Saktiawati’s contributions at the WHS Regional Meeting exemplify the very mission of the IAP YPL programme: to empower early-career professionals to lead the future of global health with vision, integrity, and evidence-based action. As global challenges intensify — from pandemics and antimicrobial resistance to climate change and health inequities — the need for strong, inspired leadership has never been greater. Through platforms like the WHS and initiatives like YPL, IAP is committed to ensuring that the next generation is prepared not just to face these challenges, but to transform them into opportunities for a healthier, fairer world.

For more information on the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2025, please visit the official event website.
Read more about the IAP YPL programme here.
Read more about Antonia Morita Iswari Saktiawati here.