Global Health Connector Summit: From Connectivity to Care: Scaling Digital Health Together

Global Health Connector will host the 13th edition of its Global Health Connector Summit (formerly the Digital Health & Wellness Summit) at MWC / 4YFN in Barcelona, bringing together innovators and leaders from digital health, healthcare, telecoms, and startup ecosystems across Europe and globally. The event where telecommunications, healthcare and technology converge.

This year's programme, From Connectivity to Care - Scaling Digital Health Together, will explore how AI, data interoperability, 5G connectivity, and innovation are shaping the future of health, with discussions on real-world hospital use cases and health data exchange across borders.

Through fireside chats and ecosystem dialogues, participants will exchange insights and build connections to accelerate inclusive and sustainable digital health transformation.

Global Health Connector brings you CollaborAction.

Agenda 2 March 2026 | 3:00 – 7:00 PM

OPENING & KEYNOTES

15:00 – 15:05 | Welcome & Introduction
Bleddyn Rees – Deputy Chair, Global Health Connector
Karolina Mackiewicz – Innovation Director, Global Health Connecto

15:05 – 15:15 | Keynote: Connectivity between Digital Health & Telecommunications
Dr. Mike Short CBE – Chair, UK Telecomms Innovation Network Advisory Board

GLOBAL VISIONS

15:15 – 15:35 | The Asia-Pacific Vision for the Future and the Role of Diagnostics in Digital Health
Gisela García-Álvarez – Executive Director APAC, Global Health Connector (Speaker & Host)
George Margelis – Chief Technology Advisor, Ageing Australia
John Jeans – Chair, 52North

15:35 – 15:45 | Women’s Health in Africa and the Opportunities for Technology (Fireside Chat)
Karolina Mackiewicz – Innovation Director, Global Health Connector (Speaker & Host)
Esther Ruiter – Head of Growth and Strategy, Africa Health Business

15:45 – 16:10 | Connecting the Economy, Finance, Health and Science to Unlock Digital Health Opportunities
Brian O’Connor – Chair, Global Health Connector (Moderator)
Joan Cornet – Founder and Promoter, InnoHealth Academy

RESPONSIBLE DIGITAL HEALTH, AI & INTEROPERABILITY

16:10 – 16:35 | Responsible Digital Health, Including AI Adoption at Scale for Stretched Healthcare Systems
Eric Thraikill – Executive Director US, Global Health Connector (Moderator)
Verena Thaler – Manager, Data Governance & Digital Regulation, MedTech Europe

16:35 – 17:00 | Access to Health Data for Research & Innovation
Karolina Mackiewicz – Innovation Director, Global Health Connector (Moderator)
Prof. Rajendra Pratap Gupta – Founder, Health Parliament

17:00 – 17:20 | Keynote: The Future of Digital Connectivity for People with Disabilities
Chris Lewis – Founding Director, Lewis Insight

INVESTMENT, PROCUREMENT & MARKET UPTAKE

17:20 – 17:45 | Investing in Digital and Mobile to Transform Healthcare
Prof. Rajendra Pratap Gupta – Founder, Health Parliament

IMMERSIVE TECH, 5G & CONNECTIVITY IN CARE

17:45 – 18:10 | 5G PCN Technology for HoloLens, VR and AR in Hospitals
Norman Fekrat – Managing Partner, Imagine Wireles
Dr. Yujia Gao – Assistant Group Chief Technology Officer, National University Health System (Showcase)

18:10 – 18:30 | Global Cancer Ecosystem Launch
Brian O’Connor – Chair, Global Health Connector
Eduardo Pisani – CEO, All.Can