Radical Health Foundation’s Gareth Presch in Key Discussion on Healthcare Transformation at THCS in Naples, Italy
On February 19, 2025, global health leaders gathered in Naples for a landmark discussion at the Transforming Health and Care Systems (THCS) event, focusing on reshaping healthcare systems to meet modern challenges.
The conversation was ignited by the white paper shared by the European Health University Association, focused on the need to integrate hospital and community services to accelerate the transformation towards innovative and sustainable health ecosystems. The paper attracted interest by the Active and Healthy Living Coalition (EURAHL) and by the THCS to benefit individuals and society.
Gareth Presch, CEO of the World Health Innovation Summit, played a pivotal role in presenting the Radical Health Foundation (RHF), their Tour, and the transformative potential of innovation centres to drive sustainable change.
During the session, titled “Rethinking Healthcare Systems: The Right Challenge for a Joint Undertaking,” Presch outlined how RHF and The Tour are accelerating healthcare transformation by fostering collaboration, innovation, and investment in community-driven solutions. They showcased how Innovation Centres—aligned with the WHIS preventative model—offer a structured yet agile approach to delivering preventative, precision health solutions, bridging the gap between policy, research, and real-world implementation.
The session also highlighted the WHIS model as a pioneering force in healthcare reform, demonstrating how its community-based, scalable framework is addressing health inequalities, driving digital transformation, and creating economic opportunities in the sector. The WHIS approach, already making an impact in cities worldwide, was presented as a blueprint for sustainable, people-centered healthcare systems that prioritize prevention, wellbeing, and economic resilience.
Moderated by Maddalena Illario (THCS Co-chair) and Michele Calabrò (EUREGHA, THCS Advisory Board Member), the session also included:
Johan Van Eldere (EUHA) – Updates on the EUHA Position Paper and pathways for broader collaboration
Michele Calabrò (EURAHL) – The role of EURAHL in fostering innovative healthcare solutions
Maddalena Illario – Joint efforts toward the Health Policy Platform (HPP)
An open discussion and vote on the endorsement of the EUHA Position Paper
Speaking on the importance of collaboration in transforming healthcare systems, Maddalena Illario stated: “The future of healthcare lies in our ability to integrate innovation, research, and policy into real-world solutions. Through initiatives like WHIS, RHF, EURAHL, EUHA and the THCS we are seeing the implementation of the paradigm shift toward proactive, preventative care that empowers communities and ensures long-term resilience, taking advantage of the support of EC initiatives such as the Health Policy Platform.”
The event underscored the urgent need for a shift from reactive disease management to proactive, anticipatory care, with social prescribing, digital health, and integrated community care at the heart of this transformation. WHIS, RHF, and The Tour were recognized as key initiatives in accelerating this vision, demonstrating how multi-sector collaboration can enhance health outcomes, improve financial sustainability, and ensure long-term systemic resilience.
This session was a call to action for healthcare leaders, policymakers, and innovators to embrace new models of care, invest in innovation, and commit to meaningful healthcare reform. The discussion set the stage for new partnerships and actionable steps to drive forward a more connected, impactful, and sustainable health ecosystem across Europe and beyond.
#THCS #RadicalHealthFoundation #TheTour #WHIS #HealthcareInnovation #EUHA #SustainableHealth #HealthTransformation