A Defining Moment for India
In 2026, the global health community will gather in Delhi for the inaugural WHIS India—a bold new chapter in positioning Delhi as the Innovation Capital of Asia.
We are proud to announce that Snigdha Verma, Founder & CEO of Peepal, has been appointed Vice Chair of WHIS India, and Gareth Presch, CEO & Founder of the World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS) and the Global Social Prescribing Alliance (GSPA), will support the initiative as Chair of the WHIS India Chapter.
Together, their leadership represents a powerful global–local partnership designed to deliver lasting transformation.
A Long-Term Commitment to Transformation
Delivered under the global framework of WHIS and aligned with the mission of GSPA, WHIS India will unite leaders from government, academia, industry, finance, and community organisations to create a thriving ecosystem of health, wellbeing, and social impact.
With an anticipated audience of 20,000–30,000 attendees annually across 2026, 2027, and 2028, and Delhi holding first refusal to host in 2029, this is more than an event—it is a structured, multi-year platform for systemic change.
Why Delhi?
Delhi stands at the crossroads of policy, innovation, and population scale. As India accelerates its leadership in digital health, biotech, AI, and preventive care, the capital city is uniquely positioned to convene national and global stakeholders.
WHIS India will:
- Support health ministries in empowering citizens to manage their own health and wellbeing
- Accelerate preventive and precision health solutions
- Foster public–private partnerships
- Unlock sustainable economic growth through health innovation
- Showcase India as a global leader in scalable, community-driven health solutions Delhi is not only a political capital—it is a platform for possibility.
From Vision to Legacy
Under Snigdha Verma’s Vice Chair leadership and Gareth Presch’s Chapter Chair oversight, WHIS India will align with global WHIS values:
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Prevention first
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Health equity and access
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Community empowerment
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Sustainable finance for health
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Cross-sector collaboration By integrating these principles into India’s health and innovation ecosystem, WHIS India aims to deliver measurable outcomes:
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Increased investment into preventive health infrastructure
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Growth in health-tech entrepreneurship
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Stronger integration between universities and industry
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Community-led wellbeing initiatives
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International collaboration across Asia and beyond This is about building enduring systems—not one-off conversations.
A Platform for 20,000–30,000 Changemakers
WHIS India will convene:
- Government leaders and policymakers
- Health ministries and public health institutions
- Universities and research centres
- Start-ups and scale-ups
- Global investors and impact funds
- NGOs and grassroots organisations
- Young innovators and students Through keynote forums, innovation showcases, policy roundtables, investment matchmaking, and community engagement programmes, WHIS India will operate as a living laboratory for scalable health solutions.
Empowering People, Strengthening Economies
The future of healthcare is not only about treatment—it is about prevention, participation, and personal responsibility.
WHIS India will support ministries in:
- Promoting digital tools that enable self-management of health
- Advancing social prescribing and community-based care
- Integrating mental wellbeing into national strategies
- Leveraging innovation to reduce inequalities
- Linking health outcomes to economic resilience Health is not a cost. It is an investment multiplier.
A Global–Local Partnership
As Vice Chair, ,Ms. Snigdha Verma brings deep understanding of India’s entrepreneurial and social impact landscape. As Chapter Chair, Gareth Presch brings global connectivity, policy influence, and a proven framework for convening cross-sector leadership.
Together, supported by WHIS Global Ambassadors Sheva Carr and Robert Browning, they will ensure Delhi becomes:
- A convening capital
- A policy innovation hub
- An investment gateway
- A community empowerment model
- The Innovation Capital of Asia
Quote from Gareth Presch
CEO & Founder, WHIS & GSPA
“WHIS India is about legacy, not just leadership. Delhi has the opportunity to become the Innovation Capital of Asia by putting prevention, community empowerment, and sustainable investment at the heart of its strategy. When we empower people to manage their own health and wellbeing, we don’t just improve outcomes—we strengthen economies, reduce inequalities, and create generational impact. WHIS India will be a catalyst for that transformation.”
Quote from Ms. Snigdha Verma
Founder & CEO, Peepal | Vice Chair, WHIS India
“India has the talent, the scale, and the entrepreneurial energy to redefine global health innovation. WHIS India in Delhi will unite government, universities, innovators, investors, and communities to build solutions that are inclusive, sustainable, and deeply human. This is our moment to demonstrate how health and wellbeing can power social progress and economic growth across Asia and the world.”
Ms. Snigdha Verma Founder & CEO, Peepal | Vice Chair, WHIS India
Ms. Snigdha Verma graduated with an MSc. in Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania, US, and formerly with The World Bank - Global Environment Facility and International Finance Corporation in Washington, DC. Moved to rural India after a decade in the US, led community-based public health study for Monash University, Melbourne, Australia (PLoS ONE, 2018) . Now through her venture PEEPAL, she’s focusing on yoga-based mental well-being as a solution to climate crises.
2026: The Beginning of a Decade of Impact
In 2026 the launch of WHIS India will mark the beginning of a multi-year commitment through 2028—laying the foundations for Delhi’s continued leadership into 2029 and beyond.
Delhi is poised. India is ready. WHIS India will make it happen.