Global Health Council 35th Annual Conference, May 2008
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Photo 1 of 6Credit: Grace and RebeccaImproving Maternal Health and Reducing Child Mortality: Exploring Common Issues for High Impact Solutions Dr. Leon Kintaudi (DRC), pictured above, was joined by a panel of physicians and experts from Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Vietnam in this auxiliary session of the Global Health Councils 35th annual conference. These professionals discussed their experiences and future possibilities for improving access and services for maternal and child health. -
Photo 2 of 6Credit: Grace and RebeccaKintaudi spoke of the problems plaguing health in the Congo, most significantly the years of war, pillaging, the nationalization of private companies, and the low utilization of services by communities and individuals in rural areas. However, with a well-designed national health care system and the implementation of the SANRU program by USAID (started in 1981), Kintaudi is very hopeful of the future of rural health in the Congo. In 2006, SANRU already had instituted 81 rural health care projects and over 100 health zones nationwide. Focused on integrating primary health care, especially for mothers and children, SANRU has and continues to improve the strength of decentralized health zones. SANRU has begun health initiatives targeted at education, water and sanitation, malaria prevention and treatment, and drug supply. As a result, trends have shown an increase in the use of services and vaccination rates, even though some children are not completing vaccination series. More challenges await Dr. Kintaudi and SANRU, such as hindering cultural stigmatisms, difficulty of on-site disease management, and the stability of the country. Yet he remains hopeful, and with the benefits of a strong health infrastructure and cooperation between NGOs and the government, along with the increase in global awareness, he will continue to work for change and improvement in the lives of Congolese. -
Photo 3 of 6Credit: Grace and RebeccaMoving Mountains : Transforming Communities to Stop Malaria. Dr. Elizabeth Chizema Kawesha, coordinator of the National Malaria Control Centre, spoke of Zambias progress in scaling up efforts to stop Malaria. Zambia, one of Africas poorest nations, has been a success story in the fight against Malaria, and with increased government dedication and prevention and treatment programs the battle against Malaria has become a social movement with a more optimistic outlook. Although Malaria still claims numerous lives in Zambia, with a death toll of nearly 8,000 deaths per year, trends have drastically improved and over 3.5 million nets have been distributed and 80% of women now have access to interventions reducing the burden of Malaria during pregnancy. Now, as figures and plans are being set for the upcoming year, Chizema spoke of the scaling up of Malaria prevention and treatment plans, focusing on cost-effective intervention plans and encouraging increased community utilization of services. -
Photo 4 of 6Credit: Grace and RebeccaPlenary Session Traveling Gear: Key Tools and Innovations for Service Delivery in the Community. (from left) Dr. Daniel Rikichi KajangHead of Procurement and Support for the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria Dan KasejeProfessor of Public Health and Vice Chancellor of Great Lakes University of Kisumu, Kenya Shoba Arola--Associate Director of the Comprehensive Rural Health Project in Jamkhed, India Bishop Dinis SengulaneBishop of Lebombo, Anglican Church of Mozambique Tamela Hultman (Session Moderator)Co-founder and CEO of AllAfrica Global Media. In this forum, the pictured specialists examined the limitations of human capacity that create barriers to reaching ultimate health goals and possible solutions to overcoming these limitations. Led and moderated by Tami Hultman, the session covered areas of technology, religion, doctors and health technicians, environment, and the importance of grassroots movements. -
Photo 5 of 6Credit: Grace and RebeccaAs stated, overwhelming poverty, a poor environment, and the lack of health knowledge, resources and current technology are major contributors to disease and health burden throughout the developing world. Throughout this session, Hultman questioned the panelists on their views of the necessary tools to create an effective, economical, and responsive approach to community needs and short-term solutions. -
Photo 6 of 6Credit: Grace and RebeccaReligion was a common theme in this panel on community health and Bishop Sengulane, (left) along with his colleagues, expressed his views on the integration of health and religious beliefs. Sengulane spoke of the Christian responsibility to strive for the betterment of humanity and health and the benefit of increased collaboration between religious groups and communities. Sengulane believes that this partnership of common interests will pave the way for short term goals with long term gains in Africas struggling rural health system.
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