This week's conversation focuses on the current spread of M-Pox (formerly Monkeypox) in Africa and the response to the outbreak. Dr. Boghuma Titanji, an infectious disease expert at Emory University, discusses the history of M-Pox outbreaks in Africa and the factors contributing to its spread. The conversation also explores the role of African governments, the Africa CDC, and the international community in addressing the outbreak. The need for increased investment in healthcare, research, and development in Africa is highlighted, as well as the importance of holding governments accountable and promoting grassroots education on healthcare funding. The conversation explores the challenges and potential solutions for Africa to produce its own vaccines and medications, emphasizing the untapped potential of the continent. It highlights the low percentage of vaccines and basic drugs manufactured in Africa and the competition with established manufacturing hubs in other countries. Trust in locally produced vaccines is also discussed, with the need to shift the mindset of consumers. The conversation emphasizes addressing infrastructure and resource limitations before focusing on vaccine production. Considering the different transmission patterns and populations affected, the need for a tailored vaccination approach for M-POX outbreaks is highlighted. Exciting developments in infectious disease research and vaccine trials in Africa are also mentioned.

00:00 The Current Spread of M-pox in Africa

14:20 The Response to the M-pox Outbreak

19:00 Underlying Issues: Lack of Investment and Prioritization

23:21 The Role of Global Solidarity in Public Health

25:45 Accountability and Self-Reliance in Healthcare

29:35 Accountability and Local Ownership

37:47 The Role of the Private Sector in Vaccine Production

50:26 Tailoring Vaccination Strategies

55:20 Promising Developments in Infectious Disease Research

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In this episode, our guests, Sipho Dlamini, Esmita Charani, Everisto Benyera, and Kwesi Amoak, discuss their research projects on decolonizing global health. They explore topics such as the definition of global health, indigenous knowledge practices, mentorship in global health partnerships, and cross-pollination between Universities and local communities in Africa. Our guests highlight the need to challenge the Western-centric approach to global health and to recognize and value indigenous knowledge and practices. They also emphasize the importance of collaboration, equity, and inclusivity in global health research and practice. We discuss the need to expand the definition of knowledge and include diverse perspectives, and highlight the importance of qualitative research in generating contextual knowledge and the need for epistemic humility. The role of Africans in addressing these issues is emphasized, including the need for agency, collaboration, and perseverance.

Cited:
Mentorship as an overlooked dimension of research capacity strengthening: how to embed value-driven practices in global health


The studies discussed were funded by the Decolonization and Global Health Research Exchange Network, a multidisciplinary network of academics, practitioners, and activists with a shared interest in unpacking and analysing decolonisation debates in global health.

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Guest: Dr. Nicholas Okumu, Orthopedic Oncology Specialist and CEO of Stratos Medical

Key Points:

1. Kenya faces a shortage of healthcare workers, with around 4,000 trained physicians, dentists, and pharmacists currently unemployed.
2. Recurring strikes by healthcare workers are common, often related to compensation disputes and lack of implementation of collective bargaining agreements.
3. Poor remuneration and lack of opportunities have led to brain drain, with many Kenyan healthcare workers seeking employment abroad.
4. Public perception often lacks empathy for healthcare workers' demands, viewing them as privileged individuals.
5. Potential solutions discussed include pay-for-performance models, public-private partnerships, and incorporating entrepreneurship and management training into medical education.
6. Dr. Okumu's venture, Stratos Medical, focuses on medical imaging, teleradiology, and developing a platform for accessing electronic health records.
7. The ongoing strike has limited healthcare services to emergency care, causing disruptions and delays in crucial treatments.
8. Dr. Okumu emphasizes the importance of advocacy, collaboration across disciplines, and interdisciplinary approaches to address systemic issues in healthcare.

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