News Flash 530: Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

News Flash Links, as part of the research project PEAH (Policies for Equitable Access to Health), aim to focus on the latest challenges by trade and governments rules to equitable access to health in resource-limited settings

Egg jellyfish (Cotylorhiza tuberculata)

News Flash 530

Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

 

WEMOS VACANCY: GLOBAL HEALTH ADVOCATE (32-36 HOURS). Submit your letter of motivation and curriculum vitae to jobs@wemos.nl by 21 June 2023 at the latest

Care is the beating heart of an economy moving Beyond Growth

Making Billions for Billions: Unleashing the Power of Social Entrepreneurship  by Sumedha Kushwaha

Medicines Law & Policy: Submission to the US International Trade Commission

Africa Decries Weakening of Equity Provisions in New Pandemic Accord Draft

Pandemic Accord: MSF statement on INB Bureau’s text

PHM Annual Report 2022

TDR June 2023 Newsletter

China’s COVID-19 Outbreak to Peak At 11 Million New Weekly Cases

Toward Comprehensive Care for Long Covid

Thursday, July 27, 2023 3rd Virtual Symposium on Advances in Malaria Research

Developing evidence-informed indicators to monitor HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis programmes across EU/EEA countries: a multi-stakeholder consensus

MSF calls on Gavi to step up efforts to improve vaccine access for children up to at least five years old

Gavi is On Track to Vaccinate 300 Million More Children by 2025

Antimicrobial resistance: EU health ministers approve recommendation

Global incidence in hospital-associated infections resistant to antibiotics: An analysis of point prevalence surveys from 99 countries

Assessment of quality of essential medicines in public health care facilities of Nepal: Findings of nationwide study

Pharmacopeial quality of artemether– lumefantrine anti-malarial agents in Uganda

1 in 3 Children Suffer from Lead Poisoning—so Why is Lead Reduction Such a Heavy Lift?

WHO calls on Asian countries to quit tobacco farming

Upending the model of AI adoption

UN chief calls for coordinated global action on disinformation, hate and artificial intelligence

HRR 682 NATURE: 1; HUMANITY: 0 …OR THE OTHER WAY AROUND?

New Report Highlights U.S. 2021 Gun-Related Deaths: For Second Straight Year, U.S. Firearm Fatalities Reached Record Highs

Global protection against cybercrime now within reach

FOOD SECURED: The future of food and nutrition in a fragile world

Transforming Food Systems through Conscious, Mindful Practices

Is India’s renewable energy push a threat to food security?

Not My Problem: Breaking Down Sectoral Silos in School Meals

We Need to Talk About Deep Blue Carbon

Turning waste into compost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making Billions for Billions: Unleashing the Power of Social Entrepreneurship

Social entrepreneurship represents a powerful paradigm shift in the world of business. It demonstrates that profits and social impact can coexist, and that success can be measured not just by financial gains, but by the positive change created. 

By aligning our passion and skills with a greater purpose, we can create a future where becoming billionaires means not just accumulating wealth but also positively impacting billions of lives

By Dr. Sumedha Kushwaha, Chief Executive Officer and Founder

Mr. Sameer Naik, Chief Technology Officer and co-Founder

 Global Initiative for Public Health & Innovation – GIPHI

  Making Billions for Billions

Unleashing the Power of Social Entrepreneurship

 

What if we told you that businesses are not just about making a fortune, but also about making a positive impact on the lives of billions of people? Welcome to the world of social entrepreneurship, where technology meets compassion, and profits align with purpose. In this article, we delve into the fascinating realm of social entrepreneurship and explore how pioneers like Dr. Sumedha Kushwaha and Mr. Sameer Naik are changing the game, making a difference, and building successful businesses along the way.

 

Social Entrepreneurship: The Marriage of Purpose and Profit

Social entrepreneurship harnesses the power of business to address pressing social and environmental challenges. It goes beyond traditional philanthropy by implementing sustainable models that create lasting impact. These visionary entrepreneurs, Dr. Sumedha and Mr. Sameer, strive to make a positive change while also ensuring profitability. By blending purpose with profit, they revolutionize industries and inspire a new generation of business leaders.

The Rise of Social Enterprises

At the heart of social entrepreneurship lies the social enterprise. Their organizations are driven by a mission to address specific societal needs. They utilize innovative approaches and leverage market forces to achieve their objectives. From education and healthcare to sustainable energy and poverty alleviation, social enterprises cover a wide spectrum of sectors, each aiming to create meaningful change in the world.

The Four Pillars of Social Entrepreneurship

Dr. Sumedha and Mr. Sameer describes the core of successful social entrepreneurship as four pillars that drive their endeavors: agile implementation, lean models, technology, and change management. Let’s delve into each of these pillars to understand how they contribute to the transformative impact.

Agile Implementation: Social entrepreneurs are masters of adaptability. They embrace agility and respond swiftly to changing circumstances. By adopting a flexible mindset, they can iterate their ideas, learn from failures, and quickly pivot to more effective strategies. This nimbleness enables them to stay ahead of the curve and maximize their positive influence.

Lean Models: The lean approach is a fundamental principle in social entrepreneurship. They have optimized their operations, enabling them to achieve more with fewer resources. This approach allows them to allocate their limited resources where they matter the most, amplifying the social impact they create.

Technology: Technological advancements have become a catalyst for social entrepreneurship. From mobile apps and online platforms to data analytics and artificial intelligence, technology empowers them to scale their impact exponentially. It enables them to reach remote communities, facilitate access to vital services, and create innovative solutions to complex problems.

Change Management: Effecting meaningful change requires strong leadership and effective change management. Dr. Sumedha and Mr. Sameer excel at inspiring and mobilizing diverse stakeholders, including governments, nonprofits, and the private sector. They navigate complexities, build collaborations, and drive collective action towards shared goals.

Conclusion

Social entrepreneurship represents a powerful paradigm shift in the world of business. It demonstrates that profits and social impact can coexist, and that success can be measured not just by financial gains, but by the positive change created. Dr. Sumedha Kushwaha and Mr. Sameer Naik epitomizes this spirit of social entrepreneurship, as they have embarked on a mission to transform lives using technology. Their stories inspire us to believe that we can all be catalysts for change. By aligning our passion and skills with a greater purpose, we can create a future where becoming billionaires means not just accumulating wealth but also positively impacting billions of lives.

 

 

 

News Flash 529: Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

News Flash Links, as part of the research project PEAH (Policies for Equitable Access to Health), aim to focus on the latest challenges by trade and governments rules to equitable access to health in resource-limited settings

Salema fish (Sarpa salpa)

News Flash 529

Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

 

Earth Future: Time for a Global ‘Reset’!  by George Lueddeke

Meeting registration: Our voices matter: Shaping priorities for social participation in health reform Jun 20, 2023

WHO announces winners of the 4th Health for All Film Festival

Artificial intelligence for global health: cautious optimism with safeguards

June 2023 – July 2023: WHO intensifies negotiations on the pandemic treaty and the amendments to the International Health Regulations

Resource Allocation Framework for Pandemic Risk and Surveillance: Version 1.0

Covid-19: WHO treaty on future pandemics is being watered down, warn health leaders

Lessons for a Pandemic

Pandemics start and end in communities: Why civil society participation in the governance of the Pandemic Accord is critical

Tight Deadline to Respond to ‘Zero Draft’ of UN Political Declaration on Pandemics Ahead of September Meeting

EMA and ECDC statement on updating COVID-19 vaccines to target new SARS-CoV-2 virus variants

In Sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 30% of young children may be affected by malaria

Rectal artesunate for severe malaria, implementation research, Zambia

Generation game: gene-edited mosquitos to fight malaria

How ignoring trans populations is hampering Africa’s fight against HIV

Date with history: How America discovered – and ignored – Aids

Supply-chain factors and antimicrobial stewardship

Driving access to cancer treatments: Gertrude’s story

Breaking barriers and building bridges: reimagining a feminist health workforce

Uganda’s anti-gay law sparks global concerns

People’s Health Dispatch Bulletin #51: Global health at the crossroads of corporate interests and solidarity

Why low-income nations are ‘cracking’ under debt pressure

What We Learned Implementing an Adaptive Program to Support Refugees

West African Nations Unite to Tackle Food Crisis, Soil Health

Basic energy access lags amid renewable opportunities, new report shows

Climate crisis: rich nations undermining work to help poor countries, research suggests

UN delegates agree to produce draft treaty to end global plastic pollution

Reducing the eco-footprint of the pharmaceutical industry in Germany and elsewhere

Slow Transition to Clean Energy Puts Billions at Risk of Household Air Pollution

Strategic Litigation and Social Mobilisation: Part of Public Health’s Advocacy Toolbox to Address the Climate Crisis  by David Patterson

Guess Who Is the Worst Enemy of the Oceans (And Everywhere Else)?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earth Future: Time for a Global ‘Reset’!

EARTH FUTURE: TIME FOR A GLOBAL ‘RESET’!

As we face unprecedented existential threats, including humanitarian crises currently affecting over 800 million people, cultivating an active care for a world at risk is an absolute priority, starting with a United Nations-University Community Global Forum to reconsider our future directions and options
Find the  IMPAKTER Editors’ preface below:

 

‘Following two previous Impakter articles, Planet Earth: Averting a Point of No Return and Planet Resilience: The Choice is Ours, author Dr. George Lueddeke now completes the trilogy with this article, a heartfelt call for a global reset. Reinforcing major threats facing the planet, he highlights the latest results of World Happiness reports and discusses the causes and consequences of system failure across the globe – drawing particular attention to the International Rescue Committee’s Watchlist reports and growing politically-driven humanitarian crises involving over 800 million people.

A key stumbling block to preventing and mitigating these and other potential tragedies is the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) which allows any one of the five members – Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States in place since 1946 – to veto any proposal, including cases of mass atrocity. Existential threats now facing the planet – climate change, nuclear war, autonomous artificial intelligence, to name several – have brought the world to a critical juncture where the future looks very uncertain. 

Arguing that we cannot go on as we are and in support of the UN Secretary-General’s proposed rescue of the UN-2030 SDGs,  the author calls for a United Nations and international University Community global forum or summit to consider ‘the kind of future we are heading toward and the future we want’  – The Editors

PEAH readers are invited to comment on the article generally and the recommendation in particular 

————

In close alignment, find information on a forthcoming global forum focusing on operationalising One Health that might be of interest to PEAH followers.   Supported by over 50 strategic partners, the forum  is entitled One Sustainable Health for all 2023 (Global Forum on Inclusive and Adaptive Systems for Health) and will take place in Lyon, France , 5-7 July, 2023.

PEAH is pleased to say that the organisers have included the international One Hope for One Planet Education initiative (1 HOPE) to contribute to a panel discussion (Plenary 1-July 5 PM) on the theme ‘From One Health and Planetary Health to an operational One Sustainable Health Approach.’ Other organisations represented on the panel will be the Pasteur Institute, Finland government, African Climate Foundation, Congolese Foundation for Medical Research and Friedrich-Alexander -Universitat/Germany

Strategic Litigation and Social Mobilisation: Part of Public Health’s Advocacy Toolbox to Address the Climate Crisis

The public health community is increasingly aware and concerned about the health impacts of climate change. Yet today, many public health professionals are unaware of the opportunities offered by litigation in national and international courts and tribunals, and of the crucial role of public health professionals and scientists in collecting, securing and presenting the needed evidence of harms.

In 2022 consultations with public health experts led to the proposal for a climate litigation toolkit for public health professionals, written to address skills and knowledge gaps, where they exist.

This article includes a survey aimed at assisting the project partners to publish and disseminate the toolkit [Survey deadline: 30 June 2023, or contact the author. Input from PEAH readers is also welcome]

By David Patterson, LLM, MSc, PhD Candidate

 Groningen Centre for Health Law

Department of Transboundary Legal Studies, Faculty of Law

University of Groningen, Netherlands  

Strategic Litigation and Social Mobilisation

Part of Public Health’s Advocacy Toolbox to Address the Climate Crisis

 

In February 2022 we wrote about the need for stronger bridges between the public health, environmental, and legal communities (Public Health, Climate Change and Strategic Litigation). We described how strategic alliances between public health actors, civil society organizations, environmental activists, and legal academics and practitioners are using court action to highlight government inaction and industry abuses.

Climate litigation uses national and international justice systems to advance laws and policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change, e.g., to oppose fossil fuel development. Climate litigation holds private sector polluters and governments to account for their (in)action in the climate crisis.

In November 2020, an association of senior women (Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland) took their case to the European Court of Human Rights (KlimaSeniorinnen v Switzerland). The women allege that the Swiss government’s inadequate climate policies violate their rights to life and to health. In fact, studies show that in Switzerland 30% of heat-related deaths can be attributed to anthropogenic climate change. Women over 75 years old are the demographic group in the country with the highest risk of heat-related health damage. Expert medical evidence of harm to this population is therefore central to the KlimaSeniorinnen case. In March 2023 the first ever hearing of a climate was held before the 17-Judge Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. The Court will decide to what extent Council of Europe states must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to protect human rights.

Public health advocates have long used legal action to address health harms, e.g., from tobacco, asbestos, and air pollution. Indeed, efforts to reduce greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels and to reduce air pollution are often closely aligned. The public health community is increasingly aware and concerned about the health impacts of climate change. Yet today, many public health professionals are unaware of the opportunities offered by litigation in national and international courts and tribunals, and of the crucial role of public health professionals and scientists in collecting, securing and presenting the needed evidence of harms.

How ready are public health practitioners to provide truly compelling evidence in court? Public health experts need guidance to present convincing written and oral testimony. In 2022 consultations with public health experts led to the proposal for a climate litigation toolkit for public health professionals, written to address skills and knowledge gaps, where they exist. In November 2022, the concept was presented at the 15th European Public Health Conference in Berlin, Germany. In May 2023 it was further discussed at the 17th World Congress on Public Health in Rome, Italy. In June 2023, the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) provided support by surveying its partner organizations to assess their interest in the toolkit, and what it should address. The survey was disseminated through social media to public health experts in English, French and Spanish. [Input from PEAH readers is also welcome. Deadline: 30 June 2023, or contact the author.]

The climate litigation toolkit is intended for public health experts in different countries and regions. The toolkit will draw on similar handbooks for other audiences, such as Holding your Government Accountable for Climate Change: A People’s Guide (Greenpeace, 2018). However, it is the first such publication written explicitly for public health professionals.

From 15-16 June 2023, EUPHA-LAW, the University of Liverpool, the Groningen Centre for Health Law and other partners will host a conference on strategic litigation and public health in Liverpool, UK. The conference, also online, will address climate change litigation as a major theme. Dr Alicia Ely Yamin of Harvard University will give a keynote address on 15 June (also online). A conference working group will review the first draft of the toolkit, which is due for publication in November 2023.

Litigation is not the only tool in the public health advocacy toolbox. Nor is it the most important. Governments may ignore court decisions or drag their feet in implementation. The greater power in strategic litigation lies in social mobilisation. Inside the court, polluters and intransigent governments may be called to confront the health consequences of their (in)action today, and in years to come. It is more powerful still if outside the court, communities are also mobilised to demand climate action.

The treatment access movement in the global South has led the way. In 2001, the world’s largest drug companies were forced to abandon their legal action against South African laws aimed at getting cheaper medicines to the poor. The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), an NGO supported by the AIDS Law Project (now Section 27) at the University of Witwatersrand, had joined the court action as amicus curiae on the side of the South African government. Outside the court, TAC protests, singing and dancing were beamed around the global by the assembled media. For the drug companies, it was a public relations disaster.

The TAC legal action and social mobilisation framed treatment access as a human right. In the decades which followed, the cost of HIV treatments and of other essential medicines in developing countries plummeted. Globally, intellectual property rules were rewritten. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was established. Millions of lives were, and continue to be, saved.

In July 2022, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring that access to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a human right. Climate litigation and social mobilisation led by communities and public health and legal advocates can help make that aspiration a reality.

 

 

News Flash 528: Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

News Flash Links, as part of the research project PEAH (Policies for Equitable Access to Health), aim to focus on the latest challenges by trade and governments rules to equitable access to health in resource-limited settings

VULCANO island, Italy

News Flash 528

Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

 

World Health Assembly Closes Session with Biggest Challenge Still Looming

The World Won’t Be Safer With a Fragmented Global Health System

Never Again – Until Next Time? Push to Pandemic-Proof the World as Political Will Wanes

MSF welcomes important resolution at World Health Assembly to strengthen countries’ disease testing capacity

WHA Approves Resolution on Rehabilitation; Fake Medicines and Disability Among Other Action Points

Resolution on Health of Indigenous Peoples Approved by WHA

WHA Gives a Go Ahead to the Global Health for Peace Initiative

Landmark Resolution on Chemical Pollution Passes World Health Assembly

Stronger Global Roadmap to Tackle NCDs is Finally Passed

With polio eradication in sight, WHA fears setbacks

DNDi Event: Accelerating universal health coverage with inclusive new tools

World No Tobacco Day 2023 Grow food, not tobacco

Stop harmful tobacco farming, grow food instead: WHO

Physical and mental health must be treated the same: experts at WHA

WHO target product profiles to shape global research and development

The Remaking of WHO Finances: WHO Could Become the First UN Agency to go the Replenishment Way; Countries Assert Their Role In Defining Health Emergencies Architecture

Where’s the Credit? Single Parents, Universal Credit and Mental Health

Global regulators agree on way forward to adapt COVID-19 vaccines to emerging variants

Benin: Meet the Woman Whose Study of Insects Helps Prevent Neglected Tropical Diseases

The international scandal of defective asparaginase: A blight on children with cancer

Academic development of medicines – a path to solving unmet medical needs

What could change in the fight against medicine shortages in Europe?

Will transparency of R&D costs lead to more affordable medicines?

Human rights: Food for an unfairly imposed thought ‘HR and UN reform 2’

Taliban Guidelines for Women’s Work ‘Nearly Complete’

Women in Indian prisons denied menstrual products despite rules

Uganda enacts harsh anti-LGBTQ law including death penalty

Migration can be a source of prosperity all countries, but only when it benefits migrants themselves

Reducing health inequalities through general practice

AI crop predictor aids Africa’s crisis planning

Air Pollution Advocates Say Time to Act Is Now

Carbon Tax: A Surprisingly Simple Contribution to Fight Climate Change

Brazil to host COP30 climate summit in the Amazon in 2025

The elephant in the room: How to restore Europe’s nature

Climate Carnage: Things Can Only Get Worse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Flash 527: Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

News Flash Links, as part of the research project PEAH (Policies for Equitable Access to Health), aim to focus on the latest challenges by trade and governments rules to equitable access to health in resource-limited settings

Yellow-cave sponge (Aplysina cavernicola)

News Flash 527

Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

 

Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly: watch live the sessions

Exclusive: Updated Pandemic Accord Draft Sees Watered Down Text on Publicly-Funded R&D; Pathogen Access and ‘Benefit Sharing’ Linkage Remain

Exclusive: WHO’s pandemic ‘countermeasures’ plan takes shape

Event: Ensuring equity in pandemics: Lessons learnt from Ebola therapeutics R&D and access constraints

Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly – Daily update: 22 May 2023

Bulletin #50: 75 years of WHO and 2 years of People’s Health Dispatch

WEMOS VACANCY: Institutional Fundraiser; deadline by June 2, 2023

BANKING ON HEALTH: the surging pandemic of health financialization

Addressing loss and damage: Insights from the humanitarian sector

G7 owes huge $13 trillion debt to Global South

Landmark report charts route for reorienting economies to deliver health for all

Webinar registration: A public health approach to incorporating anti-racism and structural discrimination in tackling racial and ethnic health disparities Jun 12, 2023

Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prioritizing the Health and Well-being of Refugees and Migrants in Libya  by Meftah Lahwel

Access Denied – Extractive Research & Development in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Will the medical oxygen industry learn a lesson from COVID-19?

WEMOS position paper: Eyes on the prize: regional production of medicines to achieve health equity, sovereignty and self-reliance

The Ubuntu Health Impact Fund: Promoting Competitive Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in Africa

Two Key Recommendations to Improve the Global Procurement Systems for Antimicrobials

Insights from a qualitative study of the procurement and manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients in India

Why is a curable disease still allowed to kill millions?

TDR and WHO announce TDA4Child, an operational research package to generate data on treatment decision algorithms for pulmonary tuberculosis in children

Transforming tuberculosis diagnosis

Scientists in Tahiti prepare to release sterilized mosquitoes to control dengue

Cholera vaccine shortage to last until 2025 as cases surge, Gavi says

Widely used chemical strongly linked to Parkinson’s disease

The Lead-Free Water Pledge: Steps Towards a Future of Lead-Free Drinking water

HRR 678: THE ONLY WAR WORTH FIGHTING IS THE ONE THAT FOCUSES ON FIGHTING AGAINST POVERTY

Horn of Africa: Over 7 million children under the age of 5 remain malnourished

World Hunger Day: Renewing Our Commitment to Elevating Women as Change Agents for Ending Hunger

East African Oil Pipeline ‘Doing Little, If Anything, to Change People’s Material Conditions

Road space reallocation in Scotland: A health impact assessment

UN Climate Conference to Feature First Ever Official ‘Health Day’

CO2 cuts in doubt as China, India bend coal targets

 

 

 

Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prioritizing the Health and Well-being of Refugees and Migrants in Libya

The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasised the vulnerability of refugees and migrants in Libya, as well as the necessity of investing in inclusive and accessible healthcare, collaboration and partnerships, economic and social support, preparedness and resilience measures, and enhancing the capacity of local NGOs to ensure a sustainable response. These insights can guide future efforts to ensure that refugees and migrants are better supported and protected during times of crisis

By Meftah Lahwel M.D.

 Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Prioritizing the Health and Well-being of Refugees and Migrants in Libya

 

Covid-19 is no longer classified as a “global health emergency,” as we have all read in the news over the past few days. However, this does not imply that the risk has passed and requires to strengthen global governance in health emergencies as well as to promote investments in into holistic, publicly financed UHC systems in “peace” times based on the lessons learnt from the pandemic. The pandemic’s catastrophic impact was largely attributed to the presence of social and economic inequities, which exacerbated its effects. It was evident that inequality played a significant role in worsening the consequences of the COVID pandemic.

COVID has caused an unprecedented worldwide crisis, with millions of lives lost, public health systems in shock, and economic and social devastation disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable populations. Local, national, regional, and global capacities have been tested by the pandemic.  COVID has a big and complicated influence. After emerging in 2019, COVID continues to spread over the world, overburdening public health and health care systems and resulting in several consequences, including long-term economic and societal effects. The pandemic of COVID is a timely reminder of the nature and consequences of International Public Health Emergencies.

Going back to the global situation prior to the COVID pandemic, COVID was not the first pandemic our world faced. Indeed, pandemics and epidemics have impacted our society ever since human settlements made the transmission of infectious diseases possible.

The International Health Regulations, despite being legally enforceable, were ineffective as preparation measures when COVID attacked the world. Scientists, public health officials, individuals, academic, private, and public institutions have warned of the potential threats posed by emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases with pandemic potential and urged investments in preparedness to respond effectively to this sort of emergencies. But many governments failed to recognize their strategic commitment to maintain a consistent and adequate level of preparedness, leaving the majority of these responsibilities to regional and other decentralized agencies that lacked the capacity to monitor compliance. In result, the world has underinvested significantly in pandemic preparedness. As a result, vulnerable populations such as migrants and refugees were impacted the most.

The already fragile health care system in Libya was severely impacted by the COVID pandemic. Due to the high rate of COVID-19 transmission among health workers and a paucity of PPE (personal protective equipment) and supplies, a large number of primary health care facilities were closed. The remaining functional medical facilities lacked all essential medications. The impact of the COVID pandemic was not limited to healthcare. It was expanded to include various socioeconomic aspects. Penury and economic deprivation make refugees and migrants prone to many morbidities like tuberculosis, scabies and malnutrition which healthcare by itself is not enough as solution.

For refugees and migrants in Libya, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented a unique set of challenges. The pandemic has underlined the vulnerabilities of these already marginalised populations, and the lessons learned during this period can inform future efforts to better safeguard their health and well-being.

The significance of having access to accurate and timely information is one of the most important lessons acquired from COVID-19 in Libya. A significant quantity of misinformation and rumours have been disseminated due to the pandemic, causing refugees and migrants to experience confusion and fear. This has made it difficult for these populations to take adequate precautions to safeguard themselves from the virus. In order for refugees and migrants to comprehend the virus and the protective measures they can take, it is crucial that they have access to accurate and prompt information.

The need for inclusive and accessible healthcare is an additional lesson learned. The pandemic has illuminated the disparities that refugees and migrants encounter in accessing healthcare services, such as limited availability, language barriers, and stigma. Due to concerns of deportation or discrimination, many refugees and migrants have been reluctant to seek medical care. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that healthcare services are available and accessible to all individuals, regardless of their status or origin.

Moreover, the pandemic has highlighted the significance of collaboration and partnerships among humanitarian organisations, local authorities, and communities. This partnership has facilitated a coordinated response to the pandemic and ensured that the requirements of refugees and migrants are met. For example, local authorities have collaborated with humanitarian organisations to provide access to medical care, distribute hygiene packages, and distribute food aid.

The impact of economic and social factors on refugees and migrants has also been brought to light by the pandemic. As a result of the pandemic, a significant number of refugees and migrants have lost their means of subsistence and are now confronting heightened destitution and insecurity. Therefore, it is crucial to address the economic and social effects of the pandemic so that refugees and migrants have access to the resources they need to survive and flourish.

Lastly, the pandemic has demonstrated the significance of preparedness and resilience in responding to crises. Investing in measures of preparedness and resilience can help ensure that refugees and migrants are better equipped to withstand future crises. Investing in infrastructure and education, for instance, can help create resilience among refugees and migrants, allowing them to deal with future crises more effectively.

In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasised the vulnerability of refugees and migrants in Libya, as well as the necessity of investing in inclusive and accessible healthcare, collaboration and partnerships, economic and social support, preparedness and resilience measures, and enhancing the capacity of local NGOs to ensure a sustainable response. These insights can guide future efforts to ensure that refugees and migrants are better supported and protected during times of crisis. Protecting the health and well-being of refugees and migrants is crucial for constructing a more just and equitable society.

 

By the same author on PEAH

Refugees and Migrants Access to Healthcare in Libya: Challenges and the Way Forward

News Flash 526: Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

News Flash Links, as part of the research project PEAH (Policies for Equitable Access to Health), aim to focus on the latest challenges by trade and governments rules to equitable access to health in resource-limited settings

Small Triplefin (Tripterygion melanurum)

News Flash 526

Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

 

Global Health Summer School 2023 – September 16-23 in Berlin.  Colliding crises: Global Health between war, security and human rights – application until May 15th

Event Registration: Accelerating innovation and access to #bettermeds4kids: a spotlight on paediatric medication challenges Date: 24 May 2023 Location: Hotel Warwick, 14 Rue de Lausanne-1201 Geneva

IUBMB Call for Applications: PROBio-Africa Fellowships deadline 15 May 2023

Webinar registration: Regional production for equitable access to medicines: do’s and don’ts May 17, 2023

Event Registration: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL SIDE EVENT: DIGITAL INNOVATION, NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND THE RIGHT TO HEALTH – INTERNATIONAL GENEVA GLOBAL HEALTH PLATFORM 23 June 2023, 13:00 – 14:30 Hybrid: Auditorium Ivan Pictet A1B, Maison de la paix, Geneva Graduate Institute and online

African problems need African solutions; the crucial role of community level partnership-working

Advancing Equity In The Pandemic Treaty

WHO declares end to COVID global health emergency

Statement from Emer Cooke on the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency

RECOVER: A Deep Dive into a Comprehensive Response to Covid-19 and Future Epidemics in West Africa

Toward Comprehensive Care for Long Covid

The Value of Communication in a Pandemic  by Nicolas Castillo

UN Multi-stakeholder Meetings Marred by Complaints About Lack of Consultation

EACOP TotalEnergies named one of the worst companies for attacks against human rights defenders

People’s Health Dispatch Bulletin #49: Preparations for the Peoples’ Health Assembly in Colombia under way

Lifesaving solution dramatically reduces severe bleeding after childbirth

HRR 677: HUMAN RIGHTS INITIATIVES ARE TOO IMPORTANT TO ALLOW THEM TO FAIL THROUGH TECHNICAL WEAKNESS, DONOR INDULGENCE AND GREAT POWERS CYNICISM

Empower the survivors: The silent suffering of far too many circumcised migrant women in Sweden

Migration management and external policy in Europe are increasingly connected – and that’s problematic

Lebanon: Migrant workers are abused and ignored under the Kafala system

A cry in wilderness for tribes as they don’t help parties laugh their way to votebank

Severe humanitarian crisis persists for people living under blockade in Djibo

In a sharp spike, new report finds quarter of a billion people hungry

Table salt needs extra iodine – Bangladesh study

Iraq asks for international aid to save its Tigris, Euphrates rivers from drought

Climate Change Threatens Kenya’s Historical Sites in Coastal Region

Race to Zero in Asia and Pacific: Our Hopes in the Climate Fight

An Omnibus Overview on Climate Change and Migration

AR6Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2023

Six dos and six don’ts for tackling the climate emergency

East African CSOs are calling for an end to fossil fuel investment as the 10th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition 2023 kicks off

Will Europe’s landmark climate scheme make Africa poorer?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Value of Communication in a Pandemic

This article emphasizes the crucial importance of communication during a health crisis. It highlights how accurate and up-to-date information, accessibility and inclusiveness in communication, empathy and compassion in the way of communicating, and the proper use of technology are key elements for effective communication in times of pandemic. The benefits of effective communication are mentioned, such as preventing the spread of the virus, promoting responsible behaviour, managing misinformation and promoting solidarity and emotional support. The challenges facing communication in a pandemic, such as misinformation and inequality in access to information, are also recognized

By Nicolas Castillo

Biochemical. Private Laboratory Santa Clara de Saguier Sanatorium, Santa Fe, Argentina

The Value of Communication in a Pandemic

  

Materials and Methods

The materials used in this study include data from various sources, including databases, public health reports, and scientific literature.

We conducted a comprehensive review of the literature on health communication in times of pandemic, using a systematic approach to identify relevant articles. We searched multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, using keywords related to epidemiological surveillance and pandemics. We also reviewed the websites of national and international public health organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to identify guidelines and protocols for pandemic surveillance.

The results of our review provide an overview of the key principles and challenges of health communication in times marked by pandemic.

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the way we communicate as a society. At a time when movement restrictions, social distancing and quarantine measures have disrupted our daily lives, communication has become more crucial than ever. The way we communicate with others, whether on a personal, community or global level, has proven to be a determining factor in managing the pandemic, disseminating accurate information and promoting solidarity and mutual support. This article will examine the value of communication in a pandemic, highlighting how effective communication can contribute to preventing and mitigating the negative effects of a public health crisis, as well as promoting resilience and recovery in difficult times. The various forms of communication used during the pandemic will be explored, including interpersonal communication, online communication, and communication by public health authorities and government leaders. In addition, communication challenges and opportunities in a pandemic will be discussed, such as the need to manage misinformation, the importance of empathy and compassion in communication, and the need to adapt to changes in communication way we communicate in a virtual environment. In summary, this article will highlight how effective communication has been a key resource in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and how its value in times of crisis has been instrumental in addressing challenges and building a stronger and more resilient community.

Development

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of effective communication in times of health crises. Communication has become an essential tool to address the challenges posed by the pandemic, and has played a fundamental role in preventing, mitigating and recovering from the negative effects of the crisis on society.

First, communication has been essential in preventing the spread of the virus. The dissemination of accurate and timely information on prevention measures, such as social distancing, the use of masks, hand hygiene, and public health guidelines, has been crucial to educate the population and promote responsible behaviors. Clear and accessible communication, aimed at diverse audiences and communication channels, has been essential to increase public awareness and encourage adherence to preventive measures.

Furthermore, effective communication has been essential in mitigating the negative effects of the pandemic. Up-to-date and accurate information on the evolution of the epidemiological situation, government restrictions and regulations, and available resources, has enabled individuals and communities to make informed decisions and adapt to changes in their environment. Communication has also been crucial in addressing misinformation and the spread of fake news, which can lead to confusion and panic in times of crisis. Communication based on science and credible sources has been critical to maintaining public trust and ensuring an effective response to the pandemic.

Additionally, communication has played a fundamental role in promoting solidarity and mutual support in times of crisis. Empathy and compassion in communication have been important in connecting with people affected by the pandemic, expressing emotional support, and promoting unity in the community. Communication has been used to mobilize resources, coordinate community efforts, and promote collaboration among different sectors of society, such as government, health organizations, businesses, and civil society.

Communication has also evolved during the pandemic, with a significant increase in online communication and the use of digital platforms. Virtual communication has become an important tool for maintaining social connectivity, distance education, telemedicine, and information dissemination. However, it has also raised challenges, such as the need to ensure the accessibility, reliability and privacy of information online, as well as the ability to adapt to the digital divide and ensure that everyone has access to the necessary information and resources.

In short, the value of communication in a pandemic is fundamental. Effective communication has been essential for the prevention, mitigation and recovery of the negative effects of the pandemic, promoting adherence to prevention measures, addressing misinformation, promoting solidarity and coordinating community efforts.

Discussion

Communication in a pandemic presents both opportunities and challenges. First, the rapid dissemination of accurate and up-to-date information has been crucial in preventing the spread of the virus and ensuring that the public is informed about government prevention and regulatory measures. However, there has also been a significant increase in misinformation and fake news, which has generated confusion and panic in society. The management of false information has become a major challenge for authorities and health professionals, and it is essential to promote the veracity and reliability of information in communication during a pandemic.

Another challenge is to ensure accessibility and inclusion in communication. The pandemic has exacerbated the digital divide and inequality in access to information, especially for marginalized and under-resourced communities. It is important to ensure that communication is accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, older people, and communities with language or cultural barriers. Promoting inclusive and equitable communication is essential to ensure that everyone has the information they need to protect themselves and face the pandemic.

Empathic and compassionate communication has also been essential in a pandemic. The health crisis has had a significant emotional impact on people, with loss of life, jobs, and changes in lifestyle. Communication must be sensitive to people’s emotions and needs, offering emotional support, showing empathy and providing support resources. Lack of empathy in communication can have negative effects on people’s mental and emotional health, and can undermine trust in authorities and in the information provided.

Despite the challenges, communication in a pandemic has also presented opportunities. The use of digital platforms and social networks has allowed a rapid dissemination of information at a global level, and has facilitated the connection and collaboration between people and communities. Virtual communication has been used for distance education, telemedicine, and to maintain social connectivity during times of physical distancing. Technology has opened up new forms of communication and has proven to be a valuable tool in managing the pandemic.

Effective communication in a pandemic is invaluable. It has been instrumental in preventing, mitigating and recovering from the negative effects of the crisis, promoting responsible behaviours, addressing misinformation, promoting solidarity and connecting people. However, it has also faced challenges in terms of managing misinformation, accessibility and inclusiveness, and empathy in communication. Adapting communication to changing circumstances and promoting truthful, inclusive and empathetic communication are essential to face the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities that communication offers in a pandemic.

Conclusion

In short, the value of communication in a pandemic is incalculable. Accurate and up-to- date information, accessibility and inclusion in communication, empathy and compassion in the way of communicating, and the appropriate use of technology are key elements for effective communication during a health crisis. Communication has been essential in preventing the spread of the virus, in promoting responsible behavior, in managing misinformation, in connecting and collaborating between people and communities, and in promoting solidarity and emotional support.

However, challenges have also been faced in terms of misinformation, inequalities in access to information, and the need for empathetic and compassionate communication in times of crisis. It is essential to address these challenges and adapt communication to changing circumstances to ensure that everyone has access to accurate and reliable information, and that people’s emotional needs are met.

In conclusion, effective communication in a pandemic is essential for public health and the well-being of society. The promotion of truthful, inclusive, empathetic communication and adaptation to the needs of the population is essential to face the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities that communication offers in times of crisis. The assessment and strengthening of communication in a pandemic contribute to the protection of the health and well-being of affected individuals and communities.

 

Declaration of Conflict of Interest: As the author, I declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Thanks: To my family for accompanying me at all times.

 

Bibliographic Citations

  • Liu, Q., Zheng, Z., Zheng, J., Chen, Q., Liu, G., & Chen, S. (2020). Health communication through mass media during the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak in China: digital issue modeling approach. Internet Journal of Medical Research, 22(4), e19118.
  • Bavel, JJV, Baicker, , Boggio, PS, Capraro, V., Cichocka, A., Cikara, M., … & Willer, R. (2020). Using the social and behavioral sciences to support the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nature Human Behavior, 4(5), 460-471.
  • Mian, & Khan, S. (2020). Coronavirus: The spread of misinformation. BMC Medicine, 18(1), 89.
  • Chan, MS, Jones, CR, Hall Jamieson, , & Albarracín, D. (2020). Debunking: A meta-analysis of the psychological efficacy of messages countering misinformation. Psychological Science, 31(11), 1381-1395.

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