PL06 - Resilience, Ownership, and Political Space: Getting Access to Health in the Mainstream Keynote Addresses and Forum Synthesis

The lecture by Barry Bloom was an excellent way to finish this brain-storming forum, for he encapsulated all the different issues regarding global health and its governance that had been discussed by the esteemed speakers at this conference. Mr. Bloom began his inspiring lecture by stating the importance of health to all peoples. Health is an unbelievably complex system with many factors influencing it and influenced by it. Among the different elements composing the health system are: agenda setting, financial and resource allocation, workforce and human resources, access, governance and delivery of services, all of which were covered during the three day conference. Furthermore, emphasised the speaker, health is both an individual and a shared responsibility. Consequently institutions are not just buildings, but connected sets of rules.

There are also many dilemmas when speaking of global health, for instance disease eradication vs. control, prevention vs. treatment, public vs. global rules in global health, hegemony vs. partnerships etc. Mr. Bloom also stressed the necessity of having a wider allocation and distribution of resources. He acknowledged the fact that it is a positive thing that money goes to the curing of HIV/AIDS, but there remains the need to fund prevention and treatment of NDCs and other illnesses. Education and research also play a crucial role. Education is a tool to inform, especially the populations of poorer and rural areas, while research serves as a tool which enables us to find educated solutions, to know what works and what does not. In 2003 Lawrence Summers said “The universality of science requires that scientists everywhere strive for the highest rigour and quality. There is no other area of human endeavour in which the application of thought and resources can make so profound a difference in as many people's lives as in the world of public health and biomedical research.”

The following speaker was just as inspiring, and very animated when discussing the way that one should think about health in terms of risk, prevention, vulnerability and the creation of a ‘golden mean’ in finding balance in order to create health reform. He emphasised that the combination of different perspectives on risk-intervention/vulnerability/resilience/transformation, would result in a better understanding of our societies, of our social and health issues and their implications for public health decision making. Thinking only in terms of risk is not enough, he stressed repeatedly. In addition, it is pivotal to possess the right tools. At times, reconciling thinking with tools is as important as it is difficult. Health officials should have a ‘system thinking’ approach and recognise the importance of the different inter-relationships within the health system. Ending on an optimistic note, the speaker advised all present not lose their passion for healthcare and to continue re-thinking and re-designing the way that we view health.

Following these speeches, an award ceremony took place, two health scholars were awarded for their beneficial discoveries in the field. The Anne Meurer-Cecchini Foundation was established in memory of a loving daughter, friend and researcher who met a tragic end. The award is to be made to scholars who make discoveries that have real impact on the lives of people. First winner of the award was Professor Shyam Sundar for his research on Single-dose liposomal Amphotericin B for Visceral Leishmaniasis in India. Unfortunately  he was unable to attend the ceremony.  

A second award was given to Dr. Gerardo Priotto for his research entitled Nifurtimox-effomithine combination therapy for second stage African Trypanosima brucei gambiense Trypanosomiasis: a multicenter, randomised, phase 3, non-inferiority trial. He thanked all those responsible for making this research possible.

Last but not least the director of the forum expressed his gratitude to all contributors who made the Global Health Forum possible and who helped in establishing its programme. Mr. Loutan acknowledged the importance that technology is playing in health but also with regards to this conference. Since many participants could not attend due to the volcanic cloud, many sessions were made available to them via the internet. He also added that in addition to technology being such a great facilitator, it was, first and foremost, the solidarity of all those present that made the Global Health Forum 2010 so successful. He asserted that this gave encouragement to all the organising staff. Finally he informed the participants that the next forum is already scheduled: the fourth edition of the Global Health Forum will be 16-18th April, 2012.