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Gates and Clinton Urge Increased Investment in Global Health

March 10th, 2010

Today, former President Bill Clinton and Bill Gates appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to discuss the United States’ commitment to global health.   Recognized for their profound leadership in the field, each shared from personal experience the advances they have seen over the last 10 years in drug cost reductions, vaccine development, and treatment delivery and urged the Congress to continue funding these efforts.

They praised the work of previous administrations in targeting HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis and applauded the new Global Health Initiative (GHI) announced by President Obama last year that would develop greater integration in the delivery of healthcare in developing countries—particularly for women and children.   President Clinton noted that infrastructure development will be a key component in moving the global health agenda forward, along with raising awareness among the American people of the important role global health plays in U.S. foreign policy.  Although, neglected tropical diseases were not mentioned specifically, they are listed as a target in GHI.

Overall, the hearing was positive step in demonstrating that bi-partisanship still does exist in a few spots on Capitol Hill and with the right amount of persuasion and energy global health interventions cannot only transform a community, but save lives.

 

Watch the hearing here

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Posted in Global Development, Global Health, NTDs, Obama Administration, Politics, Public Health, U.S Government, policy, poverty

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Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities

March 8th, 2010

Today, March 8, 2010 marks International Women’s Day, a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. This years’ theme “Equal rights, Equal opportunities,” is a stark reminder of the unfinished agenda of giving women their rightful place at the table.  So as we reflect and commemorate this important day, we should take a critical look ahead at the opportunities that await future generations of women, opportunities to give women an equal voice and choice.

Interventions focused on neglected tropical disease (NTD) control and elimination could offer an opportunity for improving the health and rights of girls and women in the poorest countries of world. In his paper, Empowering Women and Improving Female Reproductive Health through Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases , Dr. Peter Hotez explains the devastating effects that NTDs have on women and girls in developing countries, by impairing reproductive health, increasing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections and promoting stigma and gender inequality.

The suffering that women and girls infected with NTDS is reflected best in the words of WHO Director-General who said “imagine the impact when a young woman with leprosy is told she can be fully cured, can marry, have children, and will not infect others. Just imagine the impact”  

So today, as we recognize the incredible women of the world who, despite all odds, have overcome  many obstacles to make it possible for us to celebrate this day, let us also use it as a call to action. We’re keeping our eyes locked on the future, when NTDs and other diseases that perpetuate gender inequality will be nothing but a thing of the past.

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Posted in Global Development, Global Health, Haiti, Latin America and the Caribbean, NTDs, Obama Administration, Public Health, Uncategorized, policy, reading list

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Global Network Joins Call to Fully Fund International Affairs Budget

March 5th, 2010

When the Obama Administration released its FY 2011 budget, it included $58.5 billion for International Affairs. This includes $8.8 billion allocated for global health issues. However, the United States’  struggling economy, record budget deficit, and huge debts has led to mounting political pressure to cut spending, including, unfortunately, the International Affairs account which supports global health initiatives and  a number of development programs that life people out of poverty and promote stability worldwide

Fortunately, the community is united! We’ve joined with a coalition of other non-profits, NGOs, faith-based organizations, and others to send a letter to members of the US House of Representatives and Senate, emphasizing the importance of the International Affairs budget in U.S. foreign policy. The full text of the letter is below.

If you’re interested in joining the dialogue, call your congressman to tell them you support U.S. foreign assistance.

Dear Member of Congress:

We the undersigned organizations support the president’s request of $58.5b, as the minimum amount needed for the International Affairs account for FY11. This amount is expected to be 1.4% of total outlays of federal spending in FY11.

Our support is based on factors as varied as our specific missions themselves. But we are united around a common belief that the budget for International Affairs is critical to U.S. foreign policy and our shared future with people and nations around the world.

Sincerely,

  1. Academy for Educational Development
  2. Action Against Hunger
  3. African Diaspora for Change
  4. Aid to Artisans
  5. American Red Cross International Services
  6. American Refugee Committee
  7. Better World Campaign
  8. Bread for the World
  9. CARE
  10. Church World Service
  11. Concern America
  12. Congressional Hunger Center
  13. Disciples Justice Action Network (Disciples of Christ)
  14. Episcopal Relief & Development
  15. FACE AIDS
  16. Friends Committee on National Legislation
  17. Friends of the Global Fight
  18. Friends of the World Food Program
  19. Global Campaign for Education
  20. Global Health Council
  21. Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Sabin Vaccine Institute
  22. Helen Keller International
  23. INMED Partnerships for Children
  24. InterAction
  25. International Association of Black Professionals in International Affairs
  26. International Center for Research on Women
  27. International Relief and Development
  28. Joint Aid Management
  29. Lutheran World Relief
  30. Malaria No More
  31. Management Sciences for Health
  32. Mercy Corps
  33. Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network
  34. Mothers Acting Up
  35. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
  36. National Education Association
  37. National Association of Evangelicals
  38. National Peace Corps Association
  39. New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good
  40. NuVsionPAC
  41. ONE
  42. Outreach Internationa
  43. Oxfam America
  44. Pact
  45. Pathfinder International
  46. Physicians for Human Rights
  47. Plan USA
  48. Plant With Purpose
  49. Population Action International
  50. PSI (Population Services International)
  51. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Washington Office
  52. RESULTS
  53. Save the Children
  54. Sierra Club
  55. Trickle Up
  56. United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
  57. United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
  58. US Fund for UNICEF
  59. White Ribbon Alliance
  60. Women Thrive Worldwide
  61. World Vision
  62. World Wildlife Fund

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Posted in Global Development, Global Health, NTDs, Obama Administration, Politics, U.S Government, policy

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River Blindness Transmission Cycle Broken in Ecuador

March 4th, 2010

Just this week the Ministry of Health and several other partners in the Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA) have declared onchocerciasis transmission has been halted in Ecuador. As per World Health Organization policy, Ecuador must now monitor and verify elimination for the next three years. In 2008, the Pan American Health Organization restated its dedication to eliminating river blindness in the Americas by 2012 and this announcement is an important step towards achieving that goal.

Onchocerciasis is transmitted by the bite of the black fly and a small, bite-transmitted worm parasite. This parasite, Onchocerca volvulus, causes skin irritation and can cause loss of sight. The illness is known as river blindness because the black flies breed in fast-moving bodies of water near affected communities. In order to break the disease transmission cycle, implementing organizations utilize the common practice of mass drug administration (MDA). In MDA programs, safe and affordable (often donated) drugs are distributed to entire communities several times a year. For onchocerciasis treatments, the Merck produced drug Mecitzan (ivermectan) is used at no cost. In the last twenty years over eight million doses have been distributed across the region in endemic communities.

OEPA is a regional collaboration that was started in 1993 by The Carter Center to treat the more than 500,000 people at risk for this disease across Latin America. The partnership includes the Pan American Health Organization (World Health Organization), the pharmaceutical company Merck, the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF), Lions Clubs International Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The OEPA program targets the six Latin American countries (Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Venezuela) where onchocerciasis is still a public health threat. Originally there were seven countries on this list, but Colombia achieved transmission interruption in 2008. In light of this week’s announcement, this list will be shortened to only five countries.

With a growing interest in the potential for elimination of onchocerciasis from Africa, the success of the programs in the Americas provides an experience base that can guide the next phase of the onchocerciasis program in Africa.

See Also: 

http://www.pahef.org/press/2010_river_blindness.html

http://www.aolnews.com/health/article/ecuador-halts-spread-of-river-blindness/19378514

http://www.cartercenter.org/news/pr/ecuador-030110.html

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Posted in Africa, Global Development, Global Health, Latin America and the Caribbean, NTDs, Politics, Public Health, poverty

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Vote for Neglected Tropical Diseases!

March 2nd, 2010

The Global Network is a finalist in Kiwanis International’s quest for their next World Service Project. If Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are chosen, this could make a HUGE impact in the control and elimination of diseases that affect 1.4 billion people worldwide!

 The Global Network’s Proposal is to ensure that more than 1 billion children born between 2003 and 2020 journey into adulthood as the first generation to grow and thrive without the burden of NTDs.Ending the neglected of these diseases will help bring prosperity to local economies, increase access to education, reduce poverty and most importantly, build sustainable development.

 

Please join the discussion and vote for Neglected Tropical Diseases!

http://sites.kiwanis.org/Kiwanis/en/worldwide-service-project/wsp-idd/joindiscussion.aspx

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Posted in Africa, Global Development, Global Health, Just 50 Cents, Latin America and the Caribbean, NTDs, grassroots, policy

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Sabin Vice-President Dr. Ciro de Quadros Receives Chesley Perry Award from Rotary International

February 26th, 2010

 

End Polio Now

Exciting News!

The Rotary Club of Chicago has presented Sabin Vice-President Dr. Ciro de Quadros with the Chesley Perry Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service for global polio eradication.

Dr. de Quadros led the team responsible for developing a surveillance and response strategy to eliminate polio from the Americas. Based on the success of the polio eradication strategy, the World Health Organization (WHO) committed to the global eradication of polio.

Worldwide, polio has been eliminated in all but four countries: Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan. The Americas were declared free from polio in 1994, the Western Pacific region in 2000, and Europe in 2002.

“Ciro’s contributions to worldwide polio eradication efforts are immeasurable and he continues to be a defining advocate for polio eradication in the few places where the disease remains,” said Sabin President Dr. Peter Hotez. “All of us at Sabin congratulate Ciro on receiving this distinguished award. With the strong support of champions like Ciro, the eradication of polio can be achieved in the near future.”

End Polio Now2

The award presentation on February 23rd coincided with Rotary International’s 105th anniversary and a global call to “End Polio Now.” Landmarks around the world including, Chicago’s Wrigley Building; the Egyptian Pyramid of Khafre; Buenos Aires’ Obelisk; and the Taipei 101 building displayed an “End Polio Now” banner calling attention to the devastating effects of polio, a crippling disease that can be fatal and disproportionately affects children under the age of five.

In addition to Dr. de Quadros, notable figures in attendance for the award presentation and lighting ceremony included: Illinois Governor Pat Quinn; Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley; the Reverend Jesse Jackson, President of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition; James Galloway, U.S. Assistant Surgeon General; and Ed Futa, General Secretary of Rotary International.

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Posted in Global Development, Global Health, Public Health, poverty

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Obama Administration Appoints New USAID Leader for Global Health Initiative

February 25th, 2010

Yesterday the Obama Administration took another step towards implementing its Global Health Initiative by appointing Amie Batson to lead USAID’s efforts for the GHI.  She will also serve as deputy assistant administrator for USAID.

 Ms. Batson comes to USAID after an illustrious 20 year career in the health field. She has held various positions at WHO, UNICEF, and most recently the World Bank. She was one of the founding members of the Global Alliance for Vaccines & Immunization, a major global partnership advancing the cause of immunization worldwide. Her efforts and innovative thinking, especially in the fields of financing, have helped provide medical services to millions of people worldwide. She received the President’s Award for Excellence in Innovation from the World Bank in 2002.

 Read more about USAID’s announcement of Ms. Batson’s appointment here.

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Posted in Global Development, Global Health, Obama Administration, Politics, Public Health, U.S Government, Uncategorized, policy, poverty

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Reading List 2/25/10

February 25th, 2010

Today we’re reading about reactions by Doctors Without Borders to the NTD aspects of the Obama Administration’s Global Health Initiative, an article about the difficulties registering new drugs in Africa to fight NTDs, and about an ongoing effort to combat lymphatic filariasis in southern India.

Fighting Deadly Neglected Tropical Diseases: Opportunities to Expand U.S. Impact in Control of NTDs, Doctors Without Borders

White House Called on to Expand Global Health Initiative, Doctors Without Borders

Registering New Drugs: the African context, Paul Chinnock, TropIKA.net

Filariasis Medicines to be Distributed, The Hindu

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Posted in Africa, Global Health, Just 50 Cents, NTDs, Obama Administration, Public Health, U.S Government, grassroots, policy, reading list

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New Paper Advises Universities on How to Aid NTD Efforts

February 24th, 2010

Recent trends have shown a dramatic increase in student interest in NTDs and global health in general. However, the role of universities in the field of NTDs has lagged behind student interest. While that’s happening, there is a widening innovation gap in NTD treatments and the field of NTDs remains largely underfunded. So in a field in need of innovation and research funding, what can universities do to create significant, positive change?

That very question is the topic of an editorial recently released in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases  by Dr. Peter Hotez, President of the Sabin Vaccine Institute, Sandeep Kishore, abiomedical fellow at Weill Cornell, The Rockefeller University, and Sloan-Kettering Institute, and Gloria Tavera, a Fullbright Research Scholar at the Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica in Mexico.

In the paper they recommend three key steps that universities can take. The first step is for universities to develop new seed funds for NTD research. These seed funds could go to providing new student fellowships, operational support, or any number of other beneficial purposes. The second step is eliminating IP barriers around NTD research. Removing those barriers would make the development of life-saving drugs quicker and cheaper. The third step is to create new metrics that favor NTDs regarding faculty appointments. Current metrics are biased against NTDs, contributing to the gap between student interest in global health and NTDs and the opportunities universities provide.

By following these three steps, universities can become key movers in the NTD field, making invaluable contributions and saving countless individuals from the grasp of disease.

To read the complete paper, click here.

*****

In addition, please visit http://globalnetwork.org/just50cents/campus-challenge to read about the Global Network’s signature grassroots effort to get college students involved in the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by becoming a Student Ambassador and fighting the world’s most neglected tropical diseases.

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Posted in Campus Challenge, Global Development, Global Health, NTDs, Public Health, reading list

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Good Read: Ending the Neglect of Neglected Tropical Diseases

February 19th, 2010

Here is some worthwhile weekend reading! Perfect for lounging out and sipping a cup of tea at a local coffee shop!

 The Population Research Bureau (PRB) put out a policy brief called “Ending the Neglect of Neglected Tropical Diseases.” The paper gives a good introduction and breakdown of NTDs, its global impact and the cost-effective and efficient solutions available now to help tackle them.

Check it out here

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Posted in Africa, Global Health, Haiti, Latin America and the Caribbean, NTDs, Obama Administration, U.S Government, Water and Sanitation, policy, poverty, reading list

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