Global Health Matters

GHM Listener Reactions - Share your thoughts about this episode? [These text messages use your mobile phone and are private, and FREE.]"Trailblazers with Garry" is a new series from Global Health Matters, where host Dr Garry Aslanyan sits down with trailblazers — thinkers, leaders, and influencers shaping the future of global health — for short face-to-face conversations, available in both audio and video formats. It's a chance to get to know the people behind the work and hear their perspectives on the current global health landscape.Step inside the Wellcome Trust in London with our next trailblazer, the newly appointed CEO John-Arne Røttingen — former head of CEPI and Norway's Ambassador for Global Health — traces his leadership journey and vision for the foundation. He explains why bolder citizen-scientist partnerships are crucial to navigating the global-health funding crunch ahead.Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow us for updates:@TDRnews on XTDR on LinkedIn@ghm_podcast on Instagram@ghm-podcast.bsky.social on Bluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2025 Global Health Matters.Pre-roll content;We're in the full swing of our season four. If you just found us, we have close to 40 episodes for you to explore. You don't need to listen to them in sequence. You can look them up and choose a la carte topics and issues that most interest you. I promise you will want to hear them all.

GHM Listener Reactions - Share your thoughts about this episode? [These text messages use your mobile phone and are private, and FREE.]Whether you watched "2001: A Space Odyssey" movie or have recently experimented with ChatGPT, it's impossible to ignore the rapid rise of artificial intelligence in our daily lives. AI is often praised for its potential to transform healthcare. Yet how it will truly revolutionize the field remains unclear. In this episode, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with two experts at the forefront of AI's integration into national health systems. Alexandre Chiavegatto Filho, Professor of machine learning in health at the University of São Paolo, has been leading efforts to develop AI models tailored to Brazil's unique healthcare landscape. Jiho Cha, member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and Chairperson of the AI Future Strategy Special Committee, brings insights into the policy and strategy shaping AI's role in healthcare.Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow us for updates:@TDRnews on XTDR on LinkedIn@ghm_podcast on Instagram@ghm-podcast.bsky.social on Bluesky for updates Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2025 Global Health Matters.  Pre-roll content;We're in the full swing of our season four. If you just found us, we have close to 40 episodes for you to explore. You don't need to listen to them in sequence. You can look them up and choose a la carte topics and issues that most interest you. I promise you will want to hear them all.

GHM Listener Reactions - Share your thoughts about this episode? [These text messages use your mobile phone and are private, and FREE.]In this episode of Dialogues, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with Chikwe Ihekweazu, Assistant Director General at the World Health Organization (WHO) and acting Regional Director for the WHO Regional Office for Africa, and his wife, Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch. The conversation centers on their latest book, An Imperfect Storm: A Pandemic and the Coming of Age of a Nigerian Institution.  Chikwe discusses his personal journey in establishing the Nigerian Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria as well as how they as a couple balance personal life with demanding work during challenging times.Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow us for updates:@TDRnews on XTDR on LinkedIn@ghm_podcast on Instagram@ghm-podcast.bsky.social on Bluesky for updates Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2025 Global Health Matters.  Pre-roll content;We're in the full swing of our season four. If you just found us, we have close to 40 episodes for you to explore. You don't need to listen to them in sequence. You can look them up and choose a la carte topics and issues that most interest you. I promise you will want to hear them all.

GHM Listener Reactions - Share your thoughts about this episode? [These text messages use your mobile phone and are private, and FREE.]From a global challenge to the Maasai steppe of TanzaniaMost climate change predictions show an upward trend in temperature for at least the next nine decades. Rural communities whose health and livelihoods depend on the environment are more vulnerable to climate change. In recent years, persistent droughts have made Maasai communities in northern Tanzania vulnerable to sleeping sickness, a disease spread by the tsetse fly. Paul Gwakisa of Sokoine University has dedicated his research to helping the Maasai people better understand and prevent outbreaks of sleeping sickness in their communities. Pierre Quiblier of the UN Environment Programme also speaks about global efforts to better tackle climate change through an integrated “One Health” approach that brings together sectors such as agriculture, health and the environment.Host Garry Aslanyan is joined by the following guests:Paul Gwakisa,Professor of Immunology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, TanzaniaPierre QuiblierProgramme Officer, Chemicals and Health Branch, United Nations Environment ProgrammeRelated episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow us for updates:@TDRnews on XTDR on LinkedIn@ghm_podcast on Instagram@ghm-podcast.bsky.social on Bluesky for updates Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2025 Global Health Matters.  Pre-roll content;We're in the full swing of our season four. If you just found us, we have close to 40 episodes for you to explore. You don't need to listen to them in sequence. You can look them up and choose a la carte topics and issues that most interest you. I promise you will want to hear them all.

GHM Listener Reactions - Share your thoughts about this episode? [These text messages use your mobile phone and are private, and FREE.]"Trailblazers with Garry" is a new series from Global Health Matters, where host Garry Aslanyan sits down with trailblazers — thinkers, leaders, and influencers shaping the future of global health — for short face-to-face conversations, available in both audio and video formats. It's a chance to get to know the people behind the work and hear their perspectives on the current global health landscape.Our first trailblazer is Tulio de Oliviera, Director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Tulio was recognized by Time magazine in 2024 as one of the 100 most influential people in global health. He led the research group that confirmed the Beta and Omicron variants of COVID-19 and led the early trials in testing COVID-19 vaccine efficacy in South Africa. Garry sat down with Tulio in his lab to hear about his experience behind the discoveries and also to discuss the progress made in pandemic preparedness.Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow us for updates:@TDRnews on XTDR on LinkedIn@ghm_podcast on Instagram@ghm-podcast.bsky.social on Bluesky for updates Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2025 Global Health Matters.  Pre-roll content;We're in the full swing of our season four. If you just found us, we have close to 40 episodes for you to explore. You don't need to listen to them in sequence. You can look them up and choose a la carte topics and issues that most interest you. I promise you will want to hear them all.

GHM Listener Reactions - Share your thoughts about this episode? [These text messages use your mobile phone and are private, and FREE.]With so many pressing global health challenges and limited resources, what determines whether an issue makes it onto the global health agenda? What factors shape its priority status? In this episode, using oral health as a case example, we take a closer look at the framing of global health issues. Host Garry Aslanyan speaks with Habib Benzian, a dentist, professor of epidemiology and health promotion at New York University and Co-Director of the WHO Collaborative Center on Oral Health. Bulela Vava is a dentist and President of the Public Oral Health Forum in South Africa. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2024 Global Health Matters.    Pre-roll content;We're in the full swing of our season four. If you just found us, we have close to 40 episodes for you to explore. You don't need to listen to them in sequence. You can look them up and choose a la carte topics and issues that most interest you. I promise you will want to hear them all.

"FAN MAIL - How does this episode resonate with you?"In this episode, we turn the lens on ourselves as the global health community. Host Garry Aslanyan speaks with Hani Kim and Seye Abimbola about how elite global health actors can marginalize local perspectives and knowledge. They stress the importance of localizing efforts and acknowledging implicit biases to address the structural inequalities that perpetuate health disparities. Seye Abimbola is Associate Professor at the University of Sydney School of Public Health and inaugural editor-in-chief of BMJ Global Health, and Hani Kim is Executive Director of the Research Investment for Global Health Technology (RIGHT) Foundation in South Korea.Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2024 Global Health Matters.   Pre-roll content;We're in the full swing of our season four. If you just found us, we have close to 40 episodes for you to explore. You don't need to listen to them in sequence. You can look them up and choose a la carte topics and issues that most interest you. I promise you will want to hear them all.

"FAN MAIL - How does this episode resonate with you?"This two-part episode shines a light on the lived experiences of two remarkable individuals affected by NTDs. We explore firsthand how disability influences and affects their lives. In part 2, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with Dan Izzett, a former civil engineering technician and pastor who has turned his retirement into a powerful mission advocating for people living with leprosy. Peter Waddup, the CEO of the Leprosy Mission in Great Britain, provides a thoughtful reflection on Dan's message and its practical implications for the global health community. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2024 Global Health Matters.  Pre-roll content;We're in the full swing of our season four. If you just found us, we have close to 40 episodes for you to explore. You don't need to listen to them in sequence. You can look them up and choose a la carte topics and issues that most interest you. I promise you will want to hear them all.

"FAN MAIL - How does this episode resonate with you?"This two-part episode shines a light on the lived experiences of two remarkable individuals affected by NTDs. We explore firsthand how disability influences and affects their lives. In part 1, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with Mulikat Okanlawon, a survivor of noma in Nigeria and President of the Elysium Noma Survivors Association. Thanks to the tireless advocacy of Mulikat and other survivors, noma was officially recognized as an NTD by the World Health Organization in 2023. Claire Jeantet, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, speaks about collaborating with Mulikat over the past eight years to bring her story and the stories of other noma survivors to policymakers, academics and the public.Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2024 Global Health Matters.  Pre-roll content;We're in the full swing of our season four. If you just found us, we have close to 40 episodes for you to explore. You don't need to listen to them in sequence. You can look them up and choose a la carte topics and issues that most interest you. I promise you will want to hear them all.

"FAN MAIL - How does this episode resonate with you?"In this episode of Dialogues, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with Themrise Khan, a Pakistani independent development professional and researcher with almost 30 years of experience in international development, aid effectiveness, gender and global migration. Themrise is also the co-editor of the book "White saviorism in international development: theories, practices and lived experiences." In this dialogue, she shares her views on the origins of this concept and how it continues to influence national autonomy, global power imbalances and race relations.Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2024 Global Health Matters.   Pre-roll content;We're in the full swing of our season four. If you just found us, we have close to 40 episodes for you to explore. You don't need to listen to them in sequence. You can look them up and choose a la carte topics and issues that most interest you. I promise you will want to hear them all.

"FAN MAIL - How does this episode resonate with you?"The world is witnessing its largest youth generation ever, with half of the global population under 30. A sustainable future hinges on the meaningful engagement of young people. In this episode, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with three charismatic young global health leaders. Inês Costa Louro is a first-year medical doctor from Portugal and the former Vice President for External Affairs of the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations. Aloyce Urassa is a public health scientist from Tanzania and Chairperson of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance Youth Advisory Council. And Hamaiyal Sana is a Pakistani medical doctor and Vice Chair of the World Health Organization's Youth Council. Together, they delve into the crucial role young people are playing in shaping health-related decision-making today and in the future.Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2024 Global Health Matters.  Pre-roll content;We're in the full swing of our season four. If you just found us, we have close to 40 episodes for you to explore. You don't need to listen to them in sequence. You can look them up and choose a la carte topics and issues that most interest you. I promise you will want to hear them all.

"FAN MAIL - How does this episode resonate with you?"UNICEF estimates that 13% of adolescents live with a diagnosed mental health disorder, with depression and anxiety accounting for 40%. To explore the challenges surrounding the mental health of today's youth, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with Jaime Young, a passionate youth leader, mental health advocate and family caseworker at the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund, and Zeinab Hijazi, a clinical psychologist and Global Lead on Mental Health at UNICEF. Together, they discuss how resilience can be cultivated and share inspiring examples of young people around the world developing solutions for mental health for their peers. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2024 Global Health Matters.  

"FAN MAIL - How does this episode resonate with you?"Significant progress has been made towards a malaria-free world. Forty-three countries have successfully eliminated malaria, with Cabo Verde becoming the third African country declared malaria-free earlier this year. Africa, however, still continues to experience the highest share of the global malaria burden, with 94% of malaria cases and malaria deaths. To discuss the challenges and opportunities to eliminate malaria, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with two influential African women leaders. Francine Ntoumi is the Founder, President and Executive Director of the Congolese Foundation for Medical Research in the Republic of the Congo who served as the first African leader of the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria. Corine Karema is the Director of Malaria, NTDs and Global Health at Quality & Equity HealthCare in Rwanda. Corine is also the former Director of the Rwanda National Malaria Control Programme and served as Interim CEO of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership.Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2024 Global Health Matters. 

"FAN MAIL - How does this episode resonate with you?" “Dialogues” is a series from the Global Health Matters podcast where we bring you interviews featuring fresh perspectives on global health issues. The goal of each Dialogues episode is to break through the echo chambers that exist in global health through in-depth, thoughtful conversations. In this episode of Dialogues, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with Peter Hotez, an internationally-recognized physician-scientist in neglected tropical diseases and vaccine development. In 2022, Hotez and his colleague  Maria Elena Bottazzi were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for “their work to develop and distribute a low-cost COVID-19 vaccine to people of the world without patent limitation.” He is also one of the leading defenders of vaccines in the United States and the author of several books, including "Preventing the Next Pandemic," "The Deadly Rise of Anti-Science" and “Vaccines did not cause Rachel's autism.”Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2024 Global Health Matters. 

We kick off season 4 of the Global Health Matters podcast with an episode that highlights the remarkable career journeys of two research leaders and the role of capacity development in their formation. Host Garry Aslanyan speaks with Wilfried Mutombo, the Head of Clinical Operations at the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as Yasmine Belkaid, President of the Institut Pasteur in France. As this episode is produced in celebration of the 50th anniversary of TDR, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, TDR Director John Reeder also joins this episode to reflect on the challenges and future frontiers of capacity development.Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2024 Global Health Matters. 

This bonus episode is slightly different as our Executive Producer and Host Garry Aslanyan changes seats with Senior Producer, Lindi van Niekerk, to look behind the scenes of the Global Health Matters podcast. Many of you, our listeners, were curious about what it takes to host and produce your favourite podcast. Producing a podcast is both an art and a skill. It requires great consideration in identifying representative guests, asking thoughtful questions, and drawing out relevant and transferable lessons for a global audience. A podcast also requires a talented and multi-disciplinary team.Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2024 Global Health Matters. 

Dialogues is a new series from the Global Health Matters podcast where we bring you interviews featuring fresh perspectives on global health issues. The goal of each Dialogues is to break through the echo chambers that exist in global health through in-depth, thoughtful conversations. In this episode of Dialogues, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with Kinari Webb, a medical doctor, public health innovator and thought leader on how human and planetary health are linked. Kinari's journey started at the age of 21 when she worked as a research student in the rainforests of West Kalimantan in Indonesia. Years later, she established a non-profit organization called Health in Harmony. In her book “Guardians of the trees,” Kinari outlines how she and her team developed a novel model that provides health care as an incentive to protect the environment.Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2024 Global Health Matters. 

In an age where misinformation and disinformation are valid threats to global health, reliable and trustworthy journalism is essential. In this episode, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with two health journalists who might tell the same story in different ways because of their respective audiences.  Stephanie Nolen, the global health reporter for The New York Times, has reported from more than 80 countries around the world. Paul Adepoju is a Nigeria-based freelance health journalist and scientist who regularly reports for top media and science outlets such as Nature, The Lancet, Devex and CNN. He is also the community manager of the Global Health Crisis Forum, which is part of the International Center for Journalists. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2024 Global Health Matters. 

Dialogues: a conversation with Olusoji AdeyiDialogues is a new series from the Global Health Matters podcast where we bring you interviews featuring fresh perspectives on global health issues. The goal of each Dialogue is to break through our echo chambers that exist in global health through in-depth, thoughtful conversations. In this episode of Dialogues, host Garry Aslanyan speaks withOlusoji (Soji) Adeyi, a Nigerian global health practitioner, the President of Resilient Health Systems and a Senior Associate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. In his book, “Global health in practice: investing amidst pandemics, denial of evidence and neo-dependency” (World Scientific, 2022), Soji brings together real-life case studies on issues such as development aid, access to medicines and community involvement. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2024 Global Health Matters. 

It's estimated that 68% of the world's population will be living in cities by 2050. In this episode, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with two pioneering leaders who have taken up the quest to make their cities healthier places by encouraging safe and active mobility. Jesús Carlos Soto is the Head of the Mobility and Transportation Department of the city of Guadalajara, and Silpa Wairatpanij is a Committee Member of the Thailand Walking and Cycling Institute Foundation in Bangkok. Guadalajara and Bangkok are two of 73 cities in Partnership for Healthy Cities, a global network of cities committed to reducing noncommunicable diseases and injuries through evidence-based interventions. The Partnership is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Vital Strategies and the World Health Organization.Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2024 Global Health Matters. 

In part 2 of our episode on the geopolitics of global health, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with Ayoade Alakija, who says "everyone in the health sector must have a basic understanding and training in geopolitics." Ayoade is the co-chair of the African Union's African Vaccine Delivery Alliance and WHO Special Envoy and co-chair for the ACT-Accelerator. She speaks about the world becoming a “geopolitical cauldron” and how that directly influences global health practice and policy.Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2024 Global Health Matters. 

In part 1 of our episode on the geopolitics of global health, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with Ricardo Baptista Leite, who maps his career journey from treating patients with HIV and tropical diseases to serving four terms as a Member of Parliament in Portugal. He is also the founder and president of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, which brings together current and former political leaders in more than 100 countries pushing for science-based health policies. Together, Garry and Ricardo reflect on the global forces and factors that shape the economic, social, and political landscape affecting health for all. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2024 Global Health Matters. 

Dialogues is a new series from the Global Health Matters podcast where we bring you interviews featuring fresh perspectives on global health issues. The goal of each Dialogue is to break through our echo chambers that exist in global health through in-depth, thoughtful conversations. In this episode of Dialogues, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with Vidya Krishnan, a health-focused Indian investigative author. Vidya's book, “The phantom plague: how tuberculosis shaped history” (PublicAffairs Books, 2022), is about how history shaped tuberculosis, especially in India, and how tuberculosis transmission persists because of conditions such as poverty, crowding, a lack of political commitment and poor public policies. She notes in her book that “poverty is the disease, tuberculous is the symptom.” This conversation reminds us, as global health professionals, of many challenges on the long road ahead toward the ultimate goal of tuberculosis elimination and the importance of community engagement. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2023 Global Health Matters. 

According to WHO, improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) can save 1.4 million lives a year. In this episode, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with Annie Msosa, the Advocacy Advisor for WaterAid in Malawi, who speaks about a recent cholera outbreak in her country that revealed the dangers of unsafe water in health care facilities. David Wheeler, the Executive Director of the Reckitt Global Hygiene Institute in the United States, makes the case for investing in WASH as an essential approach to preventing disease.Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2023 Global Health Matters. 

In this episode, our guests tackle snakebite, a topic suggested by one of our research partner organizations, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) in Brazil. While snakebite is a neglected public health issue, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that each year, 5.4 million people are bitten by snakes, and up to 137,880 people die from snake bites. Host Garry Aslanyan speaks with Fan Hui Wen and Thea Litschka-Koen, snakebite gurus in Brazil and Eswatini, respectively, who reveal untold truths about snake bites in their communities and the complexities associated with producing and administering antivenom. Diogo Martins, the research lead for snakebite at Wellcome in the United Kingdom, makes the case for why we should consider snakebite a global health issue.Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  All content © 2023 Global Health Matters. 

The Safeguarding Health in Conflict coalition recently published a report that documented 232 health workers killed, more than 700 incidents where health facilities were damaged and almost 300 health personnel kidnapped in 2022. This episode dives into the circumstances and risks health workers face in conflict settings. Host Garry Aslanyan speaks to a health worker who has been on the frontline of recent conflict in Sudan. Their testimony is discussed with Susannah Sirkin, former Director of Policy at Physicians for Human Rights, and Samer Jabbour, a cardiologist who has worked in the area of conflict in health since war broke out in his home country of Syria. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization  All content © 2023 Global Health Matters. 

Dialogues is a new series from the Global Health Matters podcast that includes interviews with some of the world's sharpest global health minds and brightest thinkers. The goal of each Dialogue is to go beyond the echo chambers that exist in global health and to have in-depth conversations with guests who have explored global health issues from their multi-disciplinary perspectives.In this episode of Dialogues, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with Daisy Hernández about her personal experience with Chagas disease and the journey she undertook to understand it while writing her book. Daisy is an essayist, memoirist and journalist. Her work focuses on the intersections of race, ethnicity, immigration, class and sexuality. She is the author of “The Kissing Bug: A true story of a family, an insect and a nation's neglect of a deadly disease” (Tin House, 2021), which won the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award and was named a top 10 nonfiction book of 2021 by Time magazine. This conversation reminds us, as global health professionals, to go beyond our public health silos and to present our work in a way that motivates experts, policy-makers and lay audiences towards greater action.Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization  All content © 2023 Global Health Matters. 

In the second of our history matters episodes suggested by you, our listeners, our two guests reflect on their personal experiences and engage in an intergenerational discussion on the evolution of sexual and reproductive health. Host Garry Aslanyan's guests are Carmen Barroso, a lifetime advocate, researcher and implementer for sexual and reproductive health, and Dakshitha Wickremarathne, senior technical lead overseeing the implementation of FP2030's Asia Pacific Hub. The discussion highlights how history supports future leaders through intergenerational learning and charts a hopeful path for the evolution of key global health challenges.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization  All content © 2023 Global Health Matters. 

This episode brings together two grassroots advocates for clean air who share country case studies from India and South Africa, explaining why it is impossible to have healthy people living on a sick planet.Host Garry Aslanyan navigates the concepts of environmental justice and the impact of air pollution on communities with Shweta Narayan from Health Care Without Harm, who shares how community health workers were successful in pushing for stronger pollution control measures, and Rico Euripidou from groundWork, who reiterates the need for the health sector to advocate for environmental justice.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization  All content © 2023 Global Health Matters. 

In this episode we explore the multifaceted history of global health and how the narratives borne out of colonization, geopolitical events, and national ownership of public health inform policy and practices today. Among the narratives is that of the World Health Organization, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Host Garry Aslanyan navigates global health history with two guests. Sanjoy Bhattacharya considers the decolonization of global health and the democratic founding of WHO, which holds great promise for WHO's future. Anne-Emanuelle Birn speaks about the evolution of global health and the rise of other key players that are shaping the health agenda. This is the first of our history matters episodes that we will bring to you during this season of Global Health Matters.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization  All content © 2023 Global Health Matters. 

The growing popularity of podcasts as an innovative platform for sharing experiences and views on a wide range of topics was one of the inspirations for starting Global Health Matters. As engaging and learning from our stakeholders is one of our goals, we invited some fellow podcasters and our listeners to join a live Twitter Space discussion on how podcasts are sparking conversations on global health. This bonus episode shares some highlights from the Twitter Space moderated by our podcast host Garry Aslanyan, covering topics such as the unique advantages of podcasts compared with other communication tools, the accessibility of podcasts, and how they are used by educators in the classroom. Guests: -Emmanuella Amoako, co-host of Global Health Unfiltered podcast -Leshawn Benedict and Gordon Thane, hosts of Public Health Insight podcast -Mark Goldberg, host of Global Dispatches podcast -Priti Patnaik, editor of Geneva Health FilesRelated episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.We are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization  All content © 2023 Global Health Matters. 

How can scientists and diplomats work together to advance the global health agenda? Ilona Kickbusch, who founded the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute, reflects on her experiences working within science diplomacy and the importance of having strong evidence to be able to reach a diplomatic consensus. She also urges scientists to initiate dialogue with policy-makers and diplomats. Aída Mencía Ripley, Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Universidad Iberoamericana in the Dominican Republic, shares an insightful case study of how diplomacy enabled researchers at her university to contribute to the national COVID-19 response.Guests:Ilona Kickbusch: Founder and Chair of the International Advisory Board, Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute Aída Mencía Ripley: Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Universidad IberoamericanaRelated episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.We are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization  All content © 2023 Global Health Matters. 

We kick off the new year with a conversation about new advances in technologies that are transforming public health practice. In this episode, we explore the promise and perils of artificial intelligence (AI), big data, infodemics and the importance of culturally appropriate innovations.  While speaking with Florence 2.0, an AI health worker, host Garry Aslanyan tries to get advice on leading a healthier lifestyle. Yara Aboelwaffa, co-founder of Health 2.0 Egypt, tells us about the fastest-growing innovations in the Middle East. And Tim Mackey, co-founder of a health care big data startup, shares the realities of attracting funding for public health-focused innovations. Guests:Yara Aboelwaffa -  Independent digital health consultant Tim Mackey - Professor, University of California San DiegoRelated episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.We are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization  All content © 2023 Global Health Matters. 

Corruption is one of the most important barriers to implementing universal health coverage around the world; imagine what that world would look like! The subject of corruption in global health is often muted and totally taboo for some to even think it. This podcast episode on corruption is opening up the discussion to a wider audience to understand the scale of the problem for health systems and to hold more people to account for their part in the resulting damage. For this Global Health Matters podcast episode, our host Dr Garry Aslanyan delves deep into the topic to uncover the sources, the offenders and the solutions from our panel of experts. Together they are able to define the subject matter, provide examples from around the globe and piece together the puzzle of how to solve this conundrum.  Monica Kirya – Senior Adviser, U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre  Patty Garcia – Former Minister of Health, Peru. Professor of Public Health, Cayetano Heredia University  Jonathan Cushing - Global Health Programme Director, Transparency International  Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. We are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization  All content © 2022 Global Health Matters. 

The seasonal influenza virus, or flu as it is widely known, infects over a billion people a year, resulting in up to 650,000 respiratory deaths annually.   For this Global Health Matters podcast episode TDR have partnered with GISRS, the World Health Organization's Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System. Podcast host Dr Garry Aslanyan brings together two professors to share their unique experiences from both the global and national level of the influenza response: GUESTS: Mahmudur Rahman – Former Director, Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research and National Influenza Center  John McCauley – Director, Worldwide Influenza Centre, Francis Crick InstituteIn Bangladesh, we learn from Mahmudur Rahman, the former director of the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control, that seasonal influenza was not considered that much as a very serious disease as, before SARS-Cov-2, they did not have the capacity to diagnose it properly.    John McCauley from the World Influenza Centre is passionate about looking at ways to provide an integrated approach to better deal with the initial identification of respiratory infections such as RSV or SARS, this surveillance is important as they require different responses.   By building on the country-led support, knowledge and infrastructure that was built during the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic this could prove to be a game changer for seasonal influenza in the future.     Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.  We are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.   Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.   Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.   Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization  All content © 2022 Global Health Matters. 

 Global Health Matters is the monthly podcast from TDR, if you like our content then please subscribe. We embrace the fact that public health and global health are intertwined and through our podcast we hope to engage with broader topics bringing together experts from across the globe providing a platform for wider engagement.     For this episode we bring you a topic that rarely reaches the top of the global health agenda, that is the subject of the health of refugees and migrants.  This podcast episode lays out the key issues for the listener and through our guests it builds an awareness to ensure this topic gets better attention in the future. Global Health Matters host Garry Aslanyan speaks with the following guests:  Eugen Ghita Human Rights Monitor and President, Roma Lawyers Association, Romania RomaJust  Reem Mussa Humanitarian Advisor and Coordinator of the Forced Migration Team, Médecins Sans Frontières  During this podcast we hear the health experiences of Eugen Ghita, who was a migrant and he is now working as a human rights monitor on behalf of the Roma community in Europe.  Eugen identified that there is a lack of information dedicated to the refugees and many language barriers.   Reem Mussa from MSF is able to give us context in relation to the policies of the different types of refugees and migrants.  Many countries do allow for access to health care regardless of the legal status of people, but not all, some may only provide for emergency healthcare.  MSF promotes the importance of a separation between border control/ immigration schemes and healthcare access as some migrants without right to remain may fear authorities or deportation and so not access healthcare for that reason.   Kindly note that this podcast discusses mental health for refugees and migrants, TDR would like to refer you to WHO guidance for those seeking further support.    Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.  We are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.   Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.   Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.   Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization  All content © 2022 Global Health Matters. 

Global Health Matters is the monthly podcast from TDR, please subscribe.  GHMs brings you topical subjects and insightful discussions with health experts from across the globe, including a focus on low-to middle-income countries. Are you a professional looking to progress further or perhaps a global health student at the early stage of your career? There are so many routes to get into a career in global health, so this podcast episode discussion is with two career professionals sharing their knowledge of how they chose their path and giving clear guidance on ways to get the support needed to increase opportunities to make a difference in the ever pressing global health challenges.  Global Health Matters host Garry Aslanyan speaks with the following guests: Stephanie Topp: Associate Professor, Global Health and Development, College of Public Health, James Cook UniversityRenzo Guinto: Chief Planetary Health Scientist, Sunway Centre for Planetary Health and Director, Planetary and Global Health, St. Luke's Medical Center Stephanie Topp looks at how global health can support the next generation of thinkers and leaders, and suggests that networked capacity building and an emerging voices model is a critical example. Renzo Guinto wants to listen to different voices and challenge power structures to address the inequities that global health is trying to address.Related documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. We are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization 

An important Global Health Matters podcast topic this month, discussing the need to build an awareness of the ways we interact with colleagues in the workplace to adapt our programmes to be more inclusive.  We need to talk about “the future of global health through diversity and dignity”.  Host Garry Aslanyan interviews our special guests who have a deep understanding of diversity and dignity and their application worldwide.  Our first guest, Marie Ba, is from Ouagadougou Partnership where she advocates for reproductive health and development across West and Central Africa.  Marie Ba questions whether diversity is just a tick-box exercise, ensuring that we break down the definition and elements that make up the term “diversity”.  Tom Wein is based in Kenya where he leads research on dignity in development with IDinsight.  By analysing further the two concepts of diversity and dignity together, the link is formed and shows that representation is only one aspect, and that agency and equality also need to be factored in to realize dignity within diversity.     Join us in this podcast episode to develop a broader understanding of the future of global health through diversity and dignity.   Guests are: Marie Ba, Director of the Ouagadougou Partnership Coordination UnitTom Wein, Director, Dignity Initiative IDinsightRelated documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website atThe future of global health is through diversity and dignity (who.int) We are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter.  Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a new global awareness of the accessibility of diagnostics: we need to test to protect with equal access for all. In this episode of Global Health Matters, we answer key questions such as “how available are essential diagnostics in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)?”   Host Garry Aslanyan interviews our special guests who have a deep understanding of diagnostics and their application worldwide. Bill Rodriguez is CEO of FIND, the global alliance for diagnostics, and is also founder of his own diagnostics company, Daktari Diagnostics. Our second guest is Sikhulile Moyo who led the team that helped discover the Omicron variant in Botswana through careful cross-examination of COVID-19 tests.   Join us in this podcast episode to understand the state of diagnostic testing in LMICs and how to achieve equity in access to testing in all countries.     Guests are: ·        Bill Rodriguez, CEO, FIND·        Sikhulile Moyo, Research Laboratory Director, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership Related documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website athttps://tdr.who.int/global-health-matters-podcast/test-to-protect-equal-access-to-diagnostics-for-allWe are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.

What are the differences between the various paths to a disease-free world? Why are we pursuing eradication of some diseases while for others, control or elimination is the more realistic option? In this episode, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with three experts who answer these questions and more. Uche Amazigo shares lessons she learned during her tenure as the Director of the WHO African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control; David Reddy discusses the new and exciting innovations for malaria elimination; and Aidan O'Leary makes the case for pursuing worldwide eradication of polio. Join us in this discovery of what is needed to reduce or remove the risk of infectious diseases.     Guests are: Uche Amazigo, CEO, Pan-African Community Initiative on Education and Health David Reddy, CEO, Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) Aidan O'Leary, Director, Polio Eradication, WHO Related documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website at https://tdr.who.int/global-health-matters-podcast/paths-to-a-disease-free-world-control-eliminate-and-eradicateWe are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.

Episode 12Championing health equity in South AfricaAs the world commits to equitable access to medicines and vaccines, is this just on paper or a reality?  In the case of COVID-19, as of early March 2022, 74% of those in high-income countries have been fully vaccinated, compared with just 11% of people in low-income countries. Can South Africa's experience with tackling HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 point to future solutions for other low- and middle-income countries? How has intellectual property rights affected development of vaccines across Africa? In this episode, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with the following guests:Fatima Hassan - Human rights lawyer, activist and founder of the Health Justice Initiative Judit Rius Sanjuan - Policy Specialist, Health Technologies, Innovation and Access, UNDPPetro Terblanche - Managing Director, Afrigen Biologics Related documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website at https://tdr.who.int/tdr/global-health-matters-podcast/championing-health-equity-in-south-africa We are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.

Throughout the first season of Global Health Matters, we've covered a range of topics including research during the COVID-19 pandemic, tackling racism within global health, science communication and implementation research. For this bonus episode, host Garry Aslanyan sat down with two of our listeners who shared their reflections on various episodes from Season 1: Teresa Soop, Senior Research Advisor, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)Mohammad Al Safadi, Senior Health Officer, Global Polio Eradication Initiative Related documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website at https://tdr.who.int/global-health-matters-podcast/season-1-bonus-episode We are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.

What are the colonial legacies in global health? And what impact have they had on how some health and health research programmes are run in Africa? In this episode, we speak to two visionary women leaders who tell us what's wrong in global health and give concrete steps toward more equitable and inclusive partnerships. Host Garry Aslanyan speaks with the following guests:Catherine Kyobutungi, Executive Director of the African Population and Health Research Center in KenyaAgnes Binagwaho, Vice Chancellor of the University of Global Health Equity in RwandaRelated documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website at https://tdr.who.int/global-health-matters-podcast/actions-for-decolonizing-global-healthWe are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.

Increasingly, digital technologies are transforming the delivery of health services and the functioning of health systems. Many of these technologies have also presented new ways of doing research and informed rapid decision-making. In this episode, we hear how UNICEF worked with Jamaica to rapidly deploy an electronic registry solution for the COVID-19 vaccine. We also learn that the Philippine government created a huge opportunity for research by allowing open access to data from COVID-19 tests.Host Garry Aslanyan speaks with the following guests: Alvin Marcelo: Executive Director of Asia eHealth Information Network andChief Medical Information Officer of St. Luke's Medical Center in the PhilippinesKarin Källander: Senior Health Adviser and Chief of the Digital Health & Information Systems Unit, UNICEFRelated documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website at https://tdr.who.int/global-health-matters-podcast/navigating-digital-health-wavesWe are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.

The World Health Organization recently made the historic recommendation to widely use the first ever malaria vaccine, RTS,S. This recommendation was based on evidence generated from a pilot vaccine implementation programme in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi that has reached more than 800 000 children since 2019. This is an excellent example of how evidence based on implementation research tells us whether health interventions, such as vaccines, will be effective in real life, after clinical trials show its efficacy and safety. In this episode, Margaret Gyapong of the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ghana shares her first-hand experiences and learnings from the malaria vaccine pilot. Lee Hampton of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, also tells us how implementation research has played a key role in the success of health programmes for diseases such as yellow fever, typhoid and more.Host Garry Aslanyan speaks with the following guests:Margaret Gyapong: Director, Institute for Health Research at the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana Lee Hampton: Vaccine preventable disease surveillance and vaccine safety focal point atGavi, the Vaccine Alliance, SwitzerlandRelated documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website at https://tdr.who.int/global-health-matters-podcast/discoveries-from-vaccine-implementationWe are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.The CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO Creative Commons license allows users to freely copy, reproduce, reprint, distribute, translate and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, provided TDR is acknowledged as the source and adapted material is issued under the same licensing terms using the following suggested citation: Global Health Matters. Geneva: TDR; 2021. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

This episode features three renowned communicators of science who work to inform, educate and inspire the public about health issues. Microbiologist Natalia Pasternak has become one of the leading communicators of science in Brazil and internationally. As founder of Instituto Questão de Ciência, she offers advice on how others can set up science communication institutes in their countries.  Imogen Foulkes reflects upon how scientists can better communicate their research to the public, given her experience as a journalist with the BBC News and SWI swissinfo.ch based in Geneva. And Sonia Lowman of International Medical Corps highlights the power of film to connect audiences to global health issues and create a vision for the way forward.Host Garry Aslanyan speaks with the following guests:Natalia Pasternak – Founder, Instituto Questão de Ciência in BrazilImogen Foulkes - Geneva correspondent, BBC News and SWI swissinfo.chSonia Lowman -  Filmmaker and Senior Communications Specialist, International Medial CorpsRelated documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website at https://tdr.who.int/global-health-matters-podcast/communicating-science-not-fiction.We are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates.Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. The CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO creative commons licence allows users to freely copy, reproduce, reprint, distribute, translate and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, provided TDR is acknowledged as the source and adapted material is issued under the same licensing terms using the following suggested citation: Global Health Matters. Geneva: TDR; 2021. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. 

Strong research ecosystems require strong research leaders. In this episode, we hear from Karlee Silver who speaks about how Grand Challenges Canada has supported the discovery and research of new solutions to health and other challenges. Tembeka Mpako-Ntusi of Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa says research management at universities should address not only current challenges but also those lurking on the horizon.Host Garry Aslanyan is joined by the following guests:Karlee Silver Co-CEO, Grand Challenges CanadaTembeka Mpako-NtusiFormer Director of Research, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa Related documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website at https://tdr.who.int/global-health-matters-podcast/reimagining-research-leadership. We are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates. Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. The CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO creative commons licence allows users to freely copy, reproduce, reprint, distribute, translate and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, provided TDR is acknowledged as the source and adapted material is issued under the same licensing terms using the following suggested citation: Global Health Matters. Geneva: TDR; 2021. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

From a global challenge to the Maasai steppe of TanzaniaMost climate change predictions show an upward trend in temperature for at least the next nine decades. Rural communities whose health and livelihoods depend on the environment are more vulnerable to climate change. In recent years, persistent droughts have made Maasai communities in northern Tanzania vulnerable to sleeping sickness, a disease spread by the tsetse fly. Paul Gwakisa of Sokoine University has dedicated his research to helping the Maasai people better understand and prevent outbreaks of sleeping sickness in their communities. Pierre Quiblier of the UN Environment Programme also speaks about global efforts to better tackle climate change through an integrated “One Health” approach that brings together sectors such as agriculture, health and the environment.Host Garry Aslanyan is joined by the following guests:Paul Gwakisa,Professor of Immunology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, TanzaniaPierre QuiblierProgramme Officer, Chemicals and Health Branch, United Nations Environment ProgrammeRelated documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website at https://tdr.who.int/global-health-matters-podcast/climate-change-s-impact-on-health.We are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates. Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.The CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO creative commons licence allows users to freely copy, reproduce, reprint, distribute, translate and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, provided TDR is acknowledged as the source and adapted material is issued under the same licensing terms using the following suggested citation: Global Health Matters. Geneva: TDR; 2021. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

Mamás del Río is a social innovation focused on improving maternal and newborn health in rural regions of the Amazon in Peru and Colombia. This episode explores how communities, citizen-led organizations and researchers are driving social innovations such as Mamás del Rio to improve health service delivery and strengthen health systems.Host Garry Aslanyan is joined by the following guests:Magaly BlasDirector, Mamás del Río (Mothers of the River)Luis Gabriel Cuervo Senior Advisor, Pan American Health OrganizationRelated documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website at https://tdr.who.int/global-health-matters-podcast/mothers-of-the-amazon-river-a-social-innovation-for-health. We are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates. Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.The CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO creative commons licence allows users to freely copy, reproduce, reprint, distribute, translate and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, provided TDR is acknowledged as the source and adapted material is issued under the same licensing terms using the following suggested citation: Global Health Matters. Geneva: TDR; 2021. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

Sharing experiences and perspectives on how Tanzania and South Africa's research communities have tackled the pandemic Africa has not seen the same scale of devastation from COVID-19 seen in other regions. Join host Garry Aslanyan as he and his guests explore some of the reasons why African countries have been able to deal with the pandemic so effectively. These include a prior experience in dealing with epidemics such as Ebola, strong sub-regional research networks and long-standing investments in research capacity.This episode features:Paul KazyobaDirector of Research, Tanzania National Institute for Medical ResearchThabi Maitin Division Manager, South African Medical Research CouncilRelated documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website at https://tdr.who.int/global-health-matters-podcast/covid-19-in-africa-the-role-of-research. We are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates. Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.The CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO creative commons licence allows users to freely copy, reproduce, reprint, distribute, translate and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, provided TDR is acknowledged as the source and adapted material is issued under the same licensing terms using the following suggested citation: Global Health Matters. Geneva: TDR; 2021. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

In science, globally, women account for only about 30% of researchers, according to UNESCO, and evidence shows that their participation is even lower at leadership and decision-making levels. Why is that, and what is being done to better support women's careers in science?Join Dr Garry Aslanyan and his expert panel of guests as they share their inspiring journeys as women leaders in global health. They also discuss the root causes of gender inequality in science and some strategies they have developed to address them.This episode features:Rose Leke, Founder of HIGHER Women Consortium CameroonRoopa Dhatt, Executive Director of Women in Global HealthSoumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist at the World Health OrganizationRelated documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website at https://tdr.who.int/global-health-matters-podcast/women-in-science. We are keen to engage with you, our listeners, at every step of the way – please feel free to suggest topics and questions to be discussed and share your feedback by dropping us a line at TDRpod@who.int.Follow @TDRnews on Twitter, TDR on LinkedIn and @ghm_podcast on Instagram for updates. Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.The CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO creative commons licence allows users to freely copy, reproduce, reprint, distribute, translate and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, provided TDR is acknowledged as the source and adapted material is issued under the same licensing terms using the following suggested citation: Global Health Matters. Geneva: TDR; 2021. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.