Unite for Sight’s 2010 Global Health & Innovation Conference
Blog Report By Abby Hannifan, Unite For Sight Global Health Leadership Intern
Social Enterprise Pitches - Ideas in Development Session
This session, much like the first Ideas in Development session I attended, consisted of several presentations from individuals trying to grow their young ideas.
Here is a listing of the presentations:
- “A Collaborative Effort to Reach Communities in Rural Kenya,” by PhD student Irene Okech
- “Connecting MDR Patients and Providers: Employing a Cellphone-based Strategy to Improve Patient Care in Rural South Africa,” by MPH student Krisda Chaiyachati
- “MicroShakti: A One-Two Punch in the Fight Against Poverty and Malnutrition,” by MSc student Emily Sanders
- “Citizens Environmental Restoration Bank,” by MPH student Teresa Chahine
- “Human Trafficking Students – Casework,” by Masters of Liberal Arts in Government Candidate Eric Goodwin
- “Cleanin up Cairo,” by MPH student Bilaal Ahmed
- “CORE Synergy: Medical Education Synergized,” by medical student Roopan Gill
All presenters had incredibly interesting insights. And with such prominent, experienced people in the room (one of the former directors of USAID was sitting behind me), the presenters were really able to substantiate their approaches with alternative viewpoints, informed perspectives, and complimentary critique. While I don’t have many comments on the presentations themselves, I must say that not only was I quite impressed with the confidence and conviction the presenters exuded, but also by how simultaneously idealistic and practical these young graduate students were. It was truly inspirational, and a great note on which to end this exceptionally informative and engaging conference.
Related articles:
- Krisda’s presentation on how cell phone distribution to patients with HIV/AIDs in South Africa could help community health workers communicate with and locate patients to ensure antiretroviral adherence is an example of a growing intrigue in globalization’s positive effects on chronic disease management. Read more here. Krisda thinks cell phone monitoring and tracking technology could replace directly observed therapy (DOT), a method of medical compliance endorsed by Dr. Paul Farmer of Partners in Health.
- Emily’s presentation about the Sprinkles Global Health Initiative was interesting in that it bridged a link between income-generation and health access/outcomes. For more insight into the strong connection between economic and health development, check out Microenterprise Development for Better Health Outcomes.
- Roopan’s suggestion of a more concerted effort on behalf of all medical training schools in the West to include classes in cultural competency also brought to the fore another hot button issue: the role of cultural sensitivity in the health sector. Browse this impressively comprehensive page from the US Department of Health and Human Services for more information.