In this episode, our guests, Sipho Dlamini, Esmita Charani, Everisto Benyera, and Kwesi Amoak, discuss their research projects on decolonizing global health. They explore topics such as the definition of global health, indigenous knowledge practices, mentorship in global health partnerships, and cross-pollination between Universities and local communities in Africa. Our guests highlight the need to challenge the Western-centric approach to global health and to recognize and value indigenous knowledge and practices. They also emphasize the importance of collaboration, equity, and inclusivity in global health research and practice. We discuss the need to expand the definition of knowledge and include diverse perspectives, and highlight the importance of qualitative research in generating contextual knowledge and the need for epistemic humility. The role of Africans in addressing these issues is emphasized, including the need for agency, collaboration, and perseverance.

Cited:
Mentorship as an overlooked dimension of research capacity strengthening: how to embed value-driven practices in global health


The studies discussed were funded by the Decolonization and Global Health Research Exchange Network, a multidisciplinary network of academics, practitioners, and activists with a shared interest in unpacking and analysing decolonisation debates in global health.

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Guest: Dr. Nicholas Okumu, Orthopedic Oncology Specialist and CEO of Stratos Medical

Key Points:

1. Kenya faces a shortage of healthcare workers, with around 4,000 trained physicians, dentists, and pharmacists currently unemployed.
2. Recurring strikes by healthcare workers are common, often related to compensation disputes and lack of implementation of collective bargaining agreements.
3. Poor remuneration and lack of opportunities have led to brain drain, with many Kenyan healthcare workers seeking employment abroad.
4. Public perception often lacks empathy for healthcare workers' demands, viewing them as privileged individuals.
5. Potential solutions discussed include pay-for-performance models, public-private partnerships, and incorporating entrepreneurship and management training into medical education.
6. Dr. Okumu's venture, Stratos Medical, focuses on medical imaging, teleradiology, and developing a platform for accessing electronic health records.
7. The ongoing strike has limited healthcare services to emergency care, causing disruptions and delays in crucial treatments.
8. Dr. Okumu emphasizes the importance of advocacy, collaboration across disciplines, and interdisciplinary approaches to address systemic issues in healthcare.

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Nandita Venkatesan, a Tuberculosis (TB) survivor and advocate, shares her journey of becoming a TB survivor and the challenges she faced in diagnosing, treating, and recovering from the disease. She discusses the stigma and misconceptions associated with TB and the need for greater awareness and understanding. Nandita also highlights her involvement in a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson to improve access to TB treatment. The outcome of the lawsuit resulted in reduced prices for TB medications, demonstrating the power of advocacy efforts. She emphasizes the importance of improving access to shorter regimens, developing a new TB vaccine, and empowering patients with knowledge and information.

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