Strengthening Global Health: let’s take action to tackle future health threats

Panel Discussion: Insights from the CoPs

A panel discussion was held with representatives from each of the three CoPs, consisting of: Dr. Martin Heine; Dr. Joyce Browne; Jaume Vidal; Dr. Remko van Leeuwen; Sie-Meng Lee; Kwasi Boahene. They each introduced their work and provided a summary of their discussions, illustrating the progress that has been made and outlining the challenges ahead.

COP 1: Strengthening Health Systems

Kwasi Boahene and Martin Heine led the discussion for the first CoP, which focused on strengthening health systems. He emphasized that health systems worldwide continue to face limitations in financing and resource allocation, but that the collective power of public-private partnerships can overcome these challenges. Over the past year, CoP1 identified four key themes:

1. Resource mapping: Efficient allocation of limited resources, whether financial or expertise-based, to ensure healthcare systems remain functional and responsive;
2. Digital innovation: Leveraging technology and data to improve healthcare delivery. Notably, 57% of people in Africa lack bank accounts but utilize mobile technology—offering opportunities for healthcare systems to adapt to this technological trend;
3. Sustainable financing: Exploring models like performance-based financing and insurance schemes to create sustainable healthcare systems;
4. Narrative influence: Enhancing communication around health system improvements and influencing agendas to prioritize these initiatives at the national and international levels.

Kwasi noted that the focus on global health has shifted from being seen as an "Africa or Asia" issue to being recognized as international health: a crucial development in framing global health as an interconnected concern.

COP 2: Pandemic Preparedness and Cross-Border Health Threats

Jaume Vidal and Remko van Leeuwen led the discussion on pandemic preparedness, emphasizing the positive energy within the group and the importance of international collaboration, especially with the Global South. He acknowledged the increased presence of the Global South in discussions but pointed out that more needs to be done to strengthen these relationships.

Key issues discussed by CoP2 included:

1. Ministry interactions: Working closely with the Dutch ministries to offer advice and establish working agendas that respond to emerging health threats;
2. Private sector engagement: Recognizing the critical role the private sector can play in pandemic preparedness. The discussion revealed some challenges in fully involving the private sector but also opened avenues for future engagement;
3. International collaboration: Building stronger ties with other European countries and stakeholders in the Global South to develop more inclusive and globally relevant pandemic preparedness strategies.

They also emphasized the need for more frequent meetings and secretarial support to ensure smoother collaboration between stakeholders.

COP 3: Climate Change and Public Health

The third CoP, led by Joyce Browne and Sie-Meng Lee, focused on the intersection of climate change and public health. This group discussed three major themes:

1. Sustainable healthcare systems: Making healthcare more sustainable by reducing its environmental footprint and learning from global initiatives like the “Groene Zorg Alliantie”;
2. Climate-resilient healthcare systems: Preparing healthcare systems to withstand the impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable regions. Knowledge sharing, advocacy, and policy development were key actions discussed;
3. Climate justice: They emphasized that climate justice must be a foundational value in global health work. CoP3 is working to translate this abstract concept into practical actions, ensuring that healthcare improvements benefit those most affected by climate change. The group also seeks to foster collaboration between the climate and SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) CoPs to create synergies between these issues.

Keynote discussion: Global Health Challenges in the context of pandemics and climate change

The event also featured an interactive panel discussion focusing on real-world health threats like M-pox (formerly Monkeypox) and the Marburg virus, illustrating how global health issues are not hypothetical but part of daily reality.

Participants reflected on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in terms of access to healthcare and innovations. One example was the success of a twice-a-year injectable PrEP regimen that provides near 100% protection against HIV infection, showing the potential for groundbreaking healthcare innovations to transform disease management.

However, panelists also highlighted the challenges of implementing such innovations in low-income countries. Even when solutions exist, the high cost and lack of access to essential medications in many regions prevent equitable healthcare outcomes.

In discussing M-pox, the group recognized that the global response had failed to prioritize the disease until it became a serious threat to Western countries. This underlined the broader systemic issue of inequity in global health, with neglected diseases often receiving insufficient attention until they pose a threat to higher-income countries. Participants also reflected on the role of the private sector and governments in ensuring that life-saving innovations are both affordable and accessible.

Future outlook: expanding the role of the Global Health Hub

As the panelists concluded their discussions, it became clear that the Global Health Hub has potential to drive meaningful change. While the CoPs are making significant progress in their respective areas, there is much more to be done to turn strategy into impactful action. The Hub's future work will involve more collaboration with international partners and a greater focus on creating sustainable, equitable health systems.