Further reflections

Interconnectedness through common humanity was the single overwhelming vision resonating throughout the recent UN DPI/NGO conference in Melbourne. Although initially omitted, the reworking of the conference communiqué to be founded on a human rights-based approach allowed the crucial and timely reassertion of a basic tenant of human rights which underlies development work: one person’s right is another’s reciprocal obligation.  It is a belief in both the logic and the morality of this social contract that first propelled me towards the field of global health, along with the realisation that, in an increasingly globalised world, delineating healthcare provision along national borders is not only unjust but ultimately counter-productive. As Ruth Bamela Engo – founder and President of African Action on AIDS - powerfully asserted during the conference:  “I am not human if you are not.”


Of course, despite the elegant simplicity of this statement, actually fulfilling our obligations and achieving the Millennium Development Goals remains a challenge of almost inconceivable complexity. Yet a number of recurrent themes throughout the conference indicated the process by which this achievement might occur. In particular, emphasis was placed on the importance of partnerships between NGOs and governments, but also with the private sector. Innovative mechanisms for funding development were also highlighted as a playing a fundamental role in the achievement of the MDGs. For example, GAVI (the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) aims to change the markets for vaccines, by buying in bulk (thus pushing down prices) and guaranteeing demand for the product (thus encouraging pharmaceutical companies to spend more money on R+D and less on marketing). This creative solution is ultimately moulding the vaccine market to deliver a better (and cheaper) deal for the world’s most neglected populations. This is done without compromising the Alma Ata agenda, since GAVI also directs money into strengthening health systems to facilitate efficient delivery of its programs and to promote sustainable primary healthcare as the ultimate solution to “health for all”.


Certainly, there were moments of frustration and disillusionment throughout the 3-day meeting. I shared the frustration – elegantly articulated by a previous author - about the tendency for some groups at the conference to push individual agendas. I also felt frustrated by the constant barrage of sweeping statements quoting intolerable statistics imploring us to take action: the audience is a group of NGO representatives, who, broadly speaking, are the very ones who are taking action – they instead want to know how to take better action, and to be listened to. Nonetheless, the conference was an overwhelmingly positive experience. Meeting other young delegates and being exposed to their restless passion and sometimes palpable anger regarding global health issues was infectious. Similarly, listening to stories of survival from women like Lucy Chesire from Kenya was both agonising and inspiring. Lucy’s HIV positive status meant she suffered unbelievable discrimination in her workplace, expulsion from her family, and disseminated TB infection due to lack of access to diagnosis and treatment facilities. She now works with the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria, tracking donated monies and keeping service providers accountable. It was meeting these amazing people and hearing their stories that served as the ultimate reminder of why it is essential that we continue to act: so as to enable the world’s poorest to act for themselves.


Ultimately, then, this conference served as a call to action. Dr Aleida Guevara impressed upon us: “Don’t say what needs to be done, do what needs to be done.” So, what can we, as (relatively) poor and disempowered students, actually do?

• Advocate – get involved with campaigns, educate yourself and your peers about the issues, lobby government, volunteer, fundraise, and sign the petition to replenish the Global Fund (http://theoaktree.org/initiatives/campaigns/active-campaigns/global-fund/)
• Educate – educate your medical faculty about the need for global health teaching to be integrated into all medical school curricula – “doctors need to be taught to be health activists, not just body technicians” (Dr Claudio Schuftan)
• Inspire – join your global health group or a forum such as http://www.globalhealthgateway.org.au/ to share your experiences and skills with others, and finally
• Make it your business – “Do not underestimate what you can do, and do not leave it up to governments...Poverty is everyone’s business.” (Mick Gooda, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner)

Do not neglect your humanity.