Every Saturday at 12 noon Eastern Standard time, African Views Radio holds regular discussions on health care systems in Africa in a show called African Health Dialogues. The forum is accessible to online audiences live on air and also via podcast. There is also an opportunity for people to call in via phone to participate in the discussions from any part of the world. The first show aired on 30 July 2011 and explored the status of healthcare systems in Africa with respect to the past, present and future. The producers of the programme are inviting participants to call in and join the discussions.
Useful Resources
New radio show on African health care systems: African Health Dialogues
African Views Radio: 2011
New TB and Malaria News Summary Report
GlobalHealthReporting.org helps journalists, researchers, policy makers and NGOs efficiently sort through the latest and most accurate information on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Further details: /newsletter/id/31131
New tools to improve access to healthcare services for Africa’s worst-off
University of Montreal: 2009
What can be done to ensure that the poorest Africans have access to a healthcare system that charges user fees? A team of researchers from the University of Montreal has produced a thorough compilation of all existing knowledge on this subject in four bilingual policy briefs. The briefs present options that have been shown to promote access to care: abolition of user fees for healthcare services, case-by-case exemptions for the worst-off, health equity funds, and health insurance that includes coverage for the poor. The objective of this project was to give leaders a comprehensive overview of actions that have already been undertaken to evaluate what options are best suited to their context. With the assistance of an international NGO (HELP – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe e.V.), consultations were carried out in Burkina Faso to strengthen the relevance of these policy briefs. Starting in November, these four documents will be distributed in Burkina Faso as part of a HELP project that will test a trial of user fees abolition.
New web feature on TB
Management Sciences for Health (MSH) has announced the launch of a new Tuberculosis (TB) section on their website (www.msh.org/). The "Focus On" http://www.msh.org/ Tuberculosis section of the MSH website provides information on their work in TB control related to health systems, medicines, laboratories and TB/HIV.
New Web Site Highlights Reproductive and Child Health Project in West Africa
On the occasion of World Health Day 2005, the Action for West Africa Region Reproductive Health and Child Survival Project (AWARE-RH) launches its new Web site, http://www.aware-rh.org. Echoing the World Health Day 2005 theme of "Make every mother and child count," the Web site supports AWARE-RH's aim to improve reproductive and maternal and child health services across 18 countries in West Africa.
Further details: /newsletter/id/30910
New Web-Based "Commonwealth Forum on Globalization and Health"
Launched in April, the Commonwealth Forum consists of a number of articles and excerpts on various facets of globalization and health, available directly from the Forum's web-site or through links to other URLs. Initial discussion questions are also suggested. Participants are encouraged to suggest new readings for future postings. New materials will be added on a monthly basis.
New website for human rights
Human Rights Tools
A new website for human rights professionals called Human Rights Tools offers four main services: a library of carefully selected and commented resources; key resources for country analysis to rapidly establish the human rights profile of a particular country and to facilitate analysis and follow-up of developments; daily updated human rights headlines; and free newsletter.
New website for knowledge brokering
Research Matters: September 2010
Research Matters has launched a new web resource for knowledge brokers and intermediaries. The forum is a shared space for knowledge brokers and intermediaries, people involved in knowledge translation and peers interested in the role. It is designed as a space where you can: access and share resources on the strategic, practical and technical aspects of knowledge brokering and intermediary work; learn from a global community of peers working involved in knowledge brokering and intermediary work; share experiences on knowledge brokering and intermediary work with others; and obtain advice and peer support on issues and challenges they face. In addition to providing a space for discussions, requesting peer advice and posting knowledge-related blogs, the forum will be hosting regular themed discussions. If you are someone who is interested in knowledge translation and how research evidence can influence decision making, you might be interested in joining the Knowledge Brokers’ Forum at the website address provided.
New website from Marie Stopes International
The re-designed and up-graded website is designed to keep concerned members of the public, international organisations and policy makers up to date on MSI's sexual and reproductive health programmes in 38 countries worldwide, as well as its advocacy and policy activities.
New website on global health diplomacy
GHD.Net: 2010
The Global Health Diplomacy Network (GHD.Net) brings together researchers and practitioners with the common goal of improving capacity for health diplomacy (GHD). GHD.Net defines ‘global health diplomacy’ as the policy-shaping processes through which States, intergovernmental organisations and non-State actors negotiate responses to health challenges or utilise health concepts or mechanisms in policy-shaping and negotiation strategies to achieve other political, economic or social objectives. GHD.Net’s mission is to increase knowledge about GHD, improve training and education for those who engage in GHD, and innovate in the provision of advice into GHD processes. Through its website, publications, and other activities, it aims to put in the public domain up-to-date information on research and training in this field. It will also track and report on current diplomatic negotiations that have direct or indirect impact on health policy and health. It has four functions: to act as a clearinghouse for GHD-related information; to enhance connectivity among network participants; to develop content for research, training and education; and to build capacity, especially in partnership with interested institutions and individuals in low-income countries. GHD.Net will also identify the characteristics of health as a foreign policy and diplomatic issue and provide research, training, and policy-relevant inputs to contribute to improving the protection and promotion of health through foreign policy and diplomatic means. It offers training and regularly calls for submission of research papers.