Join live stream - October 26 at 9:00
The Centre for Global Health (CGH) is co-organizing the 2021 Global Health Norway Conference in Trondheim. We invite scientists, clinicians and students working with global health issues in Norway. This also includes students and clinicians from other countries temporarily located in Norway.
Aim
The aim of the conference is to create a scientific and clinical arena for discussion of global health issues. We will improve the standards of this type of work and improve cooperation and networking between persons and institutions who are engaged in these topics.
Although health outcomes have improved in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) over the past decades, there is still a need for optimization of health care in these populations. This conference will shed light on how to improve and maintain good health in populations in LMIC, and how we all can contribute. It is time to cooperate and work differently during the post-pandemic era. This will be a main topic of discussion with Norwegian and international presenters.
Topic 1: Technology and global health
Comprehensive and prevailing health challenges and increasing impact of non-communicable diseases in low-income countries go together with large problems with competence, capacity and quality in existing health services. Maximizing use of current health technologies (drugs, devices, biological products, medical and surgical procedures, support systems, and organizational systems) is essential to improving global health.
The global shortage in health care workers is particularly problematic in poor countries and contributes strongly to impair health services for poor populations. New solutions for organization, communication and practice is needed to ensure access to quality health services for all. Use of existing and development of new and adapted technologies will be part of the solution.
While improving health services is an important part of the solution to health problems in poor countries, it is safe to say that reducing, eliminating or strengthening factors outside of the health sector that cause or prevent health problems promises to have an even greater positive impact.
Sufficient access to clean water, sanitation, generally improved level of living, education, and less exposure to pollution, are examples of areas in need of solutions beyond the borders of health sciences and practice. Technologies in many different areas are thus of high relevance to ensure good health for all.
Topic 2: Education and capacity building of health care personnel
Health specialists, e.g., public health workers, GPs, surgeons, obstetricians, nurses, physiotherapists, medical engineers, bioengineers are central in the education of health professionals in low-income countries. Today, mortality attributed to a lack of access to safe anesthesia, surgery, proper use and systems of medical equipment, obstetrics, etc. is far higher than mortality related to HIV, Malaria and tuberculosis combined. Without the training of key personnel, we will not be able to succeed in improving this situation, which must take place through competence building in home countries.
Research in collaboration with clinical education is a key success factor. We want to lift this discussion to facilitate a good basis, both for funding and access to the best competence for the collaborating countries.