Global Health Norway Conference 2021

Technology and Education in global health
– the way forward

Date: October 26, 2021
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (CET)
Venue: Knowledge Centre, KA11, Campus Øya, NTNU
Registration: Free - but you need to register.
Deadline for registration: October 20

Streaming: Please follow this link to see the conference.

Target group: We invite scientists, clinicians and students who work with global health issues here in Norway. This includes students and clinicians from other countries who are temporarily located in Norway.

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 co-operation and networking between persons and institutions who are engaged in these topics.

Although health outcomes have improved in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) 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. Maybe it is time for change post-corona pandemic; to co-operate and work differently? This will be a main topic in the discussions at this conference, 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. Maximising use of current health technologies (drugs, devices, biological products, medical and surgical procedures, support systems, and organisational 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 organisation, 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.

Some confirmed speakers:

• Biraj Karmacharya, Kathmandu University, School of Medical Sciences

• Muhammad Zaman, Boston University and NTNU
• Morten Dalsmo, SINTEF Digital
• Carl Bjørkman, Nordic office Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Examples of projects:

• Digital innovation in development of a hearing service for school children in Tanzania - Tone Øderud, Senior Researcher, SINTEF Digital
• Health Information System Program (HISP) – Johan Ivar Sæbø, Associate Professor, UiO
• Pictures - Gabriela Jimenez Diaz , Picterus / PhD-candidate, NTNU

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.

Some confirmed speakers:

• Eric O´Flynn, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Institute of Global Surgery
• Håkon Bolkan, St. Olavs Hospital/NTNU – CapaCare,
• Magnus Tisell, Univ of Gothenburg - Capacity building project in Neurosurgery in Malawi by OUS
• Tore Sørlie, UiT/UNN - Mental health collaboration between North west Russia and UNN
• Rune Haaverstad, Haukeland University Hospital - Cardiac surgery and cardiology in Ethiopia
• Espen Villanger, UiB - Development Learning Lab (DLL)
• Jeanette Magnus, UiO - Global health competencies in Norwegian education of health care personnel

Panel debate: "How to fund Global Health Capacity building projects organized by Health care institutions in Norway?"

Moderated by Jo Skårderud, Klassekampen

Panelists from:

• NOREC by Linda Martinsen, Head of Section Companies and Institutions
• NORAD by Paul Fife, Director Department for Human Development
• Oslo University Hospital, Kristin Schjølberg, Head of department Department of Global Health.

Programme

Programme Conference 2021(PDF)

Bio of speakers and panel debate (PDF)

Global health Day 2021/Women in Global Health Annual conference is organised in Trondheim October 27. You are welcome to join or this conference too. Please look at this website for program and registration. We hope you will enjoy the program and the scientific discussions, and that the knowledge gained and discussed during these days in Trondheim will be of importance in our common aim: to improve health in the world. It is also our hope that new and good relationships will be established between the participants. Co-operation is important, not only for the research and clinical work itself, but also for the removal of borders between persons and nations.

The organising committee

Professor Jon Øyvind Odland, Norwegian University of Sciences and Technology
Adviser and PhD-candidate Turid Austin Wæhler, UiT - The Arctic University
Acting Research Director Arne Henning Eide, SINTEF
Managing Director, Centre for Global Health Ingeborg Haavardsson, University of Oslo
Head of Department Kristin Schjølberg, Oslo University Hospital
Professor Bente E. Moen, University of Bergen
Senior Adviser Elin Yli Dvergsdal, Norwegian University of Sciences and Technology