The 3rd Annual Healthcare Forum, held at Rhodes House on 4-5 November, saw an intense discussion on how to solve global health inequities with a focus on the particular challenges in low resource settings. This is part of annual calendar of convenings which has included Climate change, LGBTQ and a Venture Forum this past year.
The objectives of the Healthcare Forum were to draw attention to the growing divide in healthcare, access and technology, and what can be done in making strides towards achieving a greater impact on global health.
All delegates in Milner Hall
Members of the Rhodes community, its friends, and other Fellowships with a shared interest in health came together to look at the pressing issues in health equity. There was a plethora of meaningful dialogue, discussion and debate throughout the weekend.
Saturday’s programme saw welcome speeches from Sir John Bell (Trustee, Regius Professor of Medicine, University of Oxford) and Dr Tariro Makadzange (Trustee and Associate Director of Clinical Research, Gilead). We were delighted to welcome Dr Trevor Mundel (President, Global Health Division, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) and Dr Pavan Cheruvu (Chief People Office, Roivant Sciences) who shared insights on the future of global health and how decentralisation of pharmaceutical research and development would improve health inequities.
Sir John Bell
Panel Discussion
The panels discussed how local and global initiatives can reduce health inequities with general consensus that both were required to initiate and deliver change. The day also saw current Scholars showcasing their wonderful research projects in a Ted style talk in Milner Hall. Ira Magaziner (Vice Chairman and CEO, Clinton Health Access Initiative) closed the evening in a fireside chat about his career and vision for global health.
Sunday closed with a keynote from Nermeen Varawalla (Senior Vice President and Head of Clinical Development BTG International) and panel discussions how to make the most of high tech and low resource and Mental Health.
Thank you to everyone who took part in this Healthcare Forum and a special thanks to Roivant Sciences for sponsoring the conference. Below is a Storify summary of the discussion and topics as reported through the social media channels of the Rhodes Trust. Do join the conversation #RhodesHealth17. And, videos of the sessions will be coming soon to the Rhodes Trust YouTube Channel.