A Glimpse into the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

A Glimpse into the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

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Reflections following the United Nations General Assembly. Health is an investment, not an expense. The 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78) focused on "Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all." UNGA78 brought world leaders to New York City, USA in September 2023 to discuss pressing global health challenges. The event featured three high-level meetings on health, addressing: Pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response; Tuberculosis; and, Universal health coverage (UHC). Members of the Duke Global Health Innovation Center (Duke GHIC) and Innovations in Healthcare (IiH) were honored to attend and participate in several side events. This blog explores highlights from the various sessions our team participated in. Leading with Purpose…
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Zambia’s COVID-19 Case Manager Leads Country’s Successful Test-and-Treat Roll Out

Zambia’s COVID-19 Case Manager Leads Country’s Successful Test-and-Treat Roll Out

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October 11, 2023 By Nellie Bristol Zambia was facing a 5th COVID-19 wave in December 2022, when it gained a new tool to fight the disease: its first ever shipments of oral antivirals. Infectious disease physician Nyuma Mbewe, fresh from completing her medical residency and elevated to National COVID-19 Case Management Specialist within the Zambia Ministry of Health, was charged with ensuring the life-saving drugs reached those in need. With the help of colleagues, including critical support from Zambia’s Director of Infectious Diseases Lloyd Mulenga, she and her team quickly created the distribution and tracking systems, training materials, and public communications required. Aided by Mbewe’s leadership, Zambia made nirmatrelvir/ritonavir available within days of its arrival and administered more than 400 courses over a two-month period. The quick action provided protection…
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