Accelerating innovation in global health

Devex CheckUp
@ WHA 77

May 28-29, 2024

Geneva & Online everywhere

About the Event

On the occasion of the 77th World Health Assembly, Devex will convene global health leaders for an in-person event in Geneva that will highlight the policy, resources, and partnerships necessary to accelerate progress on global health goals.

Join the journalists behind the global health newsletter Devex CheckUp for two days of insightful conversations and on-stage interviews with the people shaping the future of global health with a focus on:

● Rethinking healthcare delivery
● Adapting health care for a world in flux
● Building resilient health systems
● The future of global health

Hosted by:

Impact Partners:

Ecosystem Partners:

Want to sponsor this event? Reach out via email at [email protected] to partner with us!

May 28

8 a.m.
CEST

Registration

In-person only

Rethinking health care delivery

9-9:05 a.m.
CEST

Opening remarks

Kate Warren

Executive Vice President and Executive Editor, Devex
9:05-9:35 a.m.
CEST

Pandemic treaty: Can the world agree on how to fight the next outbreak?

The global health community faces a stark question: Are we ready for the next pandemic? This session will dissect the challenges of building a unified global response. We'll unpack the ongoing negotiations for a first-ever pandemic treaty, amendments to the IHR updates, and more.

Roland Driece

Director for international affairs, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, the Netherlands

Dr. Fifa Rahman

Principal consultant at Matahari Global Solutions

Dr. Magda Robalo

President and co-founder of The Institute for Global Health and Development

Interviewed by: Jenny Lei Ravelo

Senior Reporter, Devex
9:35-10:05 a.m.
CEST

The power of family caregivers: Building compassionate health systems together

In partnership with Noora Health

This panel will center on the impact of family caregiving and underscore the critical need for caregiver training and support in high quality health care delivery.

Edith Elliott

Co-founder and co-CEO, Noora Health

Dr. Shahed Alam

Co-founder and co-CEO, Noora Health

Hon. Mr. Budi. G. Sadikin, Minister of health, Republic of Indonesia

Minister of health, Republic of Indonesia

Dr. Anshu Banerjee

Director of the maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and ageing department, WHO

Mohammed Mamunur Rashid

Joint secretary, health services division, Ministry of Health, Bangladesh

Dr. Shams Syed

Head, policy and partnerships, WHO Special Programme on Primary Health Care

Dr. Neha Garg

Director of National Health Mission and Mental Health, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare India

Interviewed by: Kate Warren

Executive Vice President and Executive Editor, Devex
10:05-10:35 a.m.
CEST

A new era at Gavi: Ensuring the organization remains fit for purpose

In March, Dr. Sania Nishtar assumed her role as CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance at a critical moment for the organization working on improving access to immunization globally. Nishtar will be joined by other global health experts to discuss her vision for Gavi moving forward, the difficult road ahead, and what changes to expect.

Dr. Sania Nishtar

CEO, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate

Coordinating minister of health and social welfare, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria

Javier Guzman

Director, global health policy program and senior policy fellow, Center for Global Development

Interviewed by: Rumbi Chakamba

Associate Editor, Devex

10:35-10:50 a.m.
CEST

Beyond lifespan, toward healthspan: The future of aging in a changing world

In partnership with Hevolution

Dr. Mehmood Khan

Chief executive officer, Hevolution Foundation

Interviewed by: Alli Blount

Director of Partnerships, Devex

10:50-11:15 a.m.
CEST

Global goals, local gains: How can institutions empower communities?

How can institutions drive impactful change locally within global health frameworks? This session will explore how global health leaders are leveraging resources to meet the needs and realities of communities on the ground.

Dr. Githinji Gitahi

CEO, Amref Health Africa

Petro Terblanche

Chief executive officer, Afrigen Biologics

Dr. Angela Chaudhuri

Chief catalyst, Swasti

Interviewed by: Sara Jerving

Senior Reporter, Devex

11:20-11:45 a.m.
CEST

Innovation in action: Transforming health care delivery at the last mile

In partnership with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. & Blackfrog Technologies

Amit Kumar Rawal

AWARE Europe business development, Qualcomm

Mayur U Shetty

Chief executive officer, Blackfrog Technologies Private Limited

Interviewed by: Kate Warren

Executive Vice President and Executive Editor, Devex
11:45-12:05 a.m.
CEST

Networking break

Adapting health care for a world in flux

12:10-12:35 p.m.
CEST

From the margins to mainstream: Ending the neglect of NTDs

Millions suffer, yet NTDs remain largely unseen. This panel tackles these overlooked health threats, exploring success stories, closing the knowledge gap, breaking the cycle, and the funding gap.

Dr. Monique Wasunna

DNDi Africa ambassador, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative

Dr. Georges Nko' Ayissi,

National coordinator for the Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Health Cameroon

Thoko Elphick-Pooley

Executive director, Uniting to Combat NTDs

Adam Weiss

Director, the Carter Center's Guinea Worm Eradication Program

Interviewed by: Sara Jerving

Senior Reporter, Devex
12:35-1:00 p.m.
CEST

Accelerating the most important public health intervention of our time: A fossil fuel phaseout

In this session, experts will delve into the intricate relationships between climate change and health, uncovering the myriad ways our changing environment is shaping public health outcomes, and what is being done about it.

Dr. Marina Romanello

Executive director, Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, University College London

Shweta Narayan

International climate and health campaigner, Health Care Without Harm

Dr. Omnia El Omrani

Climate and health policyfellow, Imperial College London, and COP 28 health envoy

Interviewed by: Jenny Lei Ravelo

Senior Reporter, Devex

1:00-1:25 p.m.
CEST

From crisis to control: Winning the fight against antimicrobial resistance

Infections are getting smarter, as our medicines are getting weaker. So what can be done about it? This session will feature how communities from malaria to tuberculosis to maternal health are responding to the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, or AMR.

Caroline Boulton

Global program head, Novartis Pharma AG

Dr. Otto Cars

Professor emeritus, infectious diseases. Founder of ReAct- Action on antibiotic resistance, Uppsala University

Dr. Lucica Ditiu

Executive director, Stop TB Partnership

Jeremy Knox

Head of policy-infectious diseases, Wellcome

Interviewed by: Sara Jerving

Senior Reporter, Devex

1:25-1:30 p.m.
CEST

Closing remarks

Kate Warren

Executive Vice President and Executive Editor, Devex

Catherine Cheney

Senior Editor, Special Coverage, Devex
1:30-2:30 p.m.
CEST

Lunch and networking
2:30-4 p.m.
CEST

Maternity Matters: Unlocking private sector fiscal capacity for health system response

In partnership with MSD for Mothers and the Country Connector on Private Sector in Health

Learn more and register here →

May 29

8-9 a.m.
CEST

Networking breakfast

In partnership with the International Society of Nephrology

Learn more and register here →
9-10 a.m.
CEST

Advancing kidney care for all: Expanding access to lifesaving therapies

In partnership with the International Society of Nephrology

Learn more and register here →
10-11:30 a.m.
CEST

How AI can enhance health service delivery at the last mile

In partnership with Medtronic LABS

Learn more and register here →
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
CEST

Summit registration & lunch

In-person only

Resilient Health Systems

12:30-12:35 p.m.
CEST

Opening remarks

Kate Warren

Executive Vice President and Executive Editor, Devex

Catherine Cheney

Senior Editor, Special Coverage, Devex
12:35-1:05 p.m.
CEST

How NGOs can build deep and longstanding partnerships with ministries of health

This session will explore the opportunities and challenges for collaborative partnerships between NGOs and governments. Government partnerships are essential for improving health outcomes, but what makes them work, and why don't we see them more often?

Prof. Awa Marie Coll-Seck

Chair of the Association Galien Africa, former senior minister to the President of Senegal, former minister of health

Dr. Neil Buddy Shah

Chief executive officer, Clinton Health Access Initiative

Emily Bancroft

CEO and president, VillageReach

Interviewed by: Rumbi Chakamba

Associate Editor, Devex
1:05-1:15 p.m.
CEST

Lessons from Ukraine: Ensuring equitable access to medicines during conflict

In partnership with Management Sciences for Health

Maryina Slobodnichenko

Deputy minister of health of Ukraine for European integration

Marian W. Wentworth

President and chief executive officer, Management Sciences for Health

Interviewed by: Richard Jones

Editorial Director, Devex
1:15-1:30 p.m.
CEST

Africa CDC's 'new deal': A vision for health security and equity

Jean Kaseya, director-general of Africa CDC, will join us to discuss his plans to advance a transformative “new deal” for Africa CDC, with the primary objective of strengthening health security across the continent.

Dr. Jean Kaseya

Director-general, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

Interviewed by: Rumbi Chakamba

Associate Editor, Devex
1:30-2 p.m.
CEST

Building resilience: The future of African public health

African health institutions, in response to the challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have made it an imperative to ensure the continent is never left behind again when global health crises arise. Building on last year's discussion, this session will highlight the strides already made in strengthening public health systems across Africa.

Dr. Ebere Okereke

Chief executive officer, Africa Public Health Foundation

Joy Phumaphi

Executive secretary, African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA)

Cyril Seck

Digital strategy advisor, Africa CDC

Interviewed by: Sara Jerving

Senior Reporter, Devex
2-2:20 p.m.
CEST

Leading the charge: Dr. Hanan Balkhy's plans for health for all in the Eastern Mediterranean

Dr. Hanan Balkhy, the newly appointed WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, will share what strategies she plans to implement over her five-year term. She'll explore the interconnections between global health, climate change, and humanitarian crises, emphasizing the urgent need for resilient health systems and effective health diplomacy.

Dr. Hanan Balkhy

Regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, WHO

Interviewed by: Jenny Lei Ravelo

Senior Reporter, Devex
2:20-2:30 p.m.
CEST

Tech for sight: The future of accessible vision care

In partnership with OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation

Anurag Hans

Head of mission at EssilorLuxottica and president at OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation

Dr. Oteri Okolo

Director/national coordinator of the National Eye Health Programme, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Abuja

Interviewed by: Richard Jones

Editorial Director, Devex
2:30-2:40 p.m.
CEST

A conversation with the Devex CheckUp team

Sara Jerving

Senior Reporter, Devex

Rumbi Chakamba

Associate Editor, Devex

Jenni Lei Ravelo

Senior Reporter, Devex
2:40-2:50 p.m.
CEST

Safeguarding the Future: Ensuring a healthy start for refugee children

In partnership with UN Foundation

Martha Rebour

Executive director of Shot@Life campaign, United Nations Foundation

Dr. Allen Maina

Chief of public health, UNHCR

Interviewed by: Jenni Cardamone

Vice President, Partnerships
2:50-3:15 p.m.
CEST

Networking break

The future of global health

3:20-3:35 p.m.
CEST

Equitable innovation in health and medicine: Dr. Victor Dzau on the impact of science and technology

Dr. Victor Dzau, president of the National Academy of Medicine, will share his vision for a health system that prioritizes prevention, addresses root causes of disease, and leverages innovations in data science and AI for equitable and efficient care.

Dr. Victor Dzau

President, National Academy of Medicine

Interviewed by: Catherine Cheney

Senior Editor, Special Coverage, Devex
3:35-3:45 p.m.
CEST

Leveraging essential diagnostics for health for all

In partnership with HemoCue

Lena Wahlhed

Director for alliance development and regional sales director for Japan, HemoCue AB

Interviewed by: Jessica Jenner

Senior Partnerships Lead, Devex
3:45-4:20 p.m.
CEST

Partnerships for progress: Advancing health equity through innovation

This panel will explore strategies for collaboration among the tech industry, civil society, philanthropy, and governments to enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of health care worldwide.

Nita Madhav

Senior director, head of epidemiology and modeling, Ginkgo Bioworks

Naveen Rao

Senior vice president of health, The Rockefeller Foundation

Vivek Natarajan

Research lead, Google

Interviewed by: Rumbi Chakamba

Associate Editor, Devex
4:20-4:35 p.m.
CEST

From spark to scale: Supporting Africa's booming health innovation landscape

This session will highlight lessons from an effort to support the 60 promising companies leveraging technology to optimize supply chains and address challenges of availability, accessibility, and affordability of health products in Africa.

Oghenetega Iortim

Managing director, Figorr

Mara Hansen Staples

Founder, Salient Advisory

David Chen

Co-CEO, Kapsule

Interviewed by: Catherine Cheney

Senior Editor, Special Coverage, Devex
4:35-5:10 p.m.
CEST

Humanitarian crossroads: Adapting to the new landscape of health crises

In this session, we'll explore how the changing nature of humanitarian crises is impacting health. Panelists will discuss attacks on health systems, the changing climate, and the overall increase in crises amid an environment of decreasing resources.

Dr. Petra Khoury

Director, health and care department, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Dr. Micaela Serafini

Head of health, ICRC

Mukesh Kapila

Professor emeritus, global health and humanitarian affairs, University of Manchester

Alyoscia D'Onofrio

Vice president, head of technical excellence, IRC

Interviewed by: Sara Jerving

Senior Reporter, Devex
5:10-5:28 p.m.
CEST

The healing power of community: Fireside chat with Dr. Dixon Chibanda

Drawing from Dr. Dixon Chibanda's experience bringing together different stakeholders for successful partnerships, this session will highlight the role of grassroots initiatives and creative solutions in bridging the gap in mental health care access and their potential to reshape the global health agenda.

Dr. Dixon Chibanda

Executive director, founder, Friendship Bench

Interviewed by: Catherine Cheney

Senior Editor, Special Coverage, Devex
5:28-5:30 p.m.
CEST

Closing remarks

Kate Warren

Executive Vice President and Executive Editor, Devex

Catherine Cheney

Senior Editor, Special Coverage, Devex
5:30 p.m.
CEST

Cocktail Reception

In-person only
6:30 p.m.
CEST

Event Close