The Global Health Watch – a bi-annual production that will represent an alternative World Health Report will be launched at next year’s World Health Assembly in May 2005 and at the People’s Health Assembly in June 2005. The report is aimed to provide an alternative perspective on health that places equity, human and social rights; the politics and economics of development; and the centrality of health systems development at the forefront of international health debates. In addition, the report aims to act as a monitor of the performance of global health institutions such as WHO and Global Fund; development and multi-lateral agencies such as the World Bank and WTO; multi-national corporations; and the nations of the G8/OECD.
Jobs and Announcements
Health Informatics conference
6-8 October 2003, Kimberly, South Africa - Abstracts due by 31 May
The South Africa Health Informatics Association, in conjunction with the Computer Society of South Africa, is organising the "Health Informatics: Southern Africa" 2004 conference. This will be held from the 6-8 October 2004 in Kimberley in the Northern Cape Province.
Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN)
The Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) was formed in 2000 as a grouping of individuals and organisations working to promote equity in health in Malawi. This is a national network with central offices (secretariat) in Lilongwe. The Network aims to achieve this goal through networking, research, policy dialogue and advocacy. Key areas of interest by the Network include; essential drug availability in public health facilities, availability of health human resources, national budget formulation, linkages with parliamentary committees and HIV/AIDS.
Further details: /newsletter/id/30372
South Africa: Senior Researcher Posts: Public Health Epidemiology and Health Information Systems
The School of Public Health is a forerunner in the public health areas of health promotion, health equity, health information systems, nutrition, health programme development and human resource development. Two senior researchers are required for a new project, aimed at assisting development of health programmes such as HIV/AIDS and nutrition, at health district level. The senior researchers are expected to assist programme managers to develop information systems for their programmes.
Further details: /newsletter/id/30386
Southern Africa: HIV/AIDS Programme Officer
Open Society Initiative For Southern Africa
(OSISA) is a leading regional foundation, established in 1997 by investor and philanthropist George Soros, to create and sustain the institutions, policies and practices of an open society, where good governance, human rights and justice are respected and upheld. Its programmes broadly focus on Education, Media, Human Rights and Democracy as well as Information Communication Technologies. In addition to undertaking advocacy, and working through multi-level partnerships with others, OSISA oversees US$5 million in grants annually across a region made up of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Further details: /newsletter/id/30375
Academic publishing made more accessible for scientists in developing world
The Open Society Institute (OSI) and Public Library of Science (PLoS) has announced a new grants program to support open access publishing in developing and transition countries. The grants will make it much easier for scientists based in developing and transition countries to submit articles to the premiere peer-reviewed research journals published by PLoS. "Scientists in poorer countries have been virtually excluded from the journal publishing world," said Darius Cuplinskas, director of OSI's Information Program. "Open access journals will remove barriers and make these scientists full members of the international scientific community.
Further details: /newsletter/id/30327
Director Health Systems Research Unit
South African Medical Research Council
The director should be a national leader in health systems research with a strong vision to 'improve the impact of health care on health'. The unit currently focuses on evaluating healthcare interventions; but the mandate could be expanded beyond this scope. Developing methodology and capacity in health systems research are key objectives. The Unit collaborates widely with scientists in South Africa and overseas.
Further details: /newsletter/id/30329
Health Economics & HIV/AIDS Research Division (HEARD)
The Health Economics & HIV/AIDS Research Division (HEARD) is based at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. HEARD conducts research on the socio-economic aspects of public health, especially the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The intent is to inspire health and development strategies that improve the welfare of people in and beyond Africa. HEARD's ethos is to share knowledge and transfer skills. This is accomplished by having a dedicated team of multi-skilled staff and a commitment to training African researchers.
Health Now! No WTO! No War
Press statement
A new global campaign, launched on March 18th, calls for throwing out the occupying forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and dismantling of the World Trade Organisation. “Wars and WTO are the greatest threat to health and peace,” said a spokesperson. “Under the guise of a ‘war on terror’, the United States is trying to enforce global hegemony at a terrifying cost to people’s health,” she said. Wars, military interventions, occupation and militarization devastate public health and also waste precious resources - at the expense of health and other basic services.
Further details: /newsletter/id/30332
HIV/AIDS in the Workplace Research Symposium
29th and 30th June 2004, Wits University, Johannesburg, South Africa
The HIV/AIDS in the Workplace Research Symposium has opened registration for those interested. This symposium will provide an opportunity for researchers in these fields to present and share their work.
Further details: /newsletter/id/30333