Global Futures – Global Health strategy launch

The University’s Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH) has launched a new Global Health strategy that aims to transform health outcomes, with a focus on levelling up healthcare provision and uplifting health systems globally.

The strategy has been developed in direct response to the two predictions made by the World Health Organisation regarding the future of global health. Firstly, non-communicable diseases are becoming an issue of equity in that they disproportionately affect low- and lower-middle-income countries. In all countries the poorest and most vulnerable are the most at risk and the least likely to have access to treatment. Secondly, there will be a shortfall of 14.5 million health workers globally by 2030. 42% of that deficit will be in Africa and a further 30% in South East Asia.

Prof Graham Lord, Vice-President and Dean of FBMH, was joined at the launch by Professor Nalin Thacker, Vice-President for Social Responsibility, and a number of academics working on teaching and research programmes in different regions to outline their ambitious plans.

Alongside more recently established projects to drive change in healthcare equity, the event also shone a light on its partnership with Kenya as an exemplar of where international collaborations can make a real difference, not only to communities but nationally. This successful partnership, which began in 2019, has spanned work across the entire cancer pathway. It is improving cancer survival by increasing understanding of African specific cancers, improving their detection and treatment, uplifting treatment provision across other cancer types and helping to develop a high quality and resilient workforce who will be equipped to meet the demands of an increasing cancer burden.

The event was attended by Manoah Esipisu, Kenyan High Commissioner, who spoke of his commitment to this ongoing partnership and his support for the other projects that will arise as the strategy is rolled out.

His Excellency Manoah said: “I want to thank the University of Manchester for coming to the table when Kenya needed a partner. For them to collaborate with us in finding a path that helps us navigate one of the most critical areas of our health deficit is amazing and I look forward to continuing working with you to drive change in our country.”

Concluding the event Prof Graham Lord said: “Our good friend Manoah has shown us the importance of these two questions through our visits to Kenya. We have seen the increasing burden that cancer and other non-communicable diseases are having, and desperate need for a resilient and flexible multi-professional healthcare workforce. Through Manoah’s gentle and discreet guidance, we have met with Presidents Kenyatta and Ruto and connected with many Kenyan Institutions, including the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education. Through these interactions, we have seen the importance of developing research led by our Kenyan colleagues to understand non-communicable diseases in Kenyan populations in an East African environment, and centres of excellence in healthcare education and training in Kenya that will train healthcare workers where they are so desperately needed. Manoah has challenged us to lead this work through the Kenya UK Healthcare Alliance. We have chosen to accept this challenge as we enter our third century both in Kenya and elsewhere across the globe”.