Senior Leaders Dedicated to Disability

Nikole H. Allen, Program Manager

Photo Credit: Philip Morgan

This August, GHLI launched a Senior Leadership Program in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

During the opening session, delegates introduced themselves and shared why they work with disabled persons or in rehabilitation services.  Delegates from Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Zambia, represent ministries, non-profits, health care facilities, disabled persons organizations, and individuals with disabilities. It became quickly apparent that, for many of these senior leaders, their work is much more than just a job. Two participants’ introductions exemplified this, Sister Margret Mweshi and Vincent Kaduma.

Sister Margret is a senior lecturer at the University of Zambia, but was attending the program representing the Zambian Italian Orthopaedic Hospital, run by the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi. She explained, “My work is at the University, but I am at the hospital to do the Lord’s work.” She described her initial experience with disabled children, which led to her call to become a Catholic Sister, and continues to motivate her everyday.

Vincent works with the ICRC Special Fund for the Disabled and is a polio survivor. He was happy to share his outlook on disability: “The way I see it, we are all disabled. If we aren’t disabled on the outside then we may be disabled on the inside. And if you don’t agree with that, than maybe you will agree that if we aren’t disabled, we are all on our way to becoming disabled, and that is why I do this.”

With such a passionate group of delegates we look forward to updates on their work. Over the next nine-months, these teams will each address a problem they have identified in their own country that is preventing persons with disabilities full participation in society.

Um Sonho Brasileiro (A Brazilian Dream)

Mary Weng, 2013 GHLI Fellow

Back in New Haven after nine weeks in Brazil, I realize how lucky I was  to participate in an internship that offered me the chance to help  with improving early child development (ECD).  To be involved with ECD outcomes in São Paulo city at many different levels – working with  state and municipal government leaders, university researchers, advocates, and community health workers, was truly a unique experience.

As my plane took off and I watched the beautiful Brazilian nightscape disappear into the clouds, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by how my work this summer was just the first drop in the ocean of this long-term project. I am proud of the progress that has been made so far. Even in my last week, my schedule was full of site visits to various neighborhoods to assess ECD needs and the feasibility of starting a pilot intervention.  And, soon after my departure, the city of São Paulo launched a Municipal Policy for Early Child Development, defining principles and guidelines for actions related to ECD. It is very encouraging to see a commitment from the government in putting early childhood as a priority. However, the true challenge will be in how the mayor goes about carrying out his new policy, and my hope is that he will seek input from people working on the ground in the various neighborhoods.

This experience has been formative in solidifying my interest in global health. I learned just how challenging and rewarding it is to map the landscape of an issue, and to facilitate collaboration between professionals from many different sectors. I came back to New Haven equipped with my most valuable souvenir: the notebook full of my scribbles from everything I witnessed this summer, each page a glimpse into my beautiful Brazilian dream.

A Heartfelt Goodbye to Trinbago (Trinidad + Tobago)

Monica Jordan, 2013 GHLI Fellow

I left Trinidad and Tobago with a stomach full of West Indian delicacies and a passion to continue working in the global landscape fighting the growing burden of chronic disease.

During my time in the Eastern Caribbean I assisted the delegation in implementing their health information systems strategy. Given the growing burden of chronic disease in the region, the delegation wanted an electronic medical records system to better capture data on the burden of chronic disease, along with relevant risk factors. I worked with Ministry of Health staff to discuss scale-up for usage and the possibilities of useful reports the software can generate.

During my final week in country, I traveled to the SouthWest province where the pilot electronic medical records system will be implemented. The software chosen for the project is currently being used in a limited manner in a clinic in Siparia. I visited this clinic with delegates to view first-hand the limitations and successes of data collection in health clinics. It was a fantastic learning opportunity to meet with staff and learn about cultural barriers to implementation.

Any Trini will tell you that the best street food comes from a small town called Débé in the SouthWest province. I stopped there after the clinic and my taste buds marveled at the doubles (fried bread with curried chick peas), aloo pies (Trinidad samosa) and saheena (fried spinach goodness). The food is inspired by India, but distinctly Trinidadian. Ordering it with “plenty pepper” is certainly not for the weak of heart. 

Returning to New Haven, my life in Trinidad seems a bit of a blur. What I remember most saliently is the excitement I felt at turning a problem, with a complex solution involving many players and cultural barriers, into a reality. There is no doubt this formative experience will shape the second year of my MPH program and inspire my career in global health.

Mah Krow, Ghana! (Farewell, Ghana!)

Perri Kasen, 2013 GHLI Fellow

Now that I’ve settled back into a routine in New Haven, it almost feels like my summer in Ghana was a dream. The hustle and bustle of the tro-tro stations, the smell of banku and tilapia wafting into my apartment, the infectious music that forces you to move, and the sense that all of humanity is one large family – I miss it all immensely.

With the recent conclusion of the ongoing election trial in the Supreme Court, real progress can be made on implementing the 2012 Mental Health Act in its entirety. With President John Dramani Mahama no longer preoccupied by the court proceedings, he can resume his political work – including establishing a Mental Health Authority and Mental Health Fund to support this Act.  Further, the 2013 cohort of Psych Corps has been orientated and deployed across the country to perform community mental health work.

On a personal level, this summer solidified my desire to work in health systems strengthening within developing countries, yet also showed me how frustrating and difficult this type of work can prove to be. I experienced firsthand how stigma, insufficient funding, lackluster political will, and a lack of awareness of an issue can hinder success in implementing grand strategies in global health. Overcoming such complex hurdles requires true cooperation and continued collaboration for effective and sustainable change to occur. Despite the many obstacles the Ghanaian delegation continues to face in ramping up access to quality mental healthcare, I am hopeful that those championing the cause can muster enough political support to see true improvement. I am so grateful for this experience and am positive that the lessons I learned and people I met during my Ghanaian summer will stay with me as I embark on a career as a global health practitioner.

My Final Weeks in Uganda

Hilary Rogers, 2013 GHLI Fellow

After finishing the final version of the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) needs assessment tool, I joined the Ministry of Health on a road trip across the eastern and northern parts of Uganda to visit five regional referral hospitals (RRHs). We also stopped at several district hospitals (level below RRHs) and small clinics. I helped in the data collection, which included determining the demand and availability of NCDs drugs, equipment, and personnel. I also conducted interviews with staff that work with NCDs patients. These interviews brought more qualitative richness to the otherwise quantitative data, and their personal stories will allow a better understanding of the issues the health units face. I hope to use some of this data and the interviews for my MPH thesis.

I was really struck by the passion and determination of the physicians and nurses I met on the road trip. In particular, I was inspired by the diabetes nurses who worked extremely long hours, met with more than 50 patients a day by themselves, dealt with shortages of equipment or medicines, and still managed to keep an organized clinic with patient registrars and education materials. I hope to be as passionate a medical/public health professional in the future!

During my last few weeks, I also worked with the GHLI delegates in the planning of the integrated NCD clinic in Mulago National Referral Hospital. Soon they will have the program manager, clinic staff, and equipment to really start the project implementation. I am so grateful for the interesting projects and amount of responsibility I was given during my internship. I now feel so invested in these issues, and am excited to see the good work that comes out of the GHLI–Uganda partnership. I am also extremely thankful for the warmth and kindness I received in Uganda. I know I will make my way back there someday, not only for the delicious matoke and groundnut sauce, but also for my wonderful mentors and friends!