In the lead-up to the UNITE Global Summit 2024, UNITE launched the Summit Spotlight interview series, featuring in-depth conversations with parliamentarians and global health experts. This exclusive series addresses critical topics under the summit’s four core pillars, offering valuable insights into pressing global health issues to encourage active engagement and set the tone for high-level discussions.
Hon. Éctor Jaime Ramírez Barba, on Climate Health
In the first interview ahead of the UNITE Global Summit 2024, Hon. Éctor Jaime Ramírez Barba discusses the significant health challenges faced by migrants, particularly in Mexico.
He highlights the barriers to accessing adequate healthcare and stresses the need for more inclusive migration policies and coordinated efforts to address these urgent issues. Click here to read the full interview.
The situation of Mexican migrants, particularly tthose seeking better opportunities in the United States, is alarming. Many of them face barriers to accessing health services, partly due to their migration status and lack of information about their rights.– Hon. Éctor Jaime Ramírez Barba,
UNITE Member from México
Hon. Amar Patnaik, on Climate Health
In the second interview ahead of the UNITE Global Summit 2024, Hon. Amar Patnaik discusses the health challenges posed by climate change.
Hon. Amar Patnaik highlights the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, the strain on healthcare systems, and the need for climate resilience, international cooperation, and local community involvement to address these growing issues.
Climate change is a humanitarian problem rather than just an environmental issue. Any comprehensive strategy to combat climate change must address health disparities to build a resilient healthcare system that can protect the most vulnerable segments of society.– Hon. Amar Patnaik,
UNITE Chapter Chair for India
Reginald Sekyi-Brown, on the Health Workforce Exodus
In the third interview ahead of the UNITE Global Summit 2024, Reginald Sekyi-Brown addresses the devastating impact of workforce shortages on healthcare systems.
Reginald Sekyi-Brown also the need for stronger collaboration among African governments to create sustainable solutions and retain talent within the continent. Click here to read the full interview.
Europe’s ageing population calls for more careworkers and typically migrant healthcare workers take up these jobs. Beyond Ghana, Africa has a deficit of about 6.1 million health professionals across board, especially within the primary healthcare systems.– Reginald Sakyi-Brown,
Chairperson of the Early Career Pharmaceutical Group
under the auspices of the Pharmaceutical Society, Ghana
Kenza Zerrou, on Health Financing
In the fourth and last interview around the UNITE Global Summit 2024, Kenza Zerrou, Innovative Finance Lead at the World Health Organization (WHO), discusses the global shortfalls in funding for health systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Kenza Zerrou also highlights how Primary Health Care (PHC) serves as the foundation for resilient health systems. Click here to read the full interview.
Developing a strong Primary Health Care (PHC) foundation has been proven to improve overall health outcomes, reduce all-cause mortality, and promote better quality of care. It is estimated that scaling up PHC interventions across LMICs could save 60 million lives and increase average life expectancy by 3.7 years by 2030.– Kenza Zerrou,
Innovative Finance Lead,
World Health Organization (WHO)
