South-South Collaborations

[Sandeep Kishore]

Hi all,

This AM, was reflecting on conversations with Marwa (who is a sub-intern on my medical team!) and thinking about South-South collaborations stemming from a convo with Maryam and Dr. Pape years ago leveraging the Cornell network and the genesis of this list-serv. Marwa was relaying her experience in TZ and it seems to me there is even more reason to get us to collaborate on something practical, creative and imaginative over the next year. Perhaps stemming from someone's research project -- but I see linking the sister global health groups in Qat'ar, TZ and Haiti as vital, particularly as the new Dean of Weill Cornell (Laurie Glimcher) is actively demonstrating her interest in the global health platform. The question is, how can we get students and faculty in the various regions working together in the way that Maryam, Marwa and Evance have led? 

See this abstract on initial ideas below, but surely more can/must be done -- perhaps a project on diabetes, cancer or refugee health? Just wanted to re-ignite this, if nothing happens that's fine, but Marwa's passion reminded me of this -- 

A. Kulkarni¹, M. Saleh², E. Mmbando³, C. Bronsther⁴, E. Byrt⁴, E. Emery⁴, S. Kishore⁴; ¹Weill Cornell Medical College, Office of Global Health Education, New York, NY/US, ²Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar, Doha/QA, ³Weill Bugando University College of Health Sciences, Mwanza/TZ, ⁴Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY/US 

A first look: A case study of the equitable benefits to students in partner countries affiliated with Cornell University’s global health program

Background In assessing the value of global health education partnerships between US universities and academic institutions abroad, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, we typically focus on the benefits gained by US students. Meanwhile, there is less understanding of the benefits these programs have on the students in partner countries. Here, we examine the benefits of Cornell University’s partnerships in Qatar and Tanzania, and if they are equitably shared among all students involved.

Methods & Materials We conducted qualitative interviews with student leaders from Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar in Doha, Qatar and Weill Bugando University College of Health Sciences in Mwanza, Tanzania about the recent formation of their respective student-led, global health clubs.

Results Weill Bugando’s student-led Global Health Initiative, in its third year, is comprised of 25 members. Its mission is to revolutionize the healthcare system in Tanzania through global health education and research. Group members developed the country’s first student-led NGO on neglected tropical diseases and held a national conference on uniting medical students to reverse the “brain drain.” Today, they promote teaching the delivery of community health and preventive healthcare, in order to support their local society.  Over the past two years, WCMC-Q has developed a global health club with 20 members. The club’s mission is to increase awareness about global health issues through coursework and community development projects. Recently, students have conducted grant-subsidized tuberculosis research among the local migrant labor force and they hope to institute a global health curriculum at WCMC-Q, which would be the first of its kind in a Middle Eastern medical school. The interviewees said Cornell’s commitment to sustainable healthcare services in their countries influenced them to develop their own global health initiatives. They also cited the value of elective programs at partner sites, which foster collaboration between a diverse range of Cornell students and faculty.

Conclusion The global health clubs in Qatar and Tanzania are one example of the benefits all students can gain through equitable global partnerships. They have provided a geographically broad forum for students committed to global health equity in which they can share resources, knowledge, and enthusiasm between campuses.

--
Sandeep P. Kishore, Ph.D.

Chair, Advisory Council

Young Professionals Chronic Disease Network

Weill Cornell/ The Rockefeller University/ Sloan-Kettering Institute 

Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program

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New York, NY  10065

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