#InTheEyesOfMC: The Struggling Creative (Global Health Diplomacy Edition)

Disclaimer 1: The rumblings expressed in this article are my own.

Disclaimer 2: Read the entire series to make sense of the flow of the commentaries

Disclaimer 3: Today's piece was largely generated by co-pilot given the emotional nature of the stories I will share

Disclaimer 3: This piece may be triggering to some of you. Reader discretion is advised

What is Global Health Diplomacy, Co-Pilot?

Global health diplomacy is an interdisciplinary field that bridges global public health, international relations, and multisectoral public policy. Its goal is to achieve better global health outcomes through international cooperation and negotiation12.

Key aspects of global health diplomacy include:

• Negotiation and Collaboration: Engaging with multilateral organizations, foreign governments, and various stakeholders to address global health challenges1.
• Policy Development: Creating and promoting policies that improve health outcomes on a global scale3.
• Health Security: Strengthening global health security to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious diseases4.
• Bilateral and Multilateral Engagement: Working with countries and international bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO) to align health goals and strategies1.

This field is crucial for addressing global health issues such as pandemics, noncommunicable diseases, and health inequities. It leverages the shared goal of a healthier, safer world to foster diplomatic relations and advance public health initiatives15.

Is there a specific aspect of global health diplomacy you’re interested in learning more about?

Who bewitched the Democratic Republic of Congo?

With the cancellation of the fourth Africa CDC International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) #CPHIA2024 a few days ago, global health experts were perplexed (and still are perplexed) on why the regional convening was cancelled and not the upcoming United Nations General Assembly taking place this month and the answer was simply global health diplomacy. However, many times these decisions usually appear like racism and as such if it talks like a duck and walks like a duck then it is a duck until the time an ally can come rescue you.

As humans, it is for this reason sometimes people go quiet in a room when they hear racial slurs. If your internal clock isn't ringing when this social cue is happening, for example, being asked where you learned such good English then you most likely are a perpetrator of the vice. The best way to test this is by watching a sports game where monkey chants are being heard after the person of colour scores a goal.

You can read the Politics in Health series here for more information on Global health diplomacy—reconstructing power and governance. Also, you may follow the article authors Ilona Kickbusch or Chris Barasa nationally on why GHD is an integral part of leadership and governance in health.

We are our own worst enemies

This is why Global Health Diplomacy (GHD) is so important

This is also why we may never win the race of people judging you directly or indirectly because of your skin tone and we have proof of how this crumbles organizations e.g. MSAKE - Medical Students' Associations of Kenya (link) and Women in Global Health (link)

Let me let that stew a bit. Part two will be out in October

Till next time. Feedback is always welcome via [email protected] , my DM or my WhatsApp Business line: +254786713210