With conflicts around the globe subjecting millions of people to displacement, suffering and devastating health consequences, the UNMC College of Public Health has started a new webinar series to help frontline health professionals navigate the health emergencies of conflict zones.
The discussion series, “From the Frontlines of Conflict,” is meant to empower emergency health care workers and public health responders with knowledge, preparedness and empathy for operating in a volatile setting.
The UNMC College of Public Health and its Center for Global Health and Development are partnering with a number of global organizations in the initiative: the International Centre for Migration, Health and Development; Birzeit University, located in the West Bank, and its Institute of Community and Public Health; and Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt.
“Through this international collaboration, we can enhance our collective capacity to respond to the dire health needs arising from global conflicts, ultimately minimizing lives lost and fostering a more ready and resilient global response corps,” said Ali S. Khan, MD, MPH, dean of the UNMC College of Public Health and Richard Holland Presidential Chair.
The second in the five-part series will be today (June 12) at 11 a.m. CST on the topic of emergency medical response, “Urgent Care Under Fire: Emergency Medicine in Conflicts.” Among the presenters is UNMC’s Nada Fadul, MD, professor in the UNMC Division of Infectious Diseases.
Dr. Fadul, who is from Sudan, completed her medical degree from the University of Khartoum-Faculty of Medicine in Sudan and has carried on her health care outreach in the war-torn country.
The discussion’s moderator will be Ahmed Al-Mandhari, MD, PhD, of the ministry of health in Oman and former director of the World Health Organization’s Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO). Other panelists are:
- Ognjen Gajic, MD, of the Mayo Clinic
- Nabil Al Barqouni, MD, PhD, of the Islamic University of Gaza
- Dziuba Dmytro, MD, PhD, of Shupyk National Healthcare and the University of Ukraine
To register for the discussion, visit this link.
The initial webinar May 29 discussed prioritizing material and child health.
Future discussions are planned for:
- June 26, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CST, on epidemic infectious diseases
- July 10, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CST, on emergency food and nutrition
- July 24, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CST, on mental health and social support
Organizers say they hope the discussions can share knowledge and understanding among emergency health and public health responders, while also honoring the heroes working within those conflicts and offering them psychosocial support.
Participants will have the opportunity to explore best practices, engage in real-world scenarios and pay tribute to the dedication of those providing care during the crises.
Visit the Center for Global Health and Development at this link for more about the discussion series, Q&As, recorded past webinars and to register for future webinars.