Advancing Equitable Health Systems

Solutions discussed:

Work with members of a target group to tackle their specific problems

In Bangladesh, women found it hard to remember exact quantities and ratios to make up rehydration solutions. Public health officials worked with them to devise a solution. Instead of using metric units, they started using 'fistfuls' as a measure which was easier.

Presented by: Sabina Faiz Rashid

Develop appropriate mechanisms to reach underserved populations with public health messaging

Understand why some people may not seek out healthcare. For example, women not allowed to leave the house, or people living in poverty not having digital access, and then find solutions to ensure public health messaging reaches them. In India, commmunity workers go from door to door in rural areas, to do health promotion activities like vaccination.

Presented by: Sabina Faiz Rashid

Decentralize hospital treatments in partnership with pharmacies to improve access to them

Hospital visits can be expensive, time consuming and uncomfortable for patients. This can be a barrier to going to hospital for their treatment. To reduce this Lloyds pharmacy have mobile units in supermarkets that are more accessible (closer to people's home, no parking fees). They can deliver things like cancer drugs (IV) and injections.

Presented by: Jo upton

Clinical Homecare Information

Use artificial intelligence, cognitive assistance and robotics to improve efficiency and reduce demands on the workforce

In almost every country, there is a shortage of healthcare staff. If we can use digital intelligence to perform routine tasks, we can free up time for the trained professionals like nurses and doctors to perform more complex tasks. 79% of doctors and nurses think they are overqualified for the jobs they do on a daily basis. We shouldn't be wasting their talent and expertise and reducing their satisfaction with work.

Presented by: Mark Britnell

Provide training and support to home carers to improve health outcomes and wellbeing for patients

Research shows that when relatives or friends are (trained) home carers, patients have greater satisfaction and reduced hospital admissions, than if they have strangers as carers. This is 'normal' in many cultures, eg India or Japan, whereas in the Western world, it is not as common and may be considered a burden.

Presented by: Mark Britnell

Global Workforce Crisis Healthcare 

Greater international collaboration, accountability and equity should drive vaccination programmes

As we've seen with Covid-19, the public health of one country depends on other countries. Therefore, it is the responsibilities of all governments to end vaccine apartheid and ensure that every country can vaccinate its people.

Presented by: Agnes Binagwaho

Train more healthcare workers from diverse communities with greater local knowledge and willingness to serve their communities

They are more likely to stay in that community and also provide better service because they understand social circumstances and wider determinants of health in their community better. For example, CVS Pharmacy in the USA have a project to recruit healthcare workers from excluded populations.

Presented by: Mark Britnell

Workforce Initiatives

Address barriers to employment for women in healthcare

Norway has the highest percentage of workers in the healthcare sector, because they have invested a lot into helping women with childcare costs and return-to-work schemes. Many women are underemployed because of such barriers, especially in developing countries. This is an untapped potential.

Presented by: Mark Britnell