Date: March 9, 2015
Time: 16:00-18:00 (Reception 18:00-19:30)
Venue: Toranomon Hills, 5th floor, Hall A (23 Toranomon 1 Chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
*Simultaneous translation was provided.

The 2014 Ebola epidemic in West Africa exemplifies the vulnerability of weak, under-resourced health systems. Now in what the WHO calls a “second phase,” the epidemic has significantly slowed, yet the rise in new cases observed in early February reveals that the crisis continues. Resource allocation must continue and we all must evaluate the process of how infectious diseases, such as Ebola, become crises within the current global health paradigm. There is also a need to review how the global community works to address infectious diseases and go beyond the “old public health” to explore new ways to address the essential health care needs of populations in developing countries.

At this event, we discussed the role innovation plays in the fight against NTDs that persist in developing countries and emerging economies, using Ebola as a concrete example of the risks faced by increasingly urbanized, yet under-prepared health systems. This panel discussion featured speakers who approach infectious diseases and innovation from different, complementary angles. Dr. BT Slingsby, the Executive Director and CEO of the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund), spoke on the role of Japan’s pharmaceutical industry in advancing pharmaceutical research of NTDs. Dr. Clara van Gulik, Humanitarian Affairs Representative at Medecins San Frontieres (MSF), provided first person perspective on issues that arise when working with patients, families, and health care workers in developing health systems. And Dr. Dai Hozumi, Director for Public Health Strategy and Analytics, Senior Advisor for Health Systems and Policy, PATH (US-based global health innovator), provided an overview of the shifting approaches in global health that harness the potential of innovation.

Opening:
Dr. Kiyoshi Kurokawa, Chairman, Health and Global Policy Institute

Panelists:
Dr. BT Slingsby, CEO, Global Health Innovative Technology Fund
Dr. Clara Van Gulik, Humanitarian Affairs Representative, Medecins San Frontieres
Dr. Dai Hozumi, Director for Public Health Strategy and Analytics, Senior Advisor for Health Systems and Policy, PATH

Moderator:
Anne Smith, Senior Associate, Health and Global Policy Institute

■Participation Fee: Free

Registration deadline: 2015-03-06

Exhibition date：2015-03-09

Time: 16:00-18:00 (Reception 18:00-19:30)
Venue: Toranomon Hills, Hall A (23 Toranomon 1 Chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Access: http://toranomonhills.com/en/#/Access