25th Global Health Network Meeting: Uniting for Healthcare Excellence

The 25^th Texas Children’s Global Health Network Meeting, hosted by Baylor Foundation Malawi from November 11-15, 2024, brought together an assembly of healthcare professionals from all nine Texas Children’s Global Health Network country sites. Held in a hybrid format, the conference welcomed 130 in-person participants and 128 virtual attendees. Guided by the theme “Harmonizing Healthcare: Uniting for Excellence and Impact,” this gathering showcased innovative practices and fostered collaboration to address global health challenges. 

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A Platform for Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

Participants from Malawi, Eswatini, Uganda, Lesotho, Botswana, Romania, Tanzania, Argentina, and Colombia enriched the discussions with diverse perspectives. The agenda covered critical topics, including pediatric HIV care, tuberculosis, maternal and neonatal health, stigma reduction, and quality improvement initiatives.

Program Highlights

The week-long event featured a mix of oral presentations, poster presentations, didactic sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities:

• Oral Abstracts and Discussions spotlighted the latest research in pediatric HIV care and quality improvement, including innovative approaches to tuberculosis diagnosis.
• Service Line Showcase emphasized building capacity across healthcare services, inspiring the scaling of impactful initiatives. 
• Workshops on research fundamentals and funded research opportunities equipped participants with practical strategies to enhance their contributions to global health.

Vibrant events, including a fireside welcome reception and colorful cultural night, added an element of unity and celebration. Her Excellency Stella Ndau, Malawi High Commissioner to South Africa, was guest of honor at the event, emphasizing the importance of cross-cultural collaboration.

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Awards and Recognition

The meeting concluded with awards honoring scientific excellence:

• Best Oral Abstract: Ms. Emily Mwase, Social Worker at Baylor Foundation Malawi, for her study on psychosocial struggles of HIV-positive emerging adults.
• Best Poster: Dr. Florence Anabwani-Richter, Clinical Director at Baylor Foundation Eswatini, for a quality improvement project on reducing patient waiting times.
• Best Cultural Performances: Baylor Foundation Uganda and Botswana Baylor Trust

The 25^th Global Health Network Meeting set a new benchmark for collaboration and innovation in global health. Participants left inspired and equipped with actionable insights to advance healthcare outcomes. As Ms. Phoebe Nyasulu, Executive Director of Baylor Foundation Malawi, noted during her opening address, the meeting embodied the power of collective effort to drive sustainable improvements in healthcare.