The APPG is co-chaired by the cross-bench peer, Professor Lord Trees and Catherine West, MP. The students were set six topics and they presented their findings and recommendations at the Houses of Parliament. The presentations were followed by questions.
Commenting, Lord Trees said,
The policy briefs showed thorough research and preparation and raised interesting opportunities and recommendations for UK policy on malaria and NTDs. This is the 9th year that the MSc in IHTM has presented policy briefs in response to topics proposed by the APPG. Each year it is interesting and very relevant to hear the perspectives of health professionals with direct experience of malaria and NTDs and of working in resource limited contexts.
The topics covered were:
- How can NTDs be better incorporated into existing funding mechanisms like the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the Global Financing Facility?
- Unlocking Solutions: A One-Health Approach to Eradicating Dog-mediated Rabies
- Bovine-Human Hybrid Schistosoma Spp: An Imminent Threat to Global Human Schistosomiasis Control
- What Role can the Reform of Multilateral Development Banks play in Relation to Funding for Health Interventions, including malaria and NTDs?
- Health at Risk: When Conflict and Infectious Diseases Meet
- Gaps and Opportunities for Diagnostics in the Surveillance of Infectious Disease
Students enjoyed a tour of the Houses of Parliament including Westminster Hall, Central Lobby and the Lords Chamber. Following their presentations, they watched the Commons debate from the public gallery.
The preparation and presentation of policy briefs are part of the IHTM Leadership, Management and Communication Training which is taught throughout the MSc. This assignment is led by Dr Alice Norton and she was joined at the presentations by IHTM Course Director, Proochista Ariana, and colleagues Nicolas Pulik and Adebisi Adenipekun from the Pandemic Science Institute.
