Join host Ben Plumley from Phnom Penh Cambodia, in conversation with Thomas Cai, a visionary Chinese-born entrepreneur and CEO of Open Source Technologies. Thomas, a pioneering figure in Asia’s rapidly growing biopharmaceutical industry, shares his journey from HIV advocacy to leading high-impact hepatitis public-private partnerships in Southeast Asia. He offers a critical analysis of the effectiveness of traditional providers of global aid including NGOs and the Global Fund, while also envisioning a self-reliant future led by local health authorities, businesses and communities, calling only on the expertise and funding from northern partners as needed.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:40 Meet Thomas Cai: A Visionary Leader

01:39 Thomas Cai’s Journey and Achievements

03:33 Open Source Technologies: Mission and Focus

04:46 The Hepatitis Crisis in Southeast Asia

08:55 Challenges in Hepatitis Treatment

15:53 Critique of Global Health Funding Models

28:56 Thomas Cai’s Background and Early Work

39:11 The Role of Buyers Clubs in the HIV Epidemic

40:45 Challenges with NGOs and Public Sector in Disease Treatment

43:02 The Risk of Monopolization in Healthcare

43:39 The Importance of Business in Disease Control

51:33 Disruption and Innovation in Healthcare

53:22 Personal Reflections and Influences

01:07:18 The Hepatitis Elimination Alliance in Cambodia

01:09:12 Final Thoughts and Reflections

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Cohosts Yvette Raphael and Ben Plumley unpick the major news coming out of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva. – from the new pandemic treaty, to WHO budget and staffing cuts, to increases in membership fees and voluntary contributions. They ruminate on how the current seemingly-unstoppable geopolitical chaos is affecting the ability of global health institutions like the World Health Organisation to deliver – and deliver on what exactly? What can the WHO actually do in such a fractured political climate? They reflect on US Secretary

00:00 Introduction

00:24 Support and

00:56 World Health

01:23 Yvette's

02:02 HIV and Weight

04:09 Elon Musk's

08:19 Pandemic Treaty

14:32 WHO Budget Cuts

18:15 Global South's

28:45 China's Growing

33:19 Conclusion and

45:14 Closing Remarks

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While the global health community wrenches its clothes and gnashes its teeth in Switzerland at the 78th World Health Assembly, Dr Mike Reid, Associate Director of the Center for Global Health Diplomacy, UCSF joins Ben in an entertaining and wide ranging exploration of a positive, forward-looking agenda for global health. Topics include global health security, one health, mis- and disinformation in the doctor-patient relationship, health technology and specific future uses and pitfalls of AI to improve access to healthcare in developing countries.  Mike offers a promise of a future episode on channelling philanthropic dollars into sovereign wealth funds for global health investments. And finally they reflect on their upbringing in the UK with its “free at the point of delivery” National Health Service, and argue over which of the modern Cambridge University Colleges they went to most resembles a multi-story car park. 

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:09 World Health Assembly Insights

01:18 Guest Introduction: Dr. Mike Reed

03:40 Mike Reid’s  Background and Career

05:58 Global Health Security and Solidarity

11:28 The One Health Agenda

14:12 Artificial Intelligence in Global Health

37:26 Navigating Healthcare Systems

43:48 Closing Remarks and Future Topics

Mike’s Substack:  https://reimaginingglobalhealth.substack.com/

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Host Ben Plumley is joined by Solange Baptiste of ITPC, an influential non-profit expert in strengthening healthcare access in developing countries, employing the strengths and minimizing the risks of new technology, particularly AI. Its an even more urgent challenge in the wake of massive funding cuts from the US. Solange shares her insights on the

 https://itpcglobal.org/

https://www.gatesnotes.com/work/save-lives/reader/20-years-to-give-away-virtually-all-my-wealth

00:00 Introduction

00:04 The Role of AI

01:16 Guest

01:44 ITPC's Mission

06:57 Challenges and

09:37 Community-Led

17:00 Global Health

23:43 Ubuntu

23:53 The Power

25:25 Artificial

27:42 Challenges and

30:40 Digitalization

38:53 Future of

42:35 Affordability

45:43 Global

50:25 Conclusion and

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Ben revisits the application of innovation to deliver healthcare transformation – this time the merging technology with social science to reward undetectability in the fight against HIV.  We meet Mackenzie Copley, Co-Founder & CEO of SHINE, who shares his journey from a young volunteer to creating a groundbreaking app that incentivizes HIV patients to remain virally suppressed by providing financial rewards. They discuss the economic and ethical implications of this approach and SHINE's potential impact on ending the HIV epidemic. Mackenzie also details the pilot project in Las Vegas and the regulatory challenges faced, ensuring the app's effectiveness and security for participants. This episode is a compelling look into how innovative incentives can transform global health. Tune in for insights on compassion, technology, and the future of HIV treatment.

https://www.shineapp.co/

00:00 Introduction to

00:33 Why Focus on

01:46 Meet Mackenzie

02:21 Mackenzie's

04:39 Founding One

05:36 Achievements

06:34 Introduction to

07:00 The 90-90-90

08:55 The Vision

12:34 Funding and

16:14 Challenges and

20:39 Choosing Las

21:39 The Impact of

22:58 SHINE: Tech

25:01 Mission

27:37 Ensuring Data

32:35 Future

37:04 Call to Action:

37:52 Contact

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In this special episode of A Shot in the Arm podcast, hosts Ben Plumley and Yvette Raphael share the exciting news of Yvette receiving the Mani L. Bhaumik Breakthrough Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. They discuss the significance of African women's involvement in clinical trials, particularly the Global Advisory Board’s active participation in the design of trials of new long acting injectables for HIV prevention - particularly the groundbreaking way pregnant women were, for the first time, able to continue to participate in these studies. They also delve into the current challenges faced by global health initiatives, the impact of private and governmental organizations, and the crucial role of mental health and advocacy in combating HIV. The episode addresses the ongoing impact of US funding cuts on global HIV services and the importance of maintaining global solidarity and support for effective HIV prevention and treatment. Yvette emphasizes the need for accessible, affordable HIV prevention methods and the ongoing advocacy required to ensure these advancements reach those who need them most.

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Episode link on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/xiZpnpVScS4

Ben Plumley is joined by musician, DJ, and influencer Anto NeoSoul to explore the evolving concept of masculinity in the 21st century. Reflecting on their personal experiences and societal observations from Kenya to the UK, Ben and Anton discuss the impacts of traditional gender roles, the rise of toxic masculinity, and the importance of gender equity. The conversation delves into the influences of matriarchal societies, personal stories involving media and cultural icons, and the significance of positive male mentoring. They also touch on sensitive topics such as the relationship with firearms and the role women play in shaping a positive sense of masculinity. This engaging discussion aims to foster a broader understanding and redefine what it means to be a man today.

Watch this episode on Youtube:

Mitchell Warren, AVAC's Executive Director, joins Ben to scope out a forward-looking infectious disease   prevention strategy. It is urgently needed, amidst political and economic turmoil caused by the dismantling of US aid and declines in funding from European donors. With HIV as the poster child of what once was global health solidarity, it is an opportunity for a resurgent and resilient Global South to take the reins and set priorities in how to deploy new biomedical innovations, and protecting the rights of communities affected by HIV and other pandemics. Ben and Mitchell also delve into the various legal actions the public health community is taking against the current US administration's executive orders, asking the question - how to we prep for prevention at home and internationally? 

00:00 Introduction and Current Challenges in Global Health 

01:09 Welcoming Mitchell Warren and AVAC's Mission 

01:43 The Evolution of HIV Prevention and AVAC's Role 

03:17 Current Frustrations and Challenges in HIV Prevention 

05:15 The Promise and Challenges of Lenacapavir 

08:03 The Importance of Choice in HIV Prevention 

10:22 Navigating Funding and Policy Obstacles 

12:43 The Role of Donors and Ministries in HIV Prevention 

14:56 The Urgency of Lenacapavir Approval and Implementation 

20:52 Sustainability and Future Planning in Global Health 

25:44 Legal Battle Against Government Orders 

26:50 Temporary Restraining Order and Its Implications 

27:14 Government's Slow Compliance and Ongoing Legal Struggles 

28:38 Public Record and Whistleblower Revelations 

30:56 Impact on American Influence and Global Health 

33:45 Diplomacy and Foreign Assistance 

35:04 Consequences of Policy Changes 

40:01 Future Strategies and Targets for Global Health 

45:51 Music and Reflections on Democracy 

48:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 

Learn more about AVAC

https://avac.org

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In this episode of A Shot in the Arm podcast, Ben Plumley discusses an ongoing potentially highly significant legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act with Eric Waskowicz, Senior Policy Manager at the United States of Care. The case involves a small group of employers in Texas seeking to eliminate mandates for free preventative services, positing both constitutional issues and religious objections. Eric explains the potential widespread impacts on access to healthcare if the Supreme Court rules against the ACA provisions. He emphasizes the importance of no-cost preventative services and the economic and social benefits of maintaining them. The conversation also highlights continued bipartisan support - even from the Trump administration - for these measures and the role of state-level advocacy in preserving access to comprehensive healthcare.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:17 The Curious Case of Legal Action in the US

01:04 Introducing Eric Kovi and United States of Care

04:49 Background on the Affordable Care Act and Preventive Services

06:46 The Impact of the Supreme Court Case

15:39 Mobilizing Support and Advocacy

22:49 Eric Kovi's Career Journey

27:22 Call to Action and Conclusion

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Youtube link

https://youtu.be/32VDJese8nY

In this episode of A Shot in the Arm Podcast, Ben Plumley talks with Professor Eyal Zimlichman, Chief Transformation Officer and Chief Innovation Officer for the Sheba Medical Center in Israel. They discuss the transformative role of artificial intelligence in global healthcare, from innovations that reduce mortality rates to AI-driven diagnostic tools. Prof. Zimlichman shares insights on leveraging AI for efficiency, reducing healthcare costs, and driving economic growth by fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. The conversation also delves into how developing countries can leapfrog traditional healthcare models using AI technology, and the importance of AI governance and validation across different populations.