Artificial intelligence is changing the way we think about healthcare, offering new ways to connect, diagnose, and support patients—especially through telemedicine. More people than ever are speaking to their doctor from home, getting advice online, and sharing data from their devices. It’s fast, it’s convenient, and it’s full of promise. But is it enough? Where does technology stop and real human insight begin? 

In a recent episode of Development Aid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam sat down with Professor Krishnan Ganapathy, a veteran neurosurgeon and one of the world’s leading voices on digital health. Together, they cut through the hype to talk honestly about what AI can—and can’t—do for medicine today. 

Ganapathy doesn’t shy away from the benefits. He’s seen firsthand how remote consultations and wearable gadgets make it possible to spot health issues early, save time, and reach people who might otherwise be left behind. He’s comfortable with the future—“A clinician who’s not AI literate is a menace to society,” he says. Still, the heart of his message is caution. “Chatbots may handle routine questions, but they cannot get inside my brain—or understand my patient’s real needs.” No app or algorithm, he insists, can read the whole story behind a symptom. 

Instead, Ganapathy believes that good care depends on context, conversation, and trust. “The human-trained brain understands not just symptoms, but a patient’s story—their social status, their context, and can factor in what matters most.” He’s wary of putting too much faith in technology and sees doctors as the guardians of real judgment. “AI can recommend, but only humans should decide management for real people, at real moments.” 

He calls for proper training, careful oversight, and honest conversations between doctors and their patients about what technology can—and cannot—be trusted to do. “A fool with a tool is still a fool,” Ganapathy says with a smile. “Technology is only useful in the right hands.” 

This episode reminds us that new tools are exciting, but real care is personal. As healthcare moves forward, it’s the human touch—and the wisdom behind it—that will always matter most. 

In line with his vision for advancing digital health, Professor Ganapathy is playing a pivotal role as Scientific Advisor for the upcoming Transforming Healthcare with IT (THIT 2026), South Asia’s leading international conference on telemedicine and digital health. Scheduled for January 30–31, 2026 in Hyderabad, India, THIT brings together global experts, innovators, and policymakers for keynotes, workshops, and interactive sessions designed to translate talk into real-world technology adoption. While Ganapathy is a staunch advocate of telemedicine, he emphasizes the importance of physical, face-to-face conferences in driving collaboration and meaningful change. His tireless efforts not only elevate the conversation but help bridge the gap between concept and impact, ensuring technology serves the cause of accessible, patient-centered care. For more details or to participate, visit www.transformhealth-it.org. 

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The age of artificial intelligence is reshaping healthcare delivery worldwide, with telemedicine at the forefront of this transformation. In episode five of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Dr. med. Jan Niclas Strickling, a German board-certified interventional cardiologist who has played a key role in advancing telemedicine through Germany’s certified centers and holds multiple certifications from the German Society of Cardiology.  

“AI is redefining what’s possible in telemedicine—but at every step, it’s collaboration, not competition,” Strickling said, unpacking how digital tools are changing patient care.” 

Across Germany and the EU, AI-driven triage systems, medical imaging analysis, and real-time language translation are making healthcare more accessible. “If AI takes the strain out of documentation—which is half my daily work—it frees me to focus on the patient,” Strickling explained. Wearables like the Apple Watch, CPAP machines, and glucose sensors generate continuous data streams that help identify patients’ needs remotely, especially in underserved areas. 

But he cautioned that technology alone isn’t enough. “AI can bridge gaps, but equity depends on broadband access, device availability, and whether AI models are trained on diverse populations.” Without representative data, AI risks missing or misdiagnosing patients from different demographic groups. 

Alongside opportunity, risks persist. Strickling described “alert fatigue” where oversensitive AI systems overwhelm clinicians with notifications, potentially obscuring urgent issues. The bigger danger is “automation bias”—over-relying on AI recommendations while sidelining clinical judgment. “The final decision must remain human,” he stressed. He recalled uploading his own ECG to ChatGPT, which wrongly diagnosed a life-threatening arrhythmia. “For patients, that can cause needless fear and erode trust in doctors.” 

Highlighting the promise of AI, Strickling described a heart failure project in Germany where wearable defibrillator vests and smart scales transmit continuous health information. AI analyzes daily blood pressure, weight, and body movement to preempt hospitalizations by advising medication adjustments. “The data flood makes sense only when paired with human judgment to determine who needs attention now.” 

Hybrid care models blending remote monitoring with targeted in-person visits are expanding, with virtual rounds led by nurses and specialists joining as needed. Yet, the human connection—empathy, understanding, and trust—remains irreplaceable 

As digital health advances Strickling calls for transparency, patient consent, and robust regulation. “We must disclose AI’s use and limits, monitor for biases, and ensure privacy through encryption and strict data controls.” The need for accountable human oversight is paramount. “Who bears responsibility for AI-driven errors? That must be a clinician.” 

Echoing the complex future, he said, “Experience and learning from mistakes remain at medicine’s core. AI assists but can’t replace the wisdom patients deserve.” 

Listen to the full episode on DevelopmentAid Dialogues. Stay informed. Stay engaged.

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The global humanitarian landscape is marked by stark contrasts: while some crises like Ukraine dominate international attention and resources, others such as Sudan, the Sahel, and Haiti struggle in the shadows. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam had a lightning interview with Désirée Ketabchi, Head of Humanitarian Action & Advocacy at Oxfam Belgium and a Brussels-based expert with experience at the European Parliament and Première Urgence Internationale. Ketabchi is a woman of action, with little time to be spent on talks. She offers a candid perspective on the drivers behind aid allocation, the real impact of funding cuts, and the urgent need to center humanitarian action on people’s needs beyond geopolitical interests. 

“The challenge is that aid increasingly follows politics rather than pure humanitarian need, leaving many crises forgotten and underserved,” Ketabchi explained. “We try to be people-centered, but funding is shrinking even as needs grow, forcing difficult choices.” 

Ketabchi described how geopolitical interests heavily shape donor decisions, creating disparities in which emergencies receive support. “When it’s not in the media spotlight, it’s hard to raise funds or public awareness, even if needs are severe.” She cited the impact of the Gaza conflict overshadowing crises like Sudan, where vulnerable populations especially women and children bear the brunt without sufficient attention from donors or the public. 

Calls for more flexible funding echo across her experience. “Rigid donor restrictions complicate rapid response,” she noted, observing that some governments’ foreign ministries and humanitarian agencies often struggle to align on priorities and modalities. Flexibility would enable aid organizations to deliver assistance based on evolving needs, not political calculations. 

Ketabchi highlighted the tangible fallout of recent funding cuts, particularly from USAID in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “Cuts mean fewer teams on the ground, less support for essential services like health and water, and ultimately, greater suffering for vulnerable communities,” she said.

“When one organization steps back, another can step in—but only if collaboration is strong,” Ketabchi emphasized, calling for deeper cooperation even amid financial constraints. 

Beyond immediate relief, Ketabchi underlined Oxfam’s integrated approach linking humanitarian action with long-term advocacy on inequality and economic justice. “Most crises have interconnected root causes—climate, conflict, systemic inequality—that demand holistic solutions.” Youth engagement is a vital part of this, with younger generations volunteering and campaigning for inclusive policies around the world. 

Looking to donors, she urged renewed commitment and solidarity: “Cutting funding and overlooking international law fuels more conflicts and humanitarian crises. The human cost is immense.” For listeners, she emphasized the urgent human toll behind headline debates: “Every withdrawal affects families seeking safe water, children awaiting a meal, communities desperate for protection.” 

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World Humanitarian Day 2025, observed globally on August 19, stands as a solemn tribute to the courage and sacrifice of aid workers delivering hope amid crises. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Sajeda Shawa, head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the United Arab Emirates. With over 18 years of leadership in humanitarian affairs across the Middle East and beyond, Sajeda brings a rare combination of deep regional insight and global advocacy experience — notably serving as Special Advisor to the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria. 

“World Humanitarian Day is not a celebration; it’s a moment to remember those colleagues who have lost their lives delivering aid in some of the world’s most dangerous places,” Sajeda said. Last year alone, more than 380 humanitarian workers were killed, 98% of whom were national staff closely embedded with affected communities. Gaza remains the deadliest place for aid workers, with over 500 killed since October 2023. These numbers reflect not statistics, but human lives with stories, families, and profound loss. 

The scale of need continues to expand against a backdrop of more than 130 active armed conflicts globally. Sajeda highlighted that 300 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance — driven foremost by conflict and forced displacement at historic highs. Women, children, and marginalized groups disproportionately bear the brunt of crises exacerbated by rising food insecurity, sexual and gender-based violence, and the devastating impact of war on children. Climate change and natural disasters add layers of complexity and urgency to response needs worldwide. 

With attacks on aid workers reaching record levels, OCHA has intensified advocacy for protection and accountability. Sajeda described how the humanitarian community urges Member States and all parties to conflict to respect their obligations and end the culture of impunity regarding violence against civilians and responders. The independent voices of national staff, who endure disproportionate risks, anchor this call for global solidarity. 

Deep cuts to humanitarian funding — notably from major donors like USAID, Germany, and the UK — have forced what Sajeda calls a “humanitarian reset.” With only 18% of assessed needs currently funded, aid actors must make difficult decisions, prioritizing life-saving interventions and protection for the 114 million most vulnerable people. This hyper prioritization demands agility and coordination across agencies and governments to maximize impact amid scarce resources. 

Highlighting localization as central to effective humanitarian response, Sajeda stressed women’s vital role. Over 50% of affected populations are women and children, yet women historically have been underrepresented among decision-makers and responders. OCHA UAE works closely with local partners to boost women’s leadership and meaningful participation at all stages—from planning to diplomacy. Youth engagement is also a priority, aiming to nurture the next generation of humanitarian leaders across the region. 

In a time of rising needs and dwindling resources, she emphasized that solidarity, collaboration, and courageous leadership are key to sustain

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The hard truth of modern humanitarian action was this: access had closed, risks had risen, and remote delivery had become unavoidable. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast (Season 3), host Hisham Allam spoke with Ina Bluemel—a veteran of emergency health, WASH, and logistics leadership across WHO, IFRC, and multiple NGOs—about what it took to keep aid effective when workers could not set foot on site, frameworks felt rigid, and trust was under strain. 

Bluemel set the tone bluntly: remote operations demanded relationship-building, coordination, and response start-up all at once—without physical presence—and shifted risk onto local partners who faced the threats international teams avoided. “This is never a one-man show,” she said, arguing remote response only worked when integrated teams supported partners and respected existing local systems instead of overriding them. 

On donors, she said the core challenge lay in accountability frameworks that scaled control but struggled with context. Many tools “lacked adaptability to a local context,” she argued, creating the familiar misfit where “your answer is A, but your structures are only providing B, C, and D.” The consequences, she added, included needs overlooked, wrong voices amplified, and vulnerable groups sidelined—unless agencies invested in triangulation, stronger local networks, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) shaped by the context rather than imposed upon it. 

Her prescription was radical in its simplicity: transparency “to the bone.” Bluemel acknowledged the sector’s fear that admitting problems risked future funding—“If we admit we’ve got it wrong, the likelihood that we’re going to get money in the future is reduced,” she said—but she argued donors must engage as partners, not just gatekeepers, and agencies must institutionalize feedback loops that made communities as central to accountability as funders. On data quality, she added that teams should combine primary and secondary sources, resolve discrepancies through deeper research, and expand capabilities with GIS, spatial analysis, and AI—without abandoning the “good old” discipline of multi-source triangulation. 

Remote management, she emphasized, was not a shortcut—it was “an enormous amount of extra work”—but it kept lifelines open where otherwise agencies would “pack up” and leave people to fend for themselves. At its best, it accelerated meaningful localization: investing so local partners “felt accountable,” ensuring local knowledge shaped plans and M&E, and making adaptability a first principle rather than an afterthought. 

Against tightening budgets and donor retrenchment, Bluemel warned of a “humanitarian emergency” inside the system and called for genuine rethinking that amplified new actors and turned “lessons identified” into lessons truly implemented. “We claim we learn; we tick the box,” she said; real M&E should be “project enhancing and future influencing,” not mere paperwork. 

Listen to the full episode with Ina Bluemel on DevelopmentAid Dialogues. Stay informed. Stay engaged. 

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The age of abundant Western aid is ending—and this time, no rebound is guaranteed. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Dr. Julius Kirimi Sindi, a systems innovator and director of the Gates Foundation–backed Catalyze Impact Initiative, about how global development must adapt before it unravels. Drawing from decades of leadership in African research and reform, Sindi argues that this funding shift isn’t just financial—it’s existential.

“We are seeing simultaneous crises,” he said. “Geopolitical tensions, climate shocks, and rising populism make aid less politically palatable.” Citing Executive Order 14169 in the U.S., UK aid cuts, and shrinking European budgets, he warned, “Unlike the past periods, today local institutions face digital competition and political issues they’ve never had to navigate before.”

Why did so few see it coming? “Old patterns are very difficult to change,” he explained. “There’s been a culture of dependence… many assumed the big donors would always be there.” Instead of preparing for blended finance and sustainability, “most defaulted to grant-writing marathons.”

Sindi believes the real test is organizational mindset. “In a VUCA world—volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous—five-year strategic plans are a suicide note,” he said. “Development organizations must decentralize, scenario-plan, and build feedback loops.” The challenge, he added, is cultural: “Most systems reward people who conform, not those who adapt.”

On alternative funding, he is both candid and cautious. Private foundations like Gates or Rockefeller “are great at providing seed funding,” he noted, “but when it comes to scaling up, they’re not good at that.” As for impact investors? “It’s a mismatch in language and mindset,” Sindi explained. “They want monetization, risk mitigation—nonprofits speak of activities and outputs, not unit costs and return on investment.”

One of his clearest lessons: financial credibility matters.

His work has helped over 120 institutions earn Good Financial Grant Practice credentials.

Still, survival isn’t just about certifications. It’s also about narrative. “The biggest problem in the Global South is we do not know how to tell our stories,” he said. “When stories are told by others, there is miscommunication. There is loss in translation.”

For those feeling overwhelmed, he had one final piece of advice:

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Devastating wildfires and intense heatwaves are sweeping across continents—from Indonesia’s burning rainforests and Canada’s parched woodlands to Latin America and, of course, Europe’s Mediterranean coasts. The scale and frequency of these disasters are reminders that climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a global emergency demanding action at every level. 

In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Robin Degron, Director of Plan Bleu (UN Environment), about the changing climate landscape in the Mediterranean—and what its communities, economies, and ecology can teach the world about adaptation and resilience. 

Drawing on over thirty years of experience in environmental governance and sustainable development, Degron describes a “multi-seasonal climate crisis.” “Every spring and summer now bring higher risks of drought and wildfire,” he explains, “while autumn and winter see increasingly fierce floods and storms.” It’s a year-round test for governments and people—and the stakes are growing. 

Tourism, a pillar of many Mediterranean economies, faces new vulnerabilities. “The classic summer beach experience is shifting,” Degron notes. As extreme heat and fire risks grow, countries must extend tourist seasons, move activities inland, and highlight local heritage to buffer economic shocks and preserve jobs. 

But it is not just business at risk. Health systems are under pressure from rising heat-related illness, and communities are coping with evacuations, trauma, and altered daily life. Nature is also showing strain: Mediterranean forests face declining iconic tree species, and vital marine plants suffer in warming waters. Yet, with the right management—such as planting hardier trees and reimagining urban green spaces—there are signs of adaptation. 

Plan Bleu’s work goes further than research, focusing on building regional policy frameworks, piloting wildfire prevention barriers, and fostering cooperation across borders. According to Degron, local initiatives and innovative land management can lower risks, but only with more investment and shared commitment. 

Voluntary firefighting teams, he emphasizes, are crucial on the front lines—but must be strengthened with professional training and resources to match the evolving threat. 

As the episode closes, Degron offers a measured optimism: “Building climate resilience and transforming our relationship with the land is a century-long mission. But through smart policies, science, and collaboration, there’s hope for recovery and renewal.” 

Listen to the full episode with Robin Degron on DevelopmentAid Dialogues. 

Note: Episode 15 closes the second season of DevelopmentAid Dialogues – your gateway to insightful conversations on key humanitarian and aid topics with distinguished minds from around the world. 

Subscribe to the podcast on your preferred platform, and don't miss season three, launching in September 2025. 

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As mounting debt strangles public services and climate disasters escalate, a provocative idea is gaining ground: what if countries could trade their debt burdens for environmental action? In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Sawsan Bou Fakhreddine, Director General of the Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC), about debt-for-nature swaps—a mechanism that promises relief for both treasuries and threatened ecosystems. From Lebanon’s crumbling forests to the global search for sustainable finance, Bou Fakhreddine brings rare on-the-ground insight into a tool many see as underused, poorly understood, and urgently needed. 

At their core, these swaps let heavily indebted countries reduce or restructure their debt in exchange for serious environmental commitments. The potential is huge—but so are the blind spots. “The level or the degree of degradation of land and ecosystems and natural resources is way faster than recovery,” Bou Fakhreddine warned. “What we lose in one day, for instance in wildfire, would need like a decade or more to be restored—if we are able to restore it.” 

Bou Fakhreddine, who also serves as a senior advisor to Lebanon’s Minister of Agriculture, has worked on disaster risk and ecosystem governance for over two decades. She says the concept is promising—but few understand it. “There’s misunderstanding about it at all levels,” she said. “At the government level, they don't see it as an opportunity.” 

Why? “Decision-makers... they don't see it in figures,” she explained. “If we manage to valorize the ecosystems—put a dollar value on land degradation... then they would start trying to understand this kind of concept.” 

But knowledge gaps aren’t the only barrier. “Poor governance is the first threat,” she said. “We have a lot of laws... but we don’t have the tools, the good governance, to be able to implement those strategies.” Even successful restoration plans often fall apart, she added, “because we are in a crisis mode for the last 10 years.” 

Still, Bou Fakhreddine insists real-world models can work—if built from the ground up. “Never bring to the community a ready-made project,” she said. “Consult, consult and consult. Because they are the owner of the land... they live there, they benefit from the service of the ecosystem.” 

AFDC has implemented wildfire risk reduction plans that put communities in charge of their own protection. “Where we are able to succeed is where we build trust with the local community,” she explained. “We never bring anything by force.” 

And when trust is lacking? “We didn’t succeed,” she said plainly. “It’s very easy to sabotage a natural ecosystem.” 

Listen to the full episode with Sawsan Bou Fakhreddine on DevelopmentAid Dialogues. Stay informed. Stay engaged. 

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“Localization” has become one of the most repeated terms in international development—but is it a genuine shift, or just a new label for old practices? In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Dr. Duncan Green, Professor in Practice at the London School of Economics and longtime Oxfam strategist, about why shifting power in aid is harder—and more essential—than most are willing to admit.

“Localization means different things to different people,” Green began. “Some define it as simply channeling more funds to local organizations. But that alone won’t fix the system unless we also rethink how decisions are made, how impact is measured, and who gets to define what success looks like.”

Speaking from years of close collaboration with Global South actors and reform initiatives, Green warned that while localization is often framed as empowering, it can easily become a tick-box exercise. “True power isn’t about shifting tasks, it’s about shifting the authority to decide—and that’s rarely on the table,” he said.

He pointed to the deep institutional barriers that have stalled progress. “Aid agencies are still judged by how much money they move. Their internal incentives don’t reward giving power away,” he explained. “And donors still demand rigid plans and fast results, even when long-term change—like shifting harmful social norms—requires patience, trust, and deep context.”

Green also urged the sector to stop romanticizing the word “community.” “Power exists inside communities too,” he cautioned. “Just because an organization is local doesn’t mean it’s accountable, inclusive, or equitable.”

Amid growing aid cuts and political fragmentation, Green believes the landscape is shifting by necessity. “We may be witnessing a tsunami—not a tide—that washes away old assumptions,” he noted. “What rises from the wreckage might be more authentic, messier, and less funded—but also less colonial.”

He sees promise in alternatives, from pooled funds managed by local actors to locally driven philanthropy and religious giving like zakat, which mobilizes trillions globally. But he’s clear-eyed: “No money is free of strings. The key is understanding which strings we can live with—and who gets to tie them.”

Green’s message for international NGOs is equally blunt: “Stop pretending to build local capacity while preserving your own dominance. Ask instead: what would it take to get out of the way?”

Looking ahead, he doesn’t believe localization will emerge cleanly. “It won’t be one big shift,” he said. “It’ll be a thousand messy experiments. Some will fail. Some will stick. But the era of pretending power can be shared without being surrendered—that’s over.”

Listen to the full episode with Duncan Green on DevelopmentAid Dialogues. Stay informed. Stay engaged.

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Abandonment at the Breaking Point: Confronting the Aid Cuts with Stephen Cornish  

By: DevelopmentAid Dialogues 

In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Stephen Cornish, General Director of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Switzerland, about the mounting global humanitarian crises—from famine zones in Sudan to the collapse of water systems in Chad—and the devastating impact of frozen aid funding. 

Cornish, who has spent decades leading humanitarian operations in some of the world’s most volatile regions, did not mince words. “In Sudan we have the world’s greatest humanitarian crisis,” he said. “And it’s also probably one of the most underreported.” 

Cornish detailed the grim situation across the region. “One-third of the population has been displaced—many, several times. According to WHO, 70% of health facilities in conflict areas are non-functional or destroyed,” he noted. “In Chad, over 700,000 people fled Darfur. Many were executed or faced sexual violence. They’re now just one epidemic away from a malnutrition and sanitation disaster.” 

The consequences are measurable and deadly. MSF screening in North Darfur revealed that “35.5% of children were acutely malnourished,” Cornish confirmed. “These are not just emergency stats. They signal total system failure.” 

But as needs skyrocket, donor funding is plummeting. Major cuts from USAID and European governments have left frontline organizations scrambling. “We are living through a moment of record need, and yet the humanitarian system is under shock,” Cornish warned. “One organisation had half its programming for Darfur cut from one day to the next.” 

This funding retreat forces impossible choices. “We have to make global triage decisions,” Cornish explained. “Sometimes we won’t build a hospital to redirect funds to life-saving work elsewhere. That means some people will go without assistance so others can survive.” 

Cornish also addressed the politicization of aid, particularly in conflict zones. “We are not neutral in the face of suffering,” he stressed. “If parties to a conflict are violating international humanitarian law—attacking civilians, blocking aid—we will speak out.” 

He recalled the 2013 chemical attack in Ghouta, Syria, when MSF-supported clinics treated over 6,000 patients within hours. “One of our volunteers died giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. We had to speak out. The world needed to know.” 

Asked whether neutrality can survive the era of weaponized narratives and social media, Cornish was reflective. “To be seen to take sides is very dangerous for access,” he said. “But we will not be silent in the face of atrocities. That would make a mockery of humanitarianism.” 

Still, hope persists. “Recently in South Sudan, Ethiopian refugees cared for Sudanese displaced by war,” Cornish shared. “That’s the essence of humanity. People forced to flee one war are now showing up for others.” 

Listen to the full episode on DevelopmentAid Dialogues. 

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