The PanAfrican Pulse

The Pan-African Pulse continues its special coverage of the geopolitics related to the ongoing Ebola virus outbreak in DR Congo.

In this episode, Kelechi and Dhruv discuss how conflict affects specific aspects of Ebola containment, including contact tracing and community trust building, they also explore various systems-level inequities related to the Ebola response in this region and finally, they discuss ongoing efforts that are addressing health finance strengthening and humanitarian ceasefires in an effort stop this outbreak.

There is an ongoing Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

While Uganda was recently declared free of the same outbreak following stringent public health control measures, the virus continues to spread and kill people in Eastern DRC - where there is also an ongoing conflict between the national army and various armed militia operating in that region.

In this episode, Kelechi and I explore several historical and current dimensions of the conflict and it's interplay with public health - with a particular focus on the current Ebola outbreak.

There is an ongoing Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

While Uganda was recently declared free of the same outbreak following stringent public health control measures, the virus continues to spread and kill people in Eastern DRC - where there is also an ongoing conflict between the national army and various armed militia operating in that region.

In the upcoming of #ThePanAfricanPulse, Kelechi and I explore several historical and current dimensions of the conflict and it's interplay with public health - with a particular focus on the current Ebola outbreak.

🎧 Listen to this trailer and stay tuned for the episode, releasing this Saturday, 1 August 2026.

Continuing our discussion with Alaa and Nelson on armed conflict and global health, we explore what it truly takes to build resilient health systems in some of the Africa's most challenging settings.

We examine how local innovation, digital health tools (including AI) and community-led solutions are transforming healthcare delivery in conflict-affected regions.

We also unpack the complex role of international aid, geopolitics, corruption, and donor priorities in shaping health outcomes, highlighting why empowering local actors is essential for sustainable change.

This episode highlights another thought-provoking conversation on resilience, adaptation, and the partnerships needed to strengthen health systems amid ongoing crises within the African context.

The Pan-African Pulse podcast explores the intersection of armed conflict and health systems across Africa, highlighting the voices closest to the problem. It delves into the direct and indirect consequences of conflict on health systems and discusses the concept of health system resilience in conflict-affected areas. The conversation emphasizes the importance of building resilient health systems to address the challenges posed by armed conflict.

The Pan-African Pulse is a podcast that explores global health and geopolitical issues through a Pan-African lens.

Hosts Dhruv and Kelechi, both clinicians and researchers, share their personal journeys and the motivation behind the podcast.

They discuss the importance of amplifying unheard voices, decentralizing expertise, and fostering cross-continental solidarity in the context of global health.

The podcast will feature thematic deep dives into topics such as armed conflicts and health systems, climate change, migration, digital health sovereignty, and more.

The Pan-African Pulse podcast explores global health and geopolitical issues through a Pan-African lens, emphasizing the importance of hearing voices from Africa. The hosts, Dhruv and Kelechi, are clinicians and researchers studying for their PhDs in Oxford, and they aim to delve into the 'why' of global health, not just the 'what'.