Funding the future
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced its largest annual budget of $8.6 billion for 2024, a four percent increase over the previous year. With a focus on global health innovations, the funding aims to save lives in low-income communities, particularly newborns and pregnant mothers. Amid declining global health budgets, the foundation plans to increase annual spending to $9 billion by 2026. Bill Gates emphasizes the importance of addressing health inequities, showcasing innovations such as an AI-enabled ultrasound and a one-dose HPV vaccine. The foundation believes that, with proper funding, such innovations can reduce maternal deaths by forty percent in the lowest-income countries by the end of the decade and drive down preventable child deaths.
Teen health hub
The Washington State Department of Health partnered with teens and young adults from around the state to develop the Teen Health Hub WA web page. This new site provides reliable responses to vital health inquiries and trustworthy information for young individuals. Accessible and supportive, the Teen Health Hub WA can be a go-to resource for credible and compassionate health guidance tailored to the needs of young people.
Innovative advancements
UW Medicine has unveiled five of the most exciting and groundbreaking medical advancements of 2023. Ranging from innovative transplant procedures to novel dental treatments and cutting-edge technologies, these breakthroughs offer transformative possibilities in health care, addressing critical issues and pushing the boundaries of medical science.
Aid for Gaza
In response to the war in Gaza, International Medical Corps deployed a field hospital to provide essential medical care to civilians affected by the conflict. This field hospital in southern Gaza offers services such as surgical care, physical rehabilitation, emergency obstetric and newborn care, mental health services, and more. With support from USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance and other donors, the organization aims to restore access to health services in a severely compromised health care infrastructure. Read more about the work they are doing in Gaza and how you can provide support.
Global health insights
Wake up to global health insights! On January 31 at 7 am, the Global Health Innovation XCHANGE is hosting its first virtual event, addressing global health innovation in practice. Ricardo Silva, Vice President at the Foundation for Living, Wellness, and Health, will begin the presentation and then moderate a panel discussion with:
Rebecca Milner, Chief Advancement Officer at International Medical Corps
Sudesh Sivarasu, DSI/NRF South African Research Chair in Biomedical Engineering & Innovation at University of Cape Town and Director of the UCT Biomedical Engineering Research Centre
Jitendra Sharma, Managing Director and CEO of Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone Limited (AMTZ)
We hope to see you at this Zoom event! Registration closes on January 29 at 2 pm.
Xchanging ideas
We're thrilled to launch the Global Health Innovation Fund Ticket (GHIFT)—a funding initiative between the Global Health Innovation XCHANGE (hosted by Washington Global Health Alliance, Seattle, USA) and Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone Limited (AMTZ), Visakhapatnam, India. This groundbreaking initiative provides crucial funding assistance to Innovator Members of the XCHANGE with promising innovations in health technology. Managed jointly by WGHA and AMTZ, GHIFT is here to turn visionary ideas into tangible solutions to decrease the global burden of disease.
Additionally, we are now accepting applications for 2024 XCHANGE membership! Ready to be part of the forefront of health care innovation? Join the Global Health Innovation XCHANGE, a dynamic community uniting visionary organizations, innovators, and funders, all collaborating to drive innovation forward.
Around the community
Jan. 31: Register now for a Global Health Innovation XCHANGE webinar on global health innovation in practice. This free event begins with a presentation by Ricardo Silva followed by a moderated panel discussion.
Feb. 27: Visit the Discovery Center at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to see their new exhibition, “A Better Way to Go: Toilets and the Future of Sanitation.” RSVP to attend the opening celebration on Feb. 27 from 5 to 7 pm.
Mar. 23: Save the date for The Max Foundation’s annual Maximize Life Gala! This year, they are celebrating the courage and strength of people living with cancer and the hard work and dedication of the surrounding community, including medical professionals, loved ones, and caretakers. Join them for an engaging cocktail hour and silent auction, followed by a three-course dinner. You won’t want to miss this event