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From August 17–24, GHTC—in partnership with our member the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)—hosted six US Congressional staff on a learning trip to Uganda. The staff represent Senate offices serving on key committees of jurisdiction over global health research and development (R&D) policy and funding. Uganda is a hub for cutting-edge scientific research and is a critical partner of the United States on shared global health research objectives. Long-standing partnerships between universities in the United States and Uganda have produced lifesaving global health tools and trained a new generation of researchers and clinicians, building the capacity of Uganda and neighboring countries in the region to discover solutions to mitigate their most pressing health challenges. Clinical research sites in Uganda have hosted trials that have resulted in new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for disease threats that affect populations in both countries, such as HIV and AIDS, and informed global treatment and prevention guidelines. Continued scientific partnership, nourished by US investments through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US Agency for International Development (USAID), Department of Defense, and other agencies, is critical to advance progress against long-standing health threats and prepare for the unknown pathogens of the future.Check out a tweet-by-tweet recap of the week:Day 1: The US-Uganda Research Partnership Our first stop on the @GHTCoalition/@IAVI congressional staff learning tour was the US Embassy, where we learned how US investments through USAID, CDC, NIH, DoD, and more have helped Uganda become a leader in global health R&D—saving lives and building scientific capacity. 🔬🌍— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 19, 2019 Next, we visited the Ugandan Public Health Emergency Operations Center, which—with critical support from partners like @CDCgov—has responded to more than 70 outbreaks and public health events since it was founded, modeled on the EOC at CDC HQ in Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/oEMiVfG9CB— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 19, 2019 We were grateful to meet with officials from the Ugandan Ministry of Health to hear their perspective on the US-Uganda partnership and how R&D can strengthen health systems, advance sustainability, and accelerate the journey to self-reliance. 🇺🇸🇺🇬— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 19, 2019 Day 1 of the @ghtcoalition/@IAVI congressional staff learning trip ended with a reception hosted by @USAmbUganda to celebrate all that has been achieved by the US-Uganda partnership on global health R&D and all the future holds! 🇺🇸🇺🇬 pic.twitter.com/Kvn7QQJbps— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 19, 2019 Day 2: Global Health R&D in Action We learned about the continuous cycle of global health research—from defining the problem to implementing and scaling up a new solution, informed at every step by robust community and stakeholder engagement. A site like MUJHU is often running several studies simultaneously. pic.twitter.com/T9fZgEQb8k— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 20, 2019 Over 10,000 women have been enrolled in HIV prevention trials at MUJHU. Results from these studies, supported by NIH and CDC, have directly informed WHO policies and made an incredible global impact. Our congressional staff guests learned so much about the impact of R&D at MUJHU!— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 20, 2019 Over 25,000 people have participated in clinical trials and field studies at the clinic, including phase I, II, and III clinical trials of new treatments and vaccines for TB and HIV-TB. The clinic has been a major site for the CDC-sponsored TB Trials Consortium for 15 years. pic.twitter.com/ujbNVEam27— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 21, 2019 We heard directly from a former research participant about the impact of TB R&D and how her experience at UCRC made her an advocate and educator in her community. She encourages everyone experiencing symptoms of TB to seek care at the clinic. pic.twitter.com/E4FNYf529o— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 21, 2019 Our last site visit of the day was @IDIMakerere, a powerhouse for infectious disease research, training, and treatment in Uganda. The Institute has over 100 current research projects ongoing and 1,000 full-time staff whose work is supported by a variety of USG partners.— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 21, 2019 We heard short presentations from several young investigators—rising research stars whose work is shaping the understanding and response to leading infectious disease threats. pic.twitter.com/zAilpSSvo7— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 21, 2019 Our congressional staff guests had a blast testing out this cutting-edge technology and imagining the possibilities of how VR can contribute to global health R&D. pic.twitter.com/s0iMWZh8cs— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 21, 2019 Day 3: African-led Science Driving Innovation @UVRIug is one of the oldest research institutions in the region and had made many important discoveries in global health, including isolating the Zika virus as well as viruses including Chikungunya, West Nile, and many more—recently, close to one virus a year!— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 21, 2019 We ended our @UVRIug tour at the brand-new Anthropod Containment Level 2 insectary where research will be conducted to develop new tools to tackle malaria. We suited up according to the highest biosafety standards! 🦟 pic.twitter.com/bxtwReRYue— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 21, 2019 The ongoing HPTN-084 trial @UVRI_IAVI is conducting in fishing communities around Entebbe—the first large-scale clinical trial of a long-acting injectable medication for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in women—would be a game-changer for HIV prevention.— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 24, 2019 After the presentation, our delegation was honored to receive a plaque recognizing the support of the American people for global health research & development in Uganda. pic.twitter.com/QIYpMYgd99— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 24, 2019 Day 4: Community Partnerships Driving Research Progress We spent Day 4 of the @GHTCoalition/@IAVI congressional learning trip visiting fishing communities on Lake Victoria where @UVRI_IAVI leads clinical programs and conducts incredible research on HIV prevention.— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 29, 2019 Onboard, @UVRI_IAVI’s community engagement officer oriented us to the lake and the islands we would be visiting—Kimi and Nsadzi. pic.twitter.com/hpfMlqqJkm— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 29, 2019 We then met with members of the local Community Advisory Board in a small church (to escape a ferocious rainstorm!) to learn more about how community members are engaged in research efforts. pic.twitter.com/LB1bNTSGgc— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 29, 2019 In our tour of Nsadzi, we learned more about ongoing research projects as well as the integrated HIV treatment and care at the health clinic. The visit helped us understand the linkages between R&D for new tools and implementation of existing tools through partners like @PEPFAR. pic.twitter.com/OjMfqNb0Qo— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 29, 2019 Such collaborations increase access to HIV services for a population that otherwise would have limited access to care. This is one critical reason global health R&D is so important!— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 29, 2019 Day 5: A Birds’ Eye View of the Impact of Global Health R&D We started with a visit to the Zika Forest—a protected field research station of @UVRIug. Home to more than 40 types of mosquitoes 🦟, the RNA of Zika Virus was isolated by researchers at the site in 1947, hence its name. pic.twitter.com/u1998vHebt— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 29, 2019 Inside the forest, we peered up at the 120-foot observation and mosquito-baiting tower and learned about all of ground-breaking arbovirus research enabled by the structure over the decades. pic.twitter.com/L2H11LabSD— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 29, 2019 We toured an HPTN 084 satellite clinic to learn how trial participants are enrolled in the study and better understand all of the partnerships that enable @UVRI_IAVI to positively impact the health of the communities where they work. pic.twitter.com/K5c1w8b52g— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 29, 2019 Inside the clinic, I got to take a very “That NTD Girl” photo in front of a praziquantel dosing pole—a key tool in the fight against the NTD schistosomiasis (locally known as bilharzia), a major health challenge in communities around Lake Victoria. 💊💊💊 pic.twitter.com/4v1X6V8En3— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 29, 2019 The other incredibly powerful part of our week—meeting researchers! Often, we talk about research and development like a noun—a thing that just happens. It’s very much a verb: a process, a series of steps that build to the discovery, refinement, and delivery of life-saving tools.— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 29, 2019 Thanks to:@USAmbUganda Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research CollaborationUganda-Case Western Reserve University Research Collaboration@IDIMakerere & @AceUganda @UVRIug @UVRI_IAVI and of course, the congressional staff who spent a week learning with us!!— Emily Conron (@thatNTDgirl) August 29, 2019 The learning trip was an incredible experience that we hope will be a resource for our Congressional staff guests as they consider the US government’s role in improving global health, in particular through investments in R&D for new tools like drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for use in low-resource settings. 

For over five decades, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has supported the development, introduction, and scale up of urgently-needed health technologies as a critical part of its mission to advance global health and development. To reflect on USAID’s decades of work in global health innovation and how continued efforts will be vital to moving countries along the journey to self-reliance, GHTC held a dialogue in early August featuring USAID Chief of Staff Bill Steiger, as well as representatives from USAID’s Global Health Bureau and nonprofit and private sector partners.Here are some of our favorite observations and insights from the discussion:BILL STEIGER ON HOW HEALTH INNOVATION IS CENTRAL TO USAID’S MISSIONDr. Bill Steiger, @USAID Chief of Staff, says the success of USAID depends on innovation. @USAIDGH's resources have reached a plateau and they must learn to do more with the same amount of resources, and that means being more innovative. #innovate4health pic.twitter.com/I1ngkhgrc4— Cassie Kobrin (@CassieKobrin) August 14, 2019 Chief of Staff Bill Steiger says @USAID looks at innovation in 4 ways: 1️⃣offerings 2️⃣delivery3️⃣process4️⃣innovative finance #Innovate4health pic.twitter.com/FIBZ6VjXwT— PATH Advocacy (@PATHadvocacy) August 14, 2019 “#GlobalHealth is our largest bureau. It’s 40% of what we do. It’s the most innovative and #data driven of all of our organizing units.” - Dr. Bill Steiger, @USAID Chief of Staff, on how health innovation at USAID is advancing the journey to self-reliance. #innovate4health pic.twitter.com/F1SjiZuCXU— USAID Global Health (@USAIDGH) August 14, 2019 “We are a risk averse organization and we need our stakeholders to tell us to take a risk. Our core business is that we give away money. We need to get better at it & more innovative about it.”- @USAID’s Dr. Bill Steiger on #globalhealth at @GHTCoalition. #innovate4health pic.twitter.com/HcthEvVwDV— Lippi (@lippidoshi) August 14, 2019 @USAIDGH is willing to take more risks, expanding how we work with the private sector to involve co-creation at the front-end and use blended finance vehicles, CoS Bill Steiger #Innovate4Health— Innovation & Impact (@CIIimpact) August 14, 2019 @USAID Chief of Staff Bill Steiger notes that #globalhealth R&D is critical to the journey of self-reliance and the importance of making innovations more affordable and more widely available. #Innovate4Health pic.twitter.com/9x1C95xeqz— GHTC (@GHTCoalition) August 14, 2019 One of @USAIDGH's goals is to deliver technical expertise to countries and partner with them on their #JourneyToSelfReliance. - Dr. Bill Steiger, Chief of Staff, @USAID #innovate4health— Heather Ignatius (@HeatherIgnatius) August 14, 2019 INSIGHTS FROM OUR PANELISTS ON THE CHALLENGES & PROMISE OF HEALTH INNOVATION The panel discussion featured Renuka Gadde, Vice President of Global Health at BD; Meghan Majorowski, Senior Advisor at USAID’s Center for Innovation and Impact; Dr. Zeda Rosenberg, founder and CEO of the International Partnership for Microbicides; Dr. Mel Spigelman, President and CEO of TB Alliance; and Dr. Monique Wubbenhorst, Deputy Assistant Administrator in the USAID Bureau for Global Health. Two points from Dr. Wunbbenhorst of @USAIDGH that resonated with me:1️⃣We’re talking about innovation & tech in the service of human beings.2️⃣Innovation in development is a long game. Bc USAID isn’t in biz of making a profit, it can support long innovation.#innovate4health— Lippi (@lippidoshi) August 14, 2019 Excited by @GHCoalition's panel discussion which included...Dr. Monique Wubbenhorst, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Global Health, USAID. Sidebar: Presentation truly motivated me to learn more about SLAB - Saving Lives at Birth. #Innovate4Health pic.twitter.com/h1HnN3mI4d— Sally S. Cherry, BS, MT-ASCP (@CherryNetwork) August 14, 2019 Meghan Majorowski of @USAID’s @CIIimpact talks about how the center taps into the expertise of the private sector to address #globalhealth challenges with innovation. #Innovate4Health pic.twitter.com/UiialUzOre— GHTC (@GHTCoalition) August 14, 2019 "We can do more with less if we are willing to invest in innovation". Mel Spigelman, President & CEO of @TBAlliance highlighting the importance of advancing R&D in a time of constrained resources. #Innovate4Health pic.twitter.com/3LiEL7Wy6T— Philip Kenol (@Phil_kenol88) August 14, 2019 Renuka Gadde, VP of #GlobalHealth @BDandCo, highlights the company’s partnership with @USAID and the importance of collaboration with the agency to develop lifesaving innovations. #Innovate4Health pic.twitter.com/BOq4tDdOVN— GHTC (@GHTCoalition) August 14, 2019 “@GCDSavingLives does spark innovations but they’re complex. We need to think abt scale. If they were simple, private companies would have chased them. Scale is not about pilots, it’s about mothers & children’s access wherever they are.” - Renuka Gadde @BDandCo #innovate4health pic.twitter.com/u4mkF77ntT— Lippi (@lippidoshi) August 14, 2019 “Times lost are lives lost. Need to be ways to fast track product development.” - Renuka Gadde @BDandCo on harmonization of countries for regulatory processes #innovate4health— Lippi (@lippidoshi) August 14, 2019 Our CEO Zeda Rosenberg on hearing from empowered research center staff and role of @USAIDGH capacity building support at #innovate4health pic.twitter.com/hyruqcI3Tc— IPM (@IPMicrobicides) August 14, 2019 To learn more about health innovation at USAID, check out GHTC’s latest report. It examines how USAID’s investments in global health innovation are an essential enabled in accelerating partner countries along the journey to self-reliance and provides actionable recommendations to the Administration and Congress to maximize the impact of USAID’s health research and development activities.