The Race Across the Pond Initiative is hosting the “Women of Color in the Healthcare System Series,” beginning with the first event: COVID-19: Equality and Equity in Access to Vaccines Globally, featuring:
Moderator: Laëtitia K. Diatezua is a Public Health and Biosecurity Expert, specializing in Surveillance Infectious Disease and outbreak preparedness. She supported more than a dozen global health security, AMR, and HIV/AIDS programs in the African Continent and the Middle East region and conducted over 30 STEM workshops in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Central Europe regions that promoted gender equality and empowerment. Since the beginning of the pandemic crisis, Laëtitia has authored several publications and podcasts on COVID-19, most recently on its impact of on migrant populations in Africa, in partnerships with WCAPS and the African Platform for Migration and Inclusion in Health (APMIH).
Speaker: Omari A. Jones, MS, is a senior experienced Microbiologist and Public Health Expert. As a driven scientist, Omari has played various roles in laboratories supporting the development of novel antibiotics, vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies. His research contributions have led to 10 peer-reviewed publications in immunology, pneumonia, sepsis and supported the development of two novel pathogen-specific therapies that are currently in Phase-2 clinical trials. Omari is an infectious disease consultant and has a strong drive to utilize his knowledge to improve global health.
Speaker: Dr. Mellany Murgor is a Medical Doctor. She serves as the NCD Focal Person for the United Nations Major Group For Children and Youth, and as African Director for the Young Professional Chronic Disease Network (YP-CDN). Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, she has been working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response in Kenya where she has seen firsthand how this crisis has exposed the vast inequalities in accessing quality health care across Africa and the impact it has on the lives of people living with Non-Communicable Diseases.
Speaker: Rumbidzai Ndungwani is a Public Health Expert with 15 years of experience in helping governments across Africa (Sierra Leone, Mozambique, Eswatini, Botswana & Zimbabwe) strengthen their health systems. Her focus areas are Vaccines and Laboratory Diagnostics supply chain systems. Additionally, she supports Ministries of Health, develops policies, and implements strategies. Currently, she leads a vaccine data and supply chain project in Sierra Leone. Rumbi holds two MSc degrees in Biomedical Sciences and Public Health among other qualifications. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Health. What drives Rumbi is the need to see positive change on the last mile! When she is not working, she enjoys mentoring young people & students, traveling, and cooking.
The WCAPS Race Across the Pond Initiative invites you for a timely discussion on COVID-19 vaccines and healthcare. The COVID-19 vaccine production and distribution is underway across the world. But how is access to the vaccines unfolding outside "Global North" countries? Join leading experts and practitioners who will discuss vaccine access for women and men of color globally, the vaccines in circulation, and the barriers faced by some countries in both accessing these vaccines and distributing them once received.