Global Health Matters

Building stronger health systems requires navigating an increasingly complex political and financial landscape. As global crises reshape health priorities and partnerships, how can countries strengthen their leadership and influence over the decisions that affect their populations? And how can international cooperation support sustainable health systems that reflect national priorities?
In this episode of Guiding Research, Dr Garry Aslanyan, Executive Producer and Host of the Global Health Matters podcast, speaks with Dr Ebere Okereke, global health physician and strategist, Associate Fellow at Chatham House and Honorary Affiliate of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore.
Together, they explore how shifts in geopolitics, financing and governance are reshaping global health, with a particular focus on Africa. The discussion considers how countries can strengthen their negotiating power, hold external partners accountable and translate health sovereignty into meaningful country leadership. It also examines pathways towards sustainable health financing as development assistance becomes increasingly uncertain, asking: how can global health partnerships better support country-led action?
In this episode
Politics, polycrises and changing global health dynamics
African leadership and health sovereignty
Country ownership, partnerships and accountability
Sustainable health financing
Reforming international health cooperation
This episode forms part of the Guiding Research podcast series, produced by Global Health Matters in collaboration with Health Systems Global (HSG). The series explores the themes of the Health Systems Research (HSR) 2026 Symposium and brings together leading voices in health policy and systems research.
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Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  

All content © 2026 Global Health Matters.

What did the World Health Summit 2026 reveal about the future of global health? Despite growing geopolitical tensions, funding challenges and uncertainty, the summit brought a renewed sense of optimism and determination to reshape global health. In this episode, host Garry Aslanyan is joined by Carsten Schicker, CEO of the World Health Summit, and Ilona Kickbusch, Co-Chair of the World Health Summit Council, to reflect on the conversations, emerging priorities and challenges that defined this year's gathering in Berlin. Together, they explore the importance of rebuilding trust, shifting from aid to investment, strengthening health sovereignty and partnerships, and engaging voices beyond the global health community.
Looking ahead to 2027, they consider what it will take to turn dialogue into meaningful action and build a more resilient and equitable global health future.
Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.

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 Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  
 
 All content © 2026 Global Health Matters.

The Accra Reset comes at a pivotal moment for global development, as external financing declines and countries are being urged to take greater ownership of their development priorities and financing decisions. But does less aid necessarily lead to greater sovereignty—or simply leave countries with fewer resources? Recorded live at the World Health Summit in Berlin, this episode looked beyond health to explore what the Reset means for education, food systems, climate, debt, trade, technology and local manufacturing and how these interconnected areas shape countries’ ability to build resilient, self-determined systems. Host Garry Aslanyan and recurring pundits  Catherine Kyobutungi and Ricardo Baptista Leite are joined by special guest Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. 
Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.

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 Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  
 
 All content © 2026 Global Health Matters.

Climate change is placing growing pressure on health systems around the world, but its impacts do not happen in isolation. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, climate risks intersect with water scarcity, conflict, instability and existing pressures on health services. How can health systems prepare for these challenges while continuing to meet the needs of communities today? And what will it take to move from identifying vulnerabilities to building systems that can adapt, respond and recover?
In this episode of Guiding Research, Amanda Quintana, climate and health technical specialist and researcher and co-chair of the Health Systems Global Thematic Working Group on Climate Resilient Sustainable Health Systems, speaks with Professor Mey Jurdi, Professor of Environmental Health at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut.
Together, they explore what climate resilience means for health systems across the MENA region and why climate change must be understood alongside the wider environmental, social and political context. The discussion highlights the importance of strengthening primary healthcare, managing resources effectively, engaging communities and ensuring that research is translated into policy and action. Professor Jurdi also reflects on why preparing for the future must begin today, stressing that sustainable change requires more than individual projects or short-term responses — it requires resilient institutions, coordinated action and long-term vision.
In this episode
Climate change and health systems in the MENA region
Climate-resilient and sustainable primary healthcare
Water scarcity, instability and interconnected health risks
Community engagement and effective resource management
Turning research and evidence into policy and action
This episode forms part of the Guiding Research podcast series, produced by Global Health Matters in collaboration with Health Systems Global (HSG). The series explores the themes of the Health Systems Research (HSR) 2026 Symposium and brings together leading voices in health policy and systems research.
* HSG’s involvement in the production of these podcast episodes was supported by IDRC.
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Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  

All content © 2026 Global Health Matters.

Childhood cancer is one of the most treatable cancers — in wealthy countries, more than 80% of children survive. Yet in much of the world, a child's chances depend not on the disease but on where they are born. In parts of Nigeria, a child with cancer may have only a 30% chance of survival. So what stands between children and the survival we know is possible? What does it take to deliver quality cancer care in a fragile setting? And how can access be widened beyond the medicines themselves? In this episode, host Garry Aslanyan explores these questions with two guests who bring deeply complementary perspectives. Dr Khaled Ghanem is a pediatric oncologist and medical director of the largest pediatric oncology unit in Syria, run in partnership with the NGO BASMA, which has sustained care and achieved a 76% survival rate, through years of war, earthquakes, and a pandemic. And joining him is Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, a pediatrician, founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation in Nigeria, and president-elect of the Union for International Cancer Control, who works to bring earlier diagnosis and affordable care to children and families across northern Nigeria.
Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.

Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. 
 
Follow us for updates:
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TDR on LinkedIn
@ghm_podcast on Instagram
@ghm-podcast.bsky.social on Bluesky
 
 Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization.  
 
 All content © 2026 Global Health Matters.