Global health challenges in focus when WHO Regional Director for Europe visited Uppsala University
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Niclas Jacobson (Head, Division for EU and International Affairs, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs), Hans Kluge (WHO regional director for Europe), Björn Eriksson (Director General, National Board of Health and Welfare,) Olivia Wigzell (Director General, Public health Agency), Karin Tegmark Wisell (Ambassador for Global health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and Soorej Jose Puthoopparambil (Senior Lecturer).
Last week marked the Doctoral Degree Conferment Ceremony, celebrating this year’s honorary and newly graduated doctors. One of the 14 honorary doctors was awarded to Dr Hans Kluge, Regional Director for WHO Europe. In an engaging and forward-looking lecture, Dr Kluge reflected on today’s major global health challenges and underscored the opportunities that persist despite geopolitical tensions and rapid changes in public health.
Discussions on future collaboration in global health
During his visit, Dr Kluge participated in several meetings organised by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Migration and Health Data and Evidence at the Department of Women's and Children's Health, led by Soorej Jose Puthoopparambil, senior lecturer at the Department of Women's and Children's Health.
The discussions were attended by Anders Hagfeldt (Vice-Chancellor), Mats Larhed (Vice-Chancellor for Medicine and Pharmacy), Karin Forsberg Nilsson (Dean of the Faculty of Medicine), Arja Harila (Head of Department), and Professors Alkistis Skalkidou, Önver Cetrez, Josef Järhult and Olof Åslund (UUniFI Migration). The meetings were also attended by Karin Tegmark Wisell (Swedish Ambassador for Global Health), Olivia Wigzell (Director General, Public Health Agency of Sweden), Björn Eriksson (Director General, National Board of Health and Welfare) and Niclas Jacobson (Head, Division for EU and International Affairs, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs).
Discussions focused on how cooperation between WHO Collaborating Centres and Uppsala University can be further strengthened. Specific areas highlighted included antimicrobial resistance, mental health, sexual and reproductive health, prevention of violence against women and girls, and health issues related to refugees and migrants.
Opportunities for deeper international collaboration were also discussed, particularly between Uppsala University, Sweden, and WHO/Europe with partners around the world, including in Africa (Cluster of Research Excellence (CoRE) in Migration & Health), to address some of the most pressing global health challenges.
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Hans Kluge, regiondirektör för WHO Europa, Soorej Jose Puthoopparambil, Universitetslektor och studenter från masterprogrammen Global hälsa, Infektionsbiologi och Folkhälsa
Meeting with students – a valued part of the visit
A highlight during the visit was when Dr Kluge met students from the master's programmes in global health, infection biology and public health. He shared experiences from his long career at the WHO and answered questions about the organisation's priorities and its work to improve health in a increasingly polarised world.
“A truly memorable and motivating visit that further emphasises the importance of evidence, collaboration, the role of academia and global solidarity in the work to strengthen global health,” summarises Soorej Jose Puthoopparambil.