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Summary of the NIH International Representatives MeetingMarch 11, 2008
Dr. James Herrington, Director, Division of International Relations (DIR), NIH Fogarty International Center (FIC), welcomed the NIH IC representatives to the Stone House. He noted that copies of the latest FIC "Global Health Matters" newsletter and the FIC Division of International Relations Brief were available to meeting attendees. Dr. Herrington noted that Dr. Zerhouni met with European Union (EU) Commissioner Janez Potocnik in February to express concern about the EU's "Framework Program 7 (FP7)" which will provide approximately $7 billion for health research during 2007-2013. Dr. Zerhouni secured Mr. Potocnik's agreement to work towards allowing US scientists less constrictive access to applying for FP7 grants. An article in the journal Nature is expected in the near future to discuss this topic and provide greater details. Dr. Herrington introduced Mr. Paul Meyer, Co-founder, Chairman and President of Voxiva. Mr. Meyer was previously a Senior Fellow at the Markle Foundation, a Project Director at the International Rescue Committee, and Chief Operating Officer of the Endeavor Initiative. Moreover, from 1993 to 1995, Mr. Meyer served as one of President Clinton's speechwriters. He has a Law Degree from Yale University. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Global Public Health: Mr. Meyer provided an overview of "Voxiva" which he helped to co-found in 2001. Voxiva seeks to provide mobile-centric information solutions by using "the power of the internet through the reach of the phone." He noted that there are 3.3 billion mobile phones in the world, which is more than half the world's population. Mr. Meyer explained that Voxiva currently has 120 employees in 13 countries around the world and that Voxiva seeks to find solutions to allow clients to: collect data from the field in real time; analyze data to make informed decisions; and communicate and transact with a dispersed/distributed staff, clients and partners. He noted that Voxiva's focus sectors include: the health sector; the public sector; enterprises and mobile operators mainly in developing countries. He highlighted examples of the reach of the phone far exceeds that of the internet, particularly in developing countries, and so telephonic communications is where Voxiva focuses its efforts. Voxiva's efforts are aimed at promoting real-time two way information flow in which data entered via multiple devices in the field goes directly to a central server (and indeed sometime to Ministers of Health). Information is then immediately available at ever level and this allows for two-way information flow as well. Mr. Meyer provided several examples of Voxiva's solution finding success stories in the health sector in four areas: disease surveillance; health program management; patient monitoring and support and personal health. He also indicated that real-time communication solutions include Colombia, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Rwanda and Tanzania. He provided specific details on a Peruvian case study "Alerta DISAMAR" as well the "TRACnet System" in Rwanda and "CAREnet System" in Mexico. Mr. Meyer fielded questions from the attendees and also remained after the meeting to discuss with members of the FIC Information Communication Technologies Working Group areas of possible interest in ICT between NIH and Voxiva in developing countries. Fogarty International Center New Strategic Plan: Dr. Herrington introduced Dr. Linda Kupfer of FIC's Division of International Science Policy, Planning and Evaluation who provided an overview of FIC's recently adopted 2008-2011 Strategic Plan: "Pathways to Global Health Research." Dr. Kupfer noted that she had presented to the group on the outset of the development of the Strategic Plan and now was providing an overview of the completed plan. She explained that in-person consultation were held with 150 individuals from among FIC staff, the FIC Advisory Board, NIH IC Directors, NGO leaders, grantees, researchers and other research funding agencies. Moreover, the draft Strategic Plan received dozens or comments after it was posted on the FIC website for public comment. She noted that 85 responses were also received from abroad; 43 percent of which were from developing countries. Dr. Kupfer underscored that the new Strategic Plan helps identify FIC's goals of working to advance the NIH mission by supporting and facilitating global health research conducted by U.S. and international investigators, building partnerships between health research institutions in the U.S. and abroad and training the next generation of scientists to address global health needs. The Plan aims to focus FIC activities in 5 areas:
Next Meeting: Tentatively set for Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at 1 p.m. in the NIH Stone House. Attendance: Archives of Past IC Reps Meetings
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