The 2024 call for IHP Correspondents was released as part of the IHP Network initiative to provide an opportunity to young researchers and other change agents from different regions and continents to contribute to the global health policy & HPSR discourse and participate in setting the agenda, by sharing their ideas and opinions in the form of blogs and featured articles. There are 5 correspondents in total this year.
Elizabeth Irungu is a medical doctor with a master's in public health (HS-DC orientation). She’s an elected board member of Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Center Brussels. Elizabeth is a keen learner with curiosity and interest in medical anthropology incorporation in clinical medicine practice, geared towards evidence-informed medicine; an aspiring Implementation Science Guru with the willingness to embrace complexities of health policy and systems research methodology; and also a sexual and reproductive health advocate, with an appreciation for diverse ethnographic differences among clients, health care staff as well as health systems. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Dr Keerty Nakray (PhD) is an academic, researcher, administrator, and author specialising in the sustainable development goals (SDGs); the environment, social governance; diversity, equality, and inclusion; comparative welfare and social policies; gender and social policy; and children and disability. She has edited and authored over 40 evidence-based publications on a wide variety of those topics. She is currently heading ORESP (Organisation of Research on Social Policy), and is based in India.
Nitesh Lohan is a research officer at Environment Technology & Community Health (ETCH) (Haryana, India) with over three years of experience in disaster management. During this time, she has worked with various organisations involved in disaster relief, risk management, environmental protection, health care, and climate change. She has conducted interviews for the COVID-19 Awareness Radio Programme, fire safety, psychological first aid, WASH, waste management, and other projects in risk management. She has planned and initiated research study protocols, monitored regulatory and subject binders, and organised, implemented, and administered data collection and analysis systems. She has advised and supported staff on the legal parameters of research and conducted risk assessments for research where applicable.
Omar Elsayed, a.k.a. Omar Makram, is a physician-scientist in training with a research focus on population health science and cardio-oncology. With a medical background and an MPH from LSHTM, Omar's research explores the impact of SDOH & environmental factors on cardiovascular health outcomes. He is passionate about leveraging big health data for health policy improvement and enhancing cardiovascular health. Stay updated on his work by following him on Twitter (@OelsayedMD) and connecting with him on LinkedIn.
Rizka Ayu Setyani is a lecturer and midwife from Indonesia, and the founder of SEKOCI (Sekolah Komplementer Cinta Ibu). As a book author, consultant, and trainer, she is recognised for her expertise in women's issues and HIV/AIDS, holding memberships in the International AIDS Society (IAS) and Emerging Voices for Global Health 2022. In her research, Rizka focuses on global health, health systems, maternal child health, and sexual and reproductive health. Connect with her on LinkedIn.