Radboud University Medical Center Global Health (RGH) is in the starting blocks. On November 25 in the Experience Center (1:00 PM – 5:30 PM) we will show what is happening at the intersection of care, research and education with partners worldwide. We asked one of the initiators, associate professor Dr. Quirijn de Mast, a number of questions.
What is Radboudumc Global Health (RGH) and why is this important now?
Table of Contents
- What is Radboudumc Global Health (RGH) and why is this important now?
- RGH stands for equality, reciprocity and sustainability. How do you see that?
- What makes the international Radboudumc approach distinctive?
- What does RGH deliver to us in concrete terms in Nijmegen?
- Who is the event on November 25 intended for and what can colleagues expect?
- Finally: where will RGH be in five years if it is up to you?
- Are you also coming on November 25? Sign up today!
- Do you want to know more?
‘RGH is our internal network that connects care, research and education with partners in low- and middle-income countries,’ says Quirijn de Mast, associate professor of Global Health and Travel Medicine. ‘The Radboud university medical center has a long tradition with, among others, KCMC in Tanzania and partners in Indonesia. In a rapidly changing and interconnected world, international cooperation is essential: for innovation, pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, but also on issues such as climate and non-communicable diseases. Anyone who does not build knowledge-driven networks now will soon lose quality and relevance. RGH helps us combine that strength.’
RGH stands for equality, reciprocity and sustainability. How do you see that?
‘Radboud university medical center opts for long-term partnerships, not for individual projects. We invest in relationships, infrastructure and talent development on both sides. As a result, we really learn from each other and the impact grows. What we used to call ‘capacity building’ is now reciprocal cooperation: everyone contributes to capacity and the result is better for everyone.’
What makes the international Radboudumc approach distinctive?
‘Three things: sustainable relationships, multidisciplinarity and integration of care, research and education. Of course, infectious diseases remain important, but the scope is broader: fertility, anesthesia, surgery and orthopedics, nutrition, psychiatry and neonatology are just examples of activities. Together with nurses and paramedics. We are building an academic network in Tanzania (KCMC, Muhimbili, Dodoma) and are also building this with Makerere in Uganda, among others. That breadth and patience makes the difference.’
What does RGH deliver to us in concrete terms in Nijmegen?
‘Very practical: working with scarce resources sharpens your clinical skills and prioritization. This is also relevant for the future of healthcare here. We see different disease presentations, develop intercultural competencies and gain unique research insights (e.g. lifestyle and nutritional transitions) that are also applicable to lifestyle diseases in the Netherlands. Students, AIOS and researchers take these skills with them throughout their careers.’
Who is the event on November 25 intended for and what can colleagues expect?
‘For everyone: doctors, researchers, nurses, students, staff. Many colleagues do not know how broad Global Health is. This event shows that. We start with a welcome speech by Prof. Jan Smit and me, followed by a keynote by Prof. Bruno Sunguya (Muhimbili University) about the value of African-European academic partnerships. This will be followed by short project pitches (including on fertility, nutrition, TB/infectious diseases, 3D applications, Global Sports, mental health, health economics) and a Global Health market to speak to colleagues and partners. It is accessible: come and listen, look around, ask questions and discover where you can join in.’
Finally: where will RGH be in five years if it is up to you?
‘As a recognizable network that knows everyone inside and outside Radboud university medical center. With strong, developed partnerships, a better balance in exchange (including incoming students and professionals) and a clear counter function for colleagues who want to work internationally. Global Health is then obviously part of our identity.’
Are you also coming on November 25? Sign up today!
Whether you already do something internationally or are just curious: RGH is for everyone!
- Radboud University Medical Center Global Health event, Tuesday November 25, 1:00 PM–5:30 PM, Experience Center
- Keynote: prof. Bruno Sunguya (MUHAS, Dar es Salaam)
- Global Health market: meet colleagues and partners, view project stands and immediately make new collaborative contacts. Are you just coming to take a look at the market? This starts at 3:30 PM and lasts until 5:00 PM.
Register for the Radboudumc Global Health event
Do you want to know more?
View the Global Health web page
