Melvin Agbogbatey on Advancing Ethical Global Health: Insights from Practice and the PGDip Experience

In 2024, as part of my ongoing commitment to promoting ethical, equitable, and impactful health solutions, I had the privilege of spearheading two transformative webinars under the Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research Group at KCCR, in partnership with The Global Health Network. These events addressed urgent global health challenges and were deeply inspired by the insights I gained from the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Global Health Research at the University of Oxford.

The first webinar, “Venom Connections: Bridging Global Insights and Local Solutions for Snakebite Envenoming,” spotlighted snakebite as a neglected tropical disease that continues to devastate rural and underserved communities. We brought together leading experts to explore critical issues such as gaps in treatment access, antivenom distribution, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding the allocation of resources to neglected conditions.

The second session, “Utility of Call Centers for Remote Follow-Up of Research Participants,” focused on improving research infrastructure in low-resource settings. We examined how call centers can be leveraged to boost participant retention, streamline study recruitment, and support long-term follow-up in clinical and community-based studies.

Both webinars were shaped by the PGDip’s strong emphasis on designing ethically sound studies, translating research into contextually relevant solutions, and addressing the broader societal impact of health interventions. This training continues to guide my work, helping me facilitate meaningful, inclusive discussions and contribute to global health initiatives that prioritize both scientific rigor and real-world relevance.

Dr. Melvin Agbogbatey

PgDip in Global Health Research Alumni Class of 2024