Gavi [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.gavialliance.org/library/news/press-releases/

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30 June 2016
Gavi Board reappoints WHO’s Flavia Bustreo as vice-chair
Board also confirms appointment of four new members and two alternates.
Geneva, 30 June 2016 – Dr Flavia Bustreo, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Family, Women’s and Children’s Health, has been reappointed as Vice-Chair of the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Dr Bustreo has held the role since January 2015, and is also the chair of the Governance Committee.

Dr Bustreo has been instrumental in the early stages of the implementation of Gavi’s 2016-2020 strategy, which aims to support developing countries to immunise a further 300 million children against life threatening diseases, leading to 5 to 6 million lives being saved…

The Gavi Board also approved the following appointments:
:: Irene Koek of the United States as Board Member representing the United States
:: Helen Rees as an Unaffiliated Board Member
:: Ramjanam Chaudhary, Minister for Health and Population, Nepal, representing the developing country constituency
:: David Loew, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sanofi Pasteur, as a Board Member representing the vaccine industry industrialised countries

Additionally, the Board approved the reappointment of Donal Brown of the United Kingdom as Board Member representing the United Kingdom.

The following Alternate Board Members were also appointed
:: Jason Lane of the United Kingdom as Alternate Board Member to Donal Brown
:: Bounkong Syhavong, Minister of Health, Lao PDR, as Alternate Board Member to Ramjanam Chaudhary

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26 May 2016
Gavi welcomes price trend for pentavalent vaccine
Latest price information published by UNICEF.
Geneva, 26 May 2016 – Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance welcomes the continued trend of decreasing prices for five-in-one pentavalent vaccine. Prices for pentavalent doses to be supplied to Gavi-supported countries over the next two years have been published by UNICEF following the completion of the first stage of a multi-stage tender.

The pentavalent vaccine protects against five major infections in one shot: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib). It remains a cornerstone of Gavi’s immunisation efforts and is the first vaccine to have been introduced into the routine immunisation systems of all Gavi-supported countries.

Between 2000 and 2015, more than 200 million children living in the world’s poorest countries were protected with the pentavalent vaccine. Gavi estimates that investment in pentavalent vaccination between 2011 and 2020 will avert 5.6 million deaths.

In recent years the pentavalent market has become highly competitive – and more stable – through an increasing number of prequalified vaccines, new vaccine presentations, and production capacity that now exceeds aggregate demand. This increasing competition and the high level of predictable demand from Gavi-supported countries have contributed to a decreasing pricing trend.

Through this tender Gavi seeks to cultivate a healthy vaccine market to ensure that the supply of high-quality, affordable vaccines meets demand and that the developing countries’ needs are fully met through continued innovation. The tender also aims to preserve long-term market competition with multiple suppliers and to achieve low and sustainable prices for developing countries, including those that have transitioned from Gavi support. See UNICEF Request for Proposal section 2.2. for full description of tender objectives.

The multi-phase tender covers the three year period 2017 to 2019. It is an innovative procurement method for vaccines where manufacturers are invited to submit offers and are awarded volumes in phases, with UNICEF publishing prices after finalisation of each phase. The first phase of the tender is now complete, resulting in UNICEF – as the procuring body – awarding a large portion of the forecasted volume in 2017 as well as a portion of volumes in 2018. The second phase will commence in June, when all manufacturers who took part in the first phase of the tender will be able to re-submit offers. At the end of the second phase of the tender UNICEF and Gavi will have a clear picture on whether the full tender objectives for the first 2 years of supply have been met.

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26 May 2016
Gavi welcomes contribution of US$ 76 million from Government of Japan
New multi-year commitment will help Vaccine Alliance partners towards goal of immunising 300m children by 2020.

Global Fund [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/?topic=&type=NEWS;&country=

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27 June 2016
Italy Makes Strong Commitment to Global Fund
ROME – The Government of Italy announced today a pledge of €130 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for the three-year period beginning in 2017, highlighting Italy’s leadership in global health.

The commitment, an increase of 30 percent over Italy’s last contribution of €100 million, is a strong signal as the Global Fund prepares for a Replenishment conference in September. With the support of countries like Italy, the Global Fund is accelerating the end of the three diseases while building resilient and sustainable systems for health.

“For Italy, these three epidemics are a cause and a consequence of poverty,” said Benedetto Della Vedova, Under-secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. “It is very important that the Global Fund remains on track to reach 22 million lives saved by the end of 2016. Italy is at the forefront alongside the Global Fund, both politically and financially.

Taking decisive action means putting a strong focus on human rights and on the vulnerable groups most affected by the diseases, starting with children, women and girls. Italy’s International Cooperation strongly supports the Global Fund’s commitment to promote gender equality and access to health for all, without discrimination.”…

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26 June 2016
France Pledges €1.08 billion to Global Fund
PARIS – The Government of France announced today it will contribute €1.08 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for the three-year period beginning in 2017, demonstrating strong leadership in global health.

France is the second leading donor to the Global Fund, and has consistently played a pioneering role in scientific research, promoting human rights and serving people affected by HIV. The new pledge, which represents a sustained commitment of France’s previous support, represents a significant contribution to the Global Fund’s three-year replenishment.

“This contribution demonstrates the strong commitment of France in the fight against pandemics and to strengthen health systems, especially in African countries,” the announcement said.

France has contributed more than €3.8 billion to the Global Fund since it was established in 2002 to accelerate the end of the epidemics…

InterAction [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.interaction.org/media-center/press-releases

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Jun 30, 2016
InterAction Agriculture & Food Security Resources and Reports
Globally, almost 800 million people are hungry, and malnutrition causes half of all deaths of children under the age of 5 (nearly 3 million). Hunger and malnutrition rob women and men of healthy, productive lives, and stunt the mental and physical development of future generations. This underscores the importance of agricultural development and food and nutrition security programs in vulnerable countries. Investments in food and nutrition security and agricultural development can act as engines of economic growth and reduced poverty, directly addressing the root cause of acute hunger and malnutrition.

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Jun 27, 2016
InterAction: Online Tool Provides Analysis on FY2017 U.S. Foreign Operations Budget Priorities
WASHINGTON – Congressional leaders are working to finalize the U.S. State and Foreign Operations Budget for FY2017 with a mark-up in the Senate Appropriations State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, June 28 and full Senate Appropriations…

The Sphere Project [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.sphereproject.org/news/

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24 June 2016 | Sphere Project
How standards help humanitarian actors do the right things and do them well
Humanitarian standards help governments, communities and the humanitarian system at large put people affected by crisis or conflict at the centre of humanitarian response, but not without challenges. After decades of improvements within the sector, it is time to renew a collective commitment towards quality and accountability.

ODI [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.odi.org/media

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Press release | 1 July 2016
G20 fossil fuel subsidies will undermine the Paris climate agreement
G20 energy ministers, meeting in China, have put in jeopardy the UN climate agreement drawn up in Paris last year by refusing to set a date for ending fossil fuel subsidies.

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Press release | 29 June 2016
300,000 new jobs if western Africa invests in fisheries industry – new report
Investigation reveals development benefits of investment in western Africa’s maritime industry

World Economic Forum [to 2 July 2016]
https://agenda.weforum.org/news/
Selected Media Releases

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News 28 Jun 2016
The Global Economy is Failing 35% of the World’s Talent
:: The Human Capital Report 2016 finds that globally only 65% of the world’s talent is being optimized through education, skills development and deployment during people’s lifetimes
:: Finland, Norway and Switzerland hold the top spots, utilizing around 85% of their human capital. Japan leads when it comes to 55 year-olds and over
:: Report aims to assess how public and private sector investments in education and skills can best prepare workforces for the future and how big data and the gig economy might drive greater opportunity for workers
Download the full report here
[See Week in Review above for more detail]

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News 27 Jun 2016
Technology Pioneers Are Mixing Latest Technologies to Kickstart the Next Wave of Industry Disruption
:: The World Economic Forum today announced its list of the 30 most promising Technology Pioneers 2016, including fintech provider Blockchain, collaboration tool Slack and market trend visualizer Quid.
:: Other awarded pioneers blend existing innovations like drones, 3D printing and the Internet of Things to create real-world solutions in fields such as health, food, energy, IT and finance
:: 70 per cent of the recognized pioneers come from the US, a sign of the country’s continued strength in innovation; other nominees come from Canada, France, Israel, Luxembourg and Sweden

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News 27 Jun 2016
Blockchain a Game Changer for the Future of Financial Transactions
Tianjin, People’s Republic of China, 27 June 2016 – Unlocking blockchain will be a game-changer for the future of financial transactions, noted panellists in a session on the innovative digital ledger today at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2016 in Tianjin.
“Blockchain will revolutionize banking and financial services as we know it,” acknowledged Pierre Gramegna, Minister of Finance of Luxembourg, “I think it is possible that blockchain will replace the word ‘internet’. By the time our children have children, the only time they will see the word ‘internet’ is in science and history books.”
“Some say that blockchain is the new internet of the financial world,” pointed out Axel Lehmann, Group Chief Operating Officer and Member of the Group Executive Board, UBS Group, Switzerland.
Blockchain is a secure ledger database made up of data blocks that are shared by all users in an established, continually evolving platform. For financial organizations, blockchain allows for faster processing time, lower costs, fewer intermediaries, greater market insight and increased transparency and compliance…

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.hiltonfoundation.org/news

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Press Release
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Awards Close to $23 Million in Grants in the Second Quarter of 2016
June 27, 2016 By Julia Friedman
(LOS ANGELES) June 27, 2016– The board of directors of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation announced today that it approved $22.9 million in grants during the second quarter of 2016…

Grants in the second quarter of 2016 were awarded to 13 organizations spanning across the Hilton Foundation’s priority areas, including organizations serving the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people both in the U.S. and internationally….

Grameen Foundation [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.grameenfoundation.org/news-events/press-room

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06/30/2016
Using Electronic Payments to Expand Financial Inclusion in Colombia
:: Government officials, NGOs and financial and technology companies convene to expand financial inclusion for rural poor
:: Experts highlight potential of digital technology to help meet crucial need for banking services among millions of small-scale farmers
government met today at the event “Taking Digital Payments to the Last Mile” to explore opportunities to expand electronic payments in the Colombian rural sector.

The aim is to accelerate efforts to enable farmers to use digital technology to access and use a broad range of financial services that can help them improve their livelihoods and their families’ lives.

”Financial exclusion limits growth and development in rural areas of Colombia. The problem lies in that a large part of this population does not rely on banking services. However, many of these people have a mobile phone, which has the potential to deliver financial services to reach this sector,” explained Marcela Carrasco, President of MasterCard for Colombia and Ecuador.

In Colombia more than 12 million of people depend on agriculture, of which only a minority are banked. In this context, the challenge consists of finding a viable channel for this population to access financial services, while ensuring comfort and confidence for users.

“Improving access to financial services in poor, rural communities is essential to reducing poverty and boosting Colombia’s economic growth. Colombia has made significant progress in expanding the use of digitally-based financial services in urban areas and must ensure that rural communities are part of that transformation, said Fernado Henao Velasaco, Grameen Foundation’s County Director for Colombia….

Kellogg Foundation [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.wkkf.org/news-and-media#pp=10&p=1&f1=news

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June 24, 2016
Supreme Court upholds affirmative action and tribal court jurisdiction decisions
Statement of support by La June Montgomery Tabron, president and CEO, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – The W.K. Kellogg Foundation applauds the U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings, Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin and Dollar General v. Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians to uphold an affirmative action program at the University of Texas, as well as tribal court jurisdiction over a non-Indian corporation doing business on a reservation signal a commitment to advancing programs and policies that address inequities resulting from the legacy of racism in the U.S…

June 24, 2016
Keeping families together is top priority following Supreme Court ruling that blocks immigration reform
Statement by La June Montgomery Tabron, president and CEO, W.K. Kellogg Foundation on the Supreme Court decision on immigration reform programs DACA and DAPA.
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – We are disappointed that yesterday’s Supreme Court split decision set no precedent and as a result, millions of undocumented immigrants will not have the security they deserve to thrive. This ruling underscores the need for comprehensive immigration reform so that families, communities and the nation are not living in fear and instead are made stronger…

Wellcome Trust [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/2016/index.htm

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News 1 July 2016
Smallpox inoculation had royal seal of approval 70 years before Jenner
A letter from George I, which lay uncatalogued in the Wellcome Library for over 70 years, reveals that the King urged his daughter to inoculate her children against smallpox.

News 30 June 2016
Invisible Worlds planned for Eden Project
Wellcome is awarding £1.9m to the Eden Project in Cornwall to create a permanent, immersive exhibition revealing the inextricable links between the health of humanity and the planet we inhabit

:: Journal Watch
The Sentinel will track key peer-reviewed journals which address a broad range of interests in human rights, humanitarian response, health and development. It is not intended to be exhaustive. We will add to those monitored below as we encounter relevant content and upon recommendation from readers. We selectively provide full text of abstracts and other content but note that successful access to some of the articles and other content may require subscription or other access arrangement unique to the publisher. Please suggest additional journals you feel warrant coverage.

BMC Research Notes
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcresnotes/content
(Accessed 2 July 2016)

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Research article
Local networks of community and healthcare organisations: a mixed methods study
Local collaboration of community organisations and healthcare organisations is seen as relevant for the efficiency and efficacy of health and social care because of their potential role in providing social inv...
Wendy Kemper-Koebrugge, Jan Koetsenruijter, Anne Rogers, Miranda Laurant and Michel Wensing
BMC Research Notes 2016 9:331
Published on: 1 July 2016

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Short Report
Towards the implementation of large scale innovations in complex health care systems: views of managers and frontline personnel
Increasingly, theorists and academic researchers develop, implement and test frameworks and strategies for improving the safety, effectiveness and efficiency of health care—at scale. The purpose of this research…
Sonia Wutzke, Murray Benton and Raj Verma
BMC Research Notes 2016 9:327
Published on: 28 June 2016

BMJ Open
2016, Volume 6, Issue 7
http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/current

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Global health
Research
Population attributable risk estimates for factors associated with non-use of postnatal care services among women in Nigeria
K E Agho, O K Ezeh, A I Issaka, A I Enoma, S Baines,
A M N RenzahoBMJ Open 2016;6:e010493 doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010493
Abstract
Objectives To determine population attributable risks (PARs) estimates for factors associated with non-use of postnatal care (PNC) in Nigeria.
Design, setting and participants The most recent Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS, 2013) was examined. The study consisted of 20 467 mothers aged 15–49 years. Non-use of PNC services was examined against a set of demographic, health knowledge and social structure factors, using multilevel regression analysis. PARs estimates were obtained for each factor associated with non-use of PNC in the final multivariate logistic regression model.
Main outcome PNC services.
Results Non-use of PNC services was attributed to 68% (95% CI 56% to 76%) of mothers who delivered at home, 61% (95% CI 55% to 75%) of those who delivered with the help of non-health professionals and 37% (95% CI 31% to 45%) of those who lacked knowledge of delivery complications in the study population. Multiple variable analyses revealed that non-use of PNC services among mothers was significantly associated with rural residence, household poverty, no or low levels of mothers’ formal education, small perceived size of neonate, poor knowledge of delivery-related complications, and limited or no access to the mass media.
Conclusions PAR estimates for factors associated with non-use of PNC in Nigeria highlight the need for community-based interventions regarding maternal education and services that focus on mothers who delivered their babies at home. Our study also recommends financial support from the Nigerian government for mothers from low socioeconomic settings, so as to minimise the inequitable ac

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HIV/AIDS
Protocol
Impact of approaches in improving male partner involvement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV on the uptake of PMTCT services in sub-Saharan Africa: a protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis
Noah F Takah, Iain T R Kennedy, Cathy Johnman
Dr Noah F Takah; takahnoah@yahoo.com
BMJ Open 2016;6:e012224 doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012224
Abstract
Introduction Several studies have reported approaches used in improving the delivery of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services through the involvement of male partners, but evidence from a systematic review is limited. We aim at determining the impact of male partner involvement on PMTCT in sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods and analysis This will be a systematic review of published literature. Interventional and observational studies on male involvement in PMTCT carried out in sub-Saharan Africa will be included irrespective of the year and language of publication. OVID Medline, Embase, PschINFO, and Cochrane database of controlled trials will be searched. After manual searching of articles, authors shall be contacted for further information. 2 authors (NFT and CJ) will independently screen potential articles for eligibility using defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tools, Jadad scale and the STROBE checklist will be used for critical appraisal, and the 2 authors will independently assess the quality of articles. Authors will independently extract data from studies using a pre-established data collection form, and any discrepancies will be sorted by a third author (TRK). Outcomes will be analysed using STATA V.12.0. The random effect model will be used to produce forest plots. The heterogeneity χ2 statistics and I2 will be used to assess for heterogeneity. Publication bias will be assessed using funnel plots. This protocol is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 guidelines.
Ethics and dissemination No ethical approval since included studies will be published studies that had already obtained ethical approvals. The findings will guide HIV programmes on the best approaches towards involving male partners in PMTCT with a view to improving PMTCT services in sub-Saharan Africa.
PROSPERO registration number 42016032673.

Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases
August 2016 – Volume 29 – Issue 4 pp: v-vi,319-431
http://journals.lww.com/co-infectiousdiseases/pages/currenttoc.aspx

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NOSOCOMIAL AND HEALTHCARE RELATED INFECTIONS
Prevention of common healthcare-associated infections in humanitarian hospitals
Murphy, Richard A.; Chua, Arlene C.
Abstract
Purpose of review: Humanitarian medical organizations focus on vulnerable patients with increased risk for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and are obligated to minimize them in inpatient departments (IPDs). However, in doing so humanitarian groups face considerable obstacles. This report will focus on approaches to reducing common HAIs that the authors have found to be helpful in humanitarian settings.
Recent findings: HAIs are common in humanitarian contexts but there are few interventions or guidelines adapted for use in poor and conflict-affected settings to improve prevention and guide surveillance. Based on existing recommendations and studies, it appears prudent that all humanitarian IPDs introduce a basic infection prevention infrastructure, assure high adherence to hand hygiene with wide accessibility to alcohol-based hand rub, and develop pragmatic surveillance based on clinically evident nosocomial infection. Although microbiology remains out of reach for most humanitarian hospitals, rapid tests offer the possibility of improving the diagnosis of HAIs in humanitarian hospitals in the decade ahead.
Summary: There is a dearth of new studies that can direct efforts to prevent HAIs in IPDs in poor and conflict-affected areas and there is a need for practical, field-adapted guidelines from professional societies, and international bodies to guide infection prevention efforts in humanitarian environments.

Food Security
June 2016, Issue 3, Pages 467-702
http://link.springer.com/journal/12571/8/3/page/1
Linking livelihood resilience, innovation, and food security in diverse smallholder farming systems

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Original Paper
Social practices of knowledge mobilization for sustainable food production: nutrition gardening and fish farming in the kolli hills of India
Suraya Hudson, Naomi Krogman, Mary Beckie Pages 523-533

Original Paper
Exploring the role of social capital in influencing knowledge flows and innovation in smallholder farming communities in the Caribbean
Arlette S. Saint Ville, Gordon M. Hickey, Uli Locher, Leroy E. Phillip Pages 535-549

Original Paper
Food system vulnerability amidst the extreme 2010–2011 flooding in the Peruvian Amazon: a case study from the Ucayali region
Mya Sherman, James Ford, Alejandro Llanos-Cuentas, María José Valdivia Pages 551-570

Original Paper
The nutrition transition and indicators of child malnutrition
Simon C. Kimenju, Matin Qaim Pages 571-583

Original Paper
Culture based fisheries in Asia are a strategy to augment food security
Sena S. De Silva Pages 585-596

Original Paper
Adaptation to climate change and the impacts on household food security among rural farmers in uMzinyathi District of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Stephen Shisanya, Paramu Mafongoya Pages 597-608

Review
Links between energy access and food security in sub Saharan Africa: an exploratory review
Phosiso Sola, Caroline Ochieng, Jummai Yila, Miyuki Iiyama Pages 635-642

Original Paper
What determines farmers’ adaptive capacity? Empirical evidence from Malawi
Solomon Asfaw, Nancy McCarthy, Leslie Lipper, Aslihan Arslan…

Global Health: Science and Practice (GHSP)
June 2016 | Volume 4 | Issue 2
http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/current

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EDITORIALS
Leading With LARCs in Nigeria: The Stars Are Aligned to Expand Effective Family Planning Services Decisively
Despite years of family planning effort in Nigeria, the modern contraceptive prevalence (mCPR) has reached only 10%. Yet a few recent seminal, well-executed programs have been outstandingly successful providing long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs)—both in the public and private sector, and in the North and South. Remarkably, the LARCs they provided were equivalent to 2% mCPR in 2015 alone.
Accordingly, we advocate markedly increased support for: (1) private-sector approaches such as social franchising, particularly in the South, (2) mobile outreach, and (3) support to public clinical facilities, including expanding access through community health extension workers (CHEWs), particularly in the North. Success will require system support, quality, and concerted engagement from a variety of partners including the Government of Nigeria.
Without significant progress in Nigeria, the global FP2020 goal appears unattainable. Fortunately, leading with LARCs along with wide choice of other methods provides a clear avenue for success.
James D Shelton, Clea Finkle
Glob Health Sci Pract 2016;4(2):179-185. First published online May 19, 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-16-00135

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EDITORIALS
A Convenient Truth: Cost of Medications Need Not Be a Barrier to Hepatitis B Treatment
Drugs that are inexpensive to manufacture and simple to administer greatly expand the potential to help tens of millions of people who need treatment for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Key program implementation challenges include identifying who would benefit from antiviral medication and ensuring long-term and consistent treatment to people who feel well. The best opportunities are where health systems are advanced enough to effectively address these challenges and in settings where HIV service platforms can be leveraged. Research, innovation, and collaboration are critical to implement services most efficiently and to realize economies of scale to drive down costs of health care services, drugs, and diagnostics.
Matthew Barnhart
Glob Health Sci Pract 2016;4(2):186-190. First published online June 16, 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-16-00128

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COMMENTARIES
Investing in Family Planning: Key to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
Voluntary family planning brings transformational benefits to women, families, communities, and countries. Investing in family planning is a development “best buy” that can accelerate achievement across the 5 Sustainable Development Goal themes of People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership.
Ellen Starbird, Maureen Norton, Rachel Marcus
Glob Health Sci Pract 2016;4(2):191-210. First published online June 9, 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-15-00374

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mHealth for Tuberculosis Treatment Adherence: A Framework to Guide Ethical Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation
Promising mHealth approaches for TB treatment adherence include:
:: Video observation
:: Patient- or device-facilitated indirect monitoring
:: Direct monitoring through embedded sensors or metabolite testing
To mitigate ethical concerns, our framework considers accuracy of monitoring technologies, stigmatization and intrusiveness of the technologies, use of incentives, and the balance of individual and public good.
Michael J DiStefano, Harald Schmidt
Glob Health Sci Pract 2016;4(2):211-221. http://dx.doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-16-00018

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ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Feasibility and Effectiveness of mHealth for Mobilizing Households for Indoor Residual Spraying to Prevent Malaria: A Case Study in Mali
Sending voice and/or text messages to mobilize households for spraying was more costly per structure and less effective at preparing structures than traditional door-to-door mobilization approaches supplemented with radio and town hall announcements. Challenges included:
:: Lack of familiarity with mobile phones and with public health mobile messaging
:: Lack of face-to-face communication with mobilizers, making it easier to ignore mobilization messages and preventing trust-building
:: Low literacy levels
:: Gender differentials in access to mobile phones
Keith Mangam, Elana Fiekowsky, Moussa Bagayoko, Laura Norris, Allison Belemvire, Rebecca Longhany, Christen Fornadel, Kristen George
Glob Health Sci Pract 2016;4(2):222-237. http://dx.doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-15-00381

Infectious Diseases of Poverty
http://www.idpjournal.com/content
[Accessed 2 July 2016]

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Research Article
Progress towards onchocerciasis elimination in the participating countries of the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control: epidemiological evaluation results
The African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) was created in 1995 to establish community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTi) in order to control onchocerciasis as a public health problem in 20 …
Afework H. Tekle, Honorath G. M. Zouré, Mounkaila Noma, Michel Boussinesq, Luc E. Coffeng, Wilma A. Stolk and Jan H. F. Remme
Infectious Diseases of Poverty 2016 5:66
Published on: 27 June 2016

JAMA
June 28, 2016, Vol 315, No. 24
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/issue.aspx
Viewpoint
A Yellow Fever Epidemic: A New Global Health Emergency? FREE
Daniel Lucey, MD, MPH; Lawrence O. Gostin, JD

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Volume 6 Issue 2 2016
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/toc/jhlscm/6/2

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Type: Research paper
Supply chain agility in humanitarian protracted operations
Cécile L’Hermitte , Peter Tatham , Ben Brooks , Marcus Bowles
Abstract:
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to extend the concept of agility in humanitarian logistics beyond emergency operations. Since the humanitarian logistics literature focuses primarily on emergencies and sees longer-term and regular operations as being conducted in relatively stable and predictable environments, agile practices are usually not associated with humanitarian protracted operations. Therefore, this paper explores the logistics and supply chain environment in such operations in order to identify their basic features and determine if agility is an important requirement.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a case study of the United Nations World Food Programme, we collected and analysed qualitative and quantitative data on the characteristics of protracted operations, the risks and uncertainties most frequently encountered, their impact, and the ways that field logisticians manage contingencies.
Findings
Our research demonstrates that unpredictability and disruptions exist in protracted operations. Therefore, short-term operational adjustments and agile practices are needed in order to support the continuity of humanitarian deliveries.
Research limitations/implications
Future research should focus on a wider range of humanitarian organisations and move from a descriptive to a prescriptive approach in order to inform practice. Notwithstanding these limitations, our study highlights the need for academics to broaden the scope of their research beyond emergencies and to address the specific needs of humanitarian organisations involved in longer-term operations.
Originality/value
This paper is the first empirical research focusing exclusively on the logistics features of humanitarian protracted operations. It provides a more concrete and complete understanding of these operations.

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Introducing PEARL: A Gini-like index and reporting tool for public accountability and equity in disaster response
Type: Research paper
Claire Elizabeth Carlson , Paul A. Isihara , Roger Sandberg , David Boan , Kaile Phelps , Kyu Lim Lee , Danilo R. Diedrichs , Daniela Cuba , Johnny Edman , Melissa Gray , Roland Hesse , Robin Kong , Kei Takazawa
Abstract:
Purpose
The need in disaster response to assess how reliably and equitably funding was accounted for and distributed is addressed by a standardized report and index applicable to any disaster type.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from the Nepal earthquake (2015), typhoon Haiyan (2013), the Haiti earthquake (2010), Sri Lankan ood (2011) and Hurricane Sandy (2012) illustrate uses of a Public Equitable Allocation of Resources Log (PEARL). Drawing from activity-based costing and the Gini index, a PEARL spreadsheet computes absolute inequity sector by sector as well as a cumulative index. Response variations guide index value interpretation.
Findings
Index values indicates major inequity in Nepal hygiene kit distribution and Haiti earthquake (both PEARL indices near .5), moderate inequity for the Sri Lankan flood (index roughly .75) and equitable distributions for Typhoon Haiyan and Hurricane Sandy (both indices approximately .95). Indices are useful to approximate proportions of inequity in the total response and investigate allocation under uncertainty in sector need specification.
Originality/value
This original tool is implementable using a website containing a practice PEARL, completed examples and downloadable spreadsheet. Used across multiple sectors or for a single sector, PEARL may signal need for additional resources, correct inequitable distribution decisions, simplify administrative monitoring / assessment, and foster greater accounting transparency in summary reports. PEARL also assists historical analysis of all disaster types to determine completeness of public accounting records and equity in fund distribution.

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A SCOR framework to measure logistics performance of humanitarian organizations
Type: Research paper
Qing Lu , Mark Goh , Robert De Souza
Abstract:
Purpose
In humanitarian logistics operations, performance measurement is crucial for effective operation. We seek to develop a set of indicators for humanitarian relief organizations (HROs) for their organizational level logistics operations.
Design/methodology/approach
We apply the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) framework to the context of humanitarian supply chains. By taking a bottom-up approach with the support of a large HRO, we identify the most important metrics through examining its supply chain processes. The initial metrics are then validated by seven HROs to ensure their applicability in humanitarian logistics operations.
Findings
A hierarchical benchmarking framework is proposed, and a set of twenty-six metrics is identified. The validation of these metrics supports our initial work with all metrics deemed important. It also highlights the implementation difficulty as only five indicators are readily available. We further suggest the automation of key logistics processes, which would significantly increase the number of implementable metrics to fourteen.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size of the validation is small, and the last mile delivery is not covered by our metrics.
Practical implications
With these performance metrics, HROs are able to monitor their logistics performance better with processed-based measures, which may lead to their policy and process adjustments for performance improvement.
Originality/value
Our work contributes to performance measurement in humanitarian logistics with a framework of a generic metrics set. The validation result is also original to reveal the state of performance measurement on the ground.

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Capabilities and competencies in humanitarian operations
Type: Research paper
Aruna Apte , Paulo Goncalves , Keenan Yoho
Abstract:
Purpose
Both the military and non-military Organizations (NMO) bring assets, skills and capabilities to a humanitarian crisis, however, their competencies and capacities are very diverse. Identification of the specific competencies and capabilities that are core to these types of organizations can enable better planning by both military and NMOs, allowing them to achieve greater effectiveness and efficiency in the humanitarian response. For this purpose our research explores the core capabilities of the military and NMOs engaged in humanitarian operations.
Design/methodology/approach
Our work builds on existing literature on the core competency of the corporation. We extend the concept of the ability to identify, cultivate and exploit the core capabilities in the private sector to the organizations that want to respond efficiently and effectively to disasters. We develop a Core Competencies Test for such organizations.
Findings
Our research identifies the competencies and capabilities that are core to the U.S. military and NMOs for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. By identifying such abilities we establish a vein of research for exploring the role of such organizations to facilitate greater understanding among academics, policy makers and decision makers in public administration, public health, and international aid.
Originality/value
Existing literature in humanitarian logistics does not adequately address identification of those competencies and capabilities that are core to the military organizations and NMOs and are most needed during the operational life cycle of a humanitarian crisis. In addition to identifying them, we compare the core capabilities of the military and non-military organizations.

The Lancet
Jul 02, 2016 Volume 388 Number 10039 p1-102
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

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Viewpoint
Virginity testing in professional obstetric and gynaecological ethics
Amirhossein Moaddab, Laurence B McCullough, Frank A Chervenak, Gary A Dildy, Alireza Abdollah Shamshirsaz
Summary
Doctors around the world might be asked to provide virginity testing. The ethical framework for the assessment of the physician’s role in virginity testing is based on the professional responsibility model of ethics in obstetrics and gynaecology and its three core ethical principles: beneficence, respect for autonomy, and justice. Beneficence-based objections are that virginity testing has no clinical indications and has substantial biopsychosocial risks. Autonomy-based objections are that virginity testing might be the result of social and cultural pressures that result in non-voluntary requests and, by being undertaken mainly for the benefit of others and not the female patient, impermissibly violates the patient’s human right to privacy.