One in three people face difficulty accessing essential medicines. Worldwide, 5 billion people lack access to safe, affordable surgical and anaesthetic care. In times where the right to health is considered a human right, this should be unacceptable. The popular belief that these are problems of the global south is a misconception nowadays. Health systems in developed countries are also suffering under overwhelming costs. How can we achieve the aim of wellbeing and health for all? Why should we care? In this debate, a panel of experts will share their experience and take a closer look at these questions.

Panelists
Brigitte Augustijn, tropical doctor (AIGT) and general practitioner. As a tropical doctor she worked among other missions together with Doctors without Borders in Congo and South-Sudan. During the refugee crisis she worked in Samos, Greece.

Jefrie Buckle, co-founder of UAEM Maastricht (2014). Next to studying medicine at Maastricht University, where he obtained his MD diploma in 2016, he has been a member of UAEM-NL (2015). He continued his studies with a master in international affairs at Sciences Po, Paris (2017-2019), where he also joined the local UAEM chapter. His latest feat is an intern position at WHO Africa. 

Hans Buller, paediatrician, former Chairman of the Board of Erasmus MC, and founder of Fair Medicine. He is working on a new business model, which is in line with alternative and sustainable research and development system.

Jorik Vellekoop, gynecologist and tropical doctor (AIGT). As a gynaecologist he works at Zuyderland in Sittard/Heerlen and does several short-term missions per year to Africa.

Prisca Zwanikken, MD, M.Sc.CH, PhD, senior specialist in international public health, human resources for health, curriculum development and accreditation at Royal Tropical Institute (KIT). Currently Mrs Zwanikken is involved in capacity building and training programmes in Africa and Asia.

Moderator
Ibrahima Kaba, PhD fellow at UNU-MERIT & Maastricht University, double BSc in Econometrics and MSc in Public Policy and Development. Since 2015 in charge of coursework in "Quantitative Methods and Microeconomics" at UNU-MERIT. His PhD dissertation examines the issues of macroeconomic fluctuations and economic growth in developing countries and their inherent implications for welfare and development.

This Debate Café is organised with Universities Allied for Essential Medicines UAEM and InciSion NL.