Network conversations provide an opportunity to learn about work being carried out by staff in Wessex. They are recorded interviews, some of which include slides and others are just sound. They are held on YouTube and can be accessed through this page. New conversations will be added to the list below.
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The Turkey/Syrian Earthquake
What is it like to provide medical care for survivors
in the immediate aftermath of a devastating earthquake?
Conversation with Dr Simon Struthers
At 17 minutes past 4 a.m. on 6th February, 2023, Turkey and Syria were hit by an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on the Richter Scale. About 16% of the population were affected and around 1.5 million were left homeless. Around 50,000 people were killed. What is it like to provide medical in the early days following such a disaster?
The UK contributes to an internationally co-ordinated response in situations like this and works through the charity UK-Med. Dr Simon Struthers, Consultant Paediatrician with the Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust, is a member of UK-Med and went out with a small team to provide support in the early days after the catastrophe.
This conversation has now been released (5th July, 2023). Follow this link to listen to Simon describe his experiences.
Supporting information
- Providing care under canvas in Turkey and Syria
- UK-Med
- UK Emergency Medical Team
- WHO Emergency Medical Team Initiative
- UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs : Syrian Arab Republic: Earthquakes - Syria Situational Updates - As of 22 March 2023
- Babies of the earthquake : caring for a newborn in the aftermath of the Syria-Turkey disaster – in pictures.
- Description of the Turkey/Syria earthquake
- Avoiding disasters in a dangerous world – the UN backed international disaster reduction agreement
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Tuberculosis
“Why the TB epidemic has been so difficult to bring under control and what needs to be done”
Conversation with Dr Michaela Reichmann (20th July, 2023)
Around 140 years ago the organism causing tuberculosis was identified. For 80 years, we have had antibiotics against the disease. TB is now rare the UK, but across the world as a whole it has remained the top infection causing death. Why, if it is rare in the UK, is it still such a significant problem worldwide?
In this edition of Network Conversations we meet Dr Michaela Reichmann, (Twitter handle @mtreichmann) Consultant in Respiratory Medicine and Associate Professor in Southampton. Michaela explains “Why the TB epidemic has been so difficult to bring under control and what needs to be done”. She also brings to light how, like Covid, a heightened immune response to TB can make the effects of the disease worse.
This conversation has now been released (20th July, 2023). Follow this link to listen to Michaela explain the challenges in controlling the TB epidemic.
Supporting information
- WHO's work on TB : Facts, Guidelines, End TB Strategy, Data and more
- Thumbnail summary of TB on the Network website
- The Tuberculosis Vaccine Challenge (Bulletin of the WHO)
- WHO plans a TB VAccine Accelerator council (January, 2023)
- World Tuberculosis Day (March 2023)
- Patent Office decision opens the door to 80% cheaper drugs that are affordable for more people.
- Many cases of child TB go undetected. Algorithm can assist diagnosis with limited resources.
- Global, national and regional estimates of TB incidence and case detection among incarcerated individuals from 2000 to 2029 : a systematic analysis
