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  • CBM joins UK Coalition against Neglected Tropical Diseases
    Fri, 27/01/2012 - 11:56

    CBM, the overseas disabilities charity, has joined the UK Coalition against Neglected Topical Diseases (NTDs).

    CBM UK CEO, Dr. Bill McAllister, said "We were particularly pleased to hear that CBM's expertise and commitment is considered to be a valuable contribution to the control and reduction of the burden of Neglected Tropical Diseases and are looking forward to a successful collaborative partnership."

    The goals of the coalition include many important issues. They will be working toward raising awareness among UK, European, international policymakers and the broader health community of NTDs as a key barrier to attainment of the Millennium Development Goals and poverty alleviation. To do this it will be vital to influence policy decisions to best support effective approaches for the long term sustainable control of NTDs.

    All of the members of the coalition are working together to ensure that NTD control is included within national, regional and international health and development frameworks and to create strong collective identity within the UK on NTD control, supported by organisations delivering and supporting public health interventions to communities in extreme poverty.  In order to achieve this goal, it will be necessary to expand the numbers of organisation committed to supporting NTD control both within and outside the health sector.

    The coalition was launched in September 2011.

  • Mike Davies OBE to speak at Cambridge Post-UN Summit on NCDs and Mental Health in developing countries
    Fri, 13/01/2012 - 17:42

    The Humanitarian Centre, in partnership with the Centre for Science and Policy and the Cambridge Institute for Public Health are holding The Cambridge Post-UN Summit Conference on Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health in Developing Countries. Mike Davies OBE (Head of Programme Development, CBM UK) will be one of a wealth of key speakers at The Cambridge Post-UN Summit Conference on Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health in Developing Countries.

    The 2011 UN Summit on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) was a tremendous opportunity to bring the world's attention to the global burden of death, disability and poverty caused by noncommunicable diseases.

    Mike Davies OBE

    How can the UK appropriately and sustainably contribute to the prevention and treatment of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Disorders in the developing world?


    The Cambridge Post-UN Summit Conference seeks to capitalise on the momentum and energy the Summit created around noncommunicable diseases, and put forth appropriate agendas for further UK research, action and policy on noncommunicable diseases and mental health in the developing world.

    The outcomes from Conference will be translated into key messages and brought to the attention of MPs, Parliamentarians, civil servants, and other policy-makers, researchers, activists and practitioners, at a reception in the House of Commons (Jubilee Room) at the end of January 2012.

    Conference sessions will include:

    • Critical reviews of the outcomes of the UN Summit on Noncommunicable Diseases
    • Short- and long-term strategies for addressing gaps in prevention, treatment, policy and 'public awareness' on noncommunicable diseases and mental health (NMH) in developing countries
    • Highlights from a growing number of successful 'linking' and 'capacity-building' programmes, which assist individuals and organisation in the developing world to strengthen their own sustainable NMH research, treatment and care programmes.
    • Different models of partnership to advance best practices and policies on NMH research, interventions, treatment and care - including multidisciplinary, multisectoral and multinational partnerships.

     

    Attendance strictly by Registration

     

  • CBM engagement continues 2 years after the 2010 earthquake
    Thu, 12/01/2012 - 13:24

    For many Haitians, the effects of the devastating 2010 earthquake still dictate their lives. From the beginning, CBM and local programmes were involved in the response, but the strategy has always been long-term.

    Haiti 2012 Guillaume P. Rodnel, a community worker, showing a prosthesis to schoolchildren at Zorange school, north of Port-au-Prince
    Photo: CBM

    For all programmes, CBM is working with the local organisations to build expertise and training of skilled workers in order to strengthen self-responsibility and independence.

    New crises and disasters have become the focus of the world's media, but for hundreds of thousands of Haitians the devastating earthquake of 12th January 2010 still dictates their lives. Many still live in temporary shelters, are unemployed and above all marked by physical and psychological consequences of the disaster.

    Long-term strategy


    Immediately after the earthquake CBM (which has been supporting projects in Haiti since 1976) provided food, shelter and medical care with its local partners. But from the beginning CBM strategy aimed at  long-term improvement of the lives of those affected, especially persons with disabilities.

    The trauma of the disaster will haunt many of the victims for a long time. But children and adults with physical disabilities are among those whom there were absolutely no rehabilitation opportunities before the earthquake. With the training and rehabilitation assistants by CBM professionals, the foundation was laid for a future  independent physiotherapy curriculum in Haiti.

    In 2011 CBM supported around 20 projects resulting from the emergency throughout the country. In addition to the focal point of medical rehabilitation, CBM pays particular attention to advocacy for persons with disabilities, so that the reconstruction of Haiti is accessible and can be made more inclusive. For example, French urban planner and CBM expert Benjamin Dard helped in development of a bill for barrier-free building standards and advises CBM partners in the construction of accessible housing for earthquake victims.

    For all programmes, CBM is working with the Haitian government, Haitian self-help organisations of persons with disabilities and other groups. This networking also helps to build up local expertise and truing of skilled workers in order to strengthen self-responsibility and independence.

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    Further Reading

     Washline's Journey - Washline Jorcine has come an incredible way since being caught in the rubble left by the devastating earthquake that hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti in January 2010.

     CBM in emergencies