UNGA DIARY
DR. ZAINAB SHINKAFI-BAGUDU CEO, MEDICAID CANCER FOUNDATION
DAY 1
CLINTON HEALTH ACCESS INITIATIVE
This year marks 20 years since CHAI was founded with a purpose of saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries. My 5-day visit to New York began with participation at this programme and learning more about CHAI’s partnership with Unitaid to scale up affordable cervical cancer screening.
DAY 2
2022 CONCORDIA ANNUAL SUMMIT
Alongside the official United Nations General Assembly programme, the Concordia gathering is a high-level, must-attend event providing a unique opportunity to hear directly from heads of state, leaders of the private and NGO sectors and industrialists. Key takeaways for me; the final realisation that cultural diplomacy is essential to bringing people together as well as sustaining and improving relations across different cultures. Keynote speakers also touched upon global health opportunities and challenges. I am more determined than ever to work towards fostering an equitable pandemic recovery.
DAY 3
JOHNSON & JOHNSON STORIES FROM THE HEART OF HEALTH
Hearing the miraculous and sometimes heart-breaking stories from patients and medical workers breathes life into my work. The evening I spent at the Johnson & Johnson Center for Health Worker Innovation was truly inspiring.
DAY 4
NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP FORUM
It was an honour to support President Muhammudu Buhari at his last UNGA gathering as head of state. Beyond security challenges at the star-studded sideling event, President Buhari highlighted initiatives his government is undertaking to enhance the country’s economic development including intensifying policy reforms, bolstering governance, and encouraging public-private investments in social, human, and physical infrastructure. The gathering was graced by Billionaire and founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony Elumelu; Nigeria's Minister of State for Petroleum Timipre Sylva; Minister for Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama; and African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina among others.
DAY 5
CLOSED DOOR MEETING WITH THE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS, AMINA MOHAMMED
To address the global burden of cancer - within and between countries, we need to adopt a fresh narrative and a renewed global perspective through many programs and international partnerships. What a joy it was to discuss this with her excellency Amina Mohammed. I look forward to working even more closely with her in the foreseeable future. Our discourse was inspiring.