March 21, 2023

[PODCAST] Homegrown solutions and sustainable funding

The significance of conducting research locally cannot be understated when it comes to developing innovative solutions that are tailored to meet specific local needs. In this context, sustainable funding is crucial to scale up these ideas and make them accessible to the masses. In this podcast, Professor Yap Boum shares his views on the importance of home-grown solutions by highlighting the example of rapid antigen testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. He draws upon his experiences with organizations like Epicenter Africa, Kmerpad, and iDocta to comment on the limitations of international funding and the need to decolonize global health.

Professor Yap Boum emphasizes the importance of conducting research locally, which enables the development of solutions that are adapted to local contexts and cultures. He also introduces the concept of ‘The Village,’ a platform that seeks to facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing among researchers, policymakers, and communities. Furthermore, he stresses the need for sustainable funding to support the scale-up of innovative solutions, which can be achieved through partnerships between local organizations, philanthropists, and governments.

Overall, Professor Yap Boum’s insights highlight the crucial role of local research in developing sustainable solutions that are tailored to local needs. The need for sustainable funding is also emphasized to ensure the scalability and accessibility of these solutions.