WEBINAR WEEK 1: Launch of COVID Conversations

The first webinar was held on Friday 20/03/2020 at 1:00 pm GMT.

Speakers Included

• Prof Ruairi Brugha
• Niall Roche, WASH/Env. Health Consultant and Lecturer. 
• Diarmuid McClean, Development Specialist, Deputy Head of Mission for Embassy of Ireland in Lilongwe, Malawi

Topics covered in the webinar included:

• The crucial nature of leadership as a key determinant of country’s successes in stemming the spread 
• How Education is the Social Vaccine for COVID-19 as it was proven for many countries with HIV/AIDS 
• The situation in Malawi and what can be learned from Ireland’s response – how the pandemic represents a protection issue
• The inherent vulnerability of the health systems should ventilators become rationed if the pandemic goes beyond the surge system in countries affected
• The vulnerable situation of those on ARVs with micronutrient deficiencies and the duty of care to staff
• WaSH in the Community and the Urgency of Behaviour Change Measures to suppress the curve
• The situation for the 896 million people globally who use health facilities with no water supply – and the work that needs to be done in healthcare facilities