Inspiration, insight and innovation for maternal and neonatal health at GLOW 2024
The Global Women’s Research Society Conference (GLOW) was held at the breathtaking McEwan Hall in Edinburgh on 23 and 24 September 2024. True to its theme, Rising to the challenge: Women’s and Newborn’s Health in the context of Global Crises, keynote speakers, poster presenters and participants alike filled the grand halls with their insightful research, leaving those attending in-person and online both challenged in their own approaches and research topics, and inspired to take the path less travelled.
Top left: Professor Angela Dramowski (Stellenbosch University), Professor Joy Lawn (Chair: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine), Dr Larisse Bolton (SACEMA). Top right and bottom left: Dr Larisse Bolton presenting on the data challenges, innovations and partnerships in neonatal sepsis. Bottom right: Breathtaking ceiling of McEwan Hall, Edinburgh.
Professor Angela Dramowski, infectious disease specialist, paediatrician and infection preventionist from Tygerberg Hospital whose research focuses on the epidemiology, treatment and prevention of neonatal bacterial infections in Africa, and Dr Larisse Bolton, a researcher from the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA) who applies data science approaches to pressing issues in neonatal and maternal health, opened the first day of the conference with a joint keynote titled Partnerships and Innovations to tackle antimicrobial resistant infections in African newborns. This joint presentation exemplified how interdisciplinary research teams can bring forth actionable solutions to address the crisis currently faced in neonatal sepsis diagnosis, management and treatment in Africa. The partnership highlighted the current clinical, diagnostic, treatment and data challenges alongside the exciting innovations and partnerships emerging in response to the call to action. This presentation served as a striking reminder of the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, showing how the combination of clinical expertise, data science, and epidemiological modelling can generate innovative, actionable solutions to the challenge of antimicrobial resistance in neonatal care. The work presented not only highlighted the urgency of addressing the current crisis in neonatal sepsis but also offered a roadmap for future interventions. As GLOW 2024 ended, the take-home message was clear: solving these complex global health issues will require continued partnership, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to the health of mothers and newborns. The path forward may not be easy, but with efforts like these, we are well on our way.
