SHEFFIELD — Samya Stumo brought an incredibly bright light to all she encountered. The emerging global health advocate, driven to reduce obstacles for women worldwide, was en route to Kenya and Uganda when she died tragically in the crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 in 2019. In keeping with her vision, Stumo’s family and the ThinkWell Institute, (a non-profit global health incubator where she was employed at the time of her death), created a fellowship aimed at providing young women entrepreneurs the funding, tools, and mentorship to pursue unique health projects.
This year, to mark the inaugural class of five young women entrepreneurs, ThinkWell is launching its first Giving Tuesday campaign, on November 30, with an ambitious goal: to double its impact in 2022-2023, while striving to make healthcare more equitable in underserved communities across the globe.
“[Samya] firmly believed that health systems should be pragmatic and people-centered,” said ThinkWell founder Dr. Yogesh Rajkotia in a statement following Stumo’s death. He went on to describe her as “a strong advocate for vulnerable populations around the world. She was passionate about resolving the disconnect between policy and practice. She incisively critiqued the status quo of the global health and development aid architecture, with a keen focus on creating positive change.”
Stumo’s work hinged on giving voice to those who were voiceless or otherwise marginalized. In a fitting nod to her objectives, the fellowship created in Stumo’s memory is positioned to provide exceptional young women change-makers who exhibit inventive passion an opportunity to help revolutionize global health. The inaugural cohort for the Samya Rose Stumo Memorial Fellowship for Global Health includes five individuals from around the world who will work to shape their transformative global health ideas over a 12-month period. ThinkWell will provide mentorship to inspire their vision, develop their skills, and incubate their visions. The fellowship, which commenced September 1, includes the following projects.
The Mother Connection — Ugnayang Nanay
Nadine Casino’s project aims to bring together breastfeeding mother leaders, breastfeeding supporters, policy makers, stakeholders, and investors to create enabling environments for optimal infant and young child feeding in the Philippines. Her deep passion and interest to normalize breastfeeding has the power to change breastfeeding practices throughout the provinces of the Philippines.
Integrating SOGIE in Family Health
In the Philippines, health sector programs are focused on cisgender and heterosexual individuals. Platforms for discourse and educational activities all take a heteronormative approach. Health services for queer women remain inaccessible.
Martha de la Paz’s vision is to integrate health services for queer women and other members of the LGBTQ+ community into ongoing health programs. Some initiatives entail the sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE) framework be integrated into family health programs at the national level, and inclusive primary care be built at the local level. By embedding these changes into the health system, she will provide a proof of concept for legislation to take concrete steps towards increasing access to inclusive health services for the LGBTQ+ community at the national policy level. She envisions a future where the Philippines can fully embrace and support the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ members.
Building Awareness and Advocacy around Congenital Hydrocephalus
Congenital hydrocephalus is a disorder that hampers the natural flow of cerebral spinal fluid into the brain. This disruption results in abnormal expansion of the head and pressure on the brain. Left untreated, this neurological disorder leads to death and other disabilities. Its victims are mainly children from poor socioeconomic backgrounds, and Bangladesh is a country where there is very little awareness or advocacy around this issue.
Rukhshan Fahmi’s project aims to build stronger awareness and advocacy around congenital hydrocephalus, especially in lower-income communities across Bangladesh. She hopes to develop research on nutritional interventions for mothers and build awareness campaigns through digital and print media.
Impact of COVID-19 on Strategic Purchasing for Healthcare in Indonesia
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the health system in Indonesia. During the first year of the pandemic, the government of Indonesia revised its budget structure and asked local governments to refocus their budgets to align with this new policy. To date, however, there has been little evaluation of the impact of this “adjusted health purchasing arrangement.”
Pandemics provide an opportunity to build more resilient health systems. Documenting the impact of policy changes during an emergency setting is vital to strengthen the health system in the future. Nuzulul Putri aims to do exactly this. Throughout the year, she will analyze the effects of the adjusted purchasing arrangement on both short- and long-term outcomes, and across different levels of government, to help improve our knowledge for future emergency preparedness. This project will also provide evidence to purchasers on how and when they should implement purchasing adjustment — both in an emergency setting, such as the current pandemic, and for future public health emergencies.
Rethinking Water and Public Health Governance in Fluorosis-Affected Communities
Ruth Wambui Wagatua comes from Naivasha, Kenya, a fluorosis-affected community (FAC) where she has personally witnessed the negative effects of this condition. Fluorosis is caused by consumption of water with high fluoride levels and presents itself in the form of dental, skeletal, and mental fluorosis, which lowers the IQ, among other effects. Ruth hopes to create a new water and public health governance paradigm aimed at addressing FACs and their ecosystem health issues, starting with Nakuru County. She will promote community education as well as tactical solutions such as rainwater harvesting tanks and defluorination plants. Through her work, she aims to positively reshape the lives for people in FACs. Someday, she hopes to influence legislative decision makers and even run for office so she can be a bigger voice for these communities.
“Samya was passionate about revolutionizing global health, especially reducing obstacles for women,” her family says. “She cared most about treating all people and patients as human beings, particularly in the context of their culture, family, and individuality. Samya was infectiously vibrant, intensely curious, and lived her life to the fullest. She had leadership, compassion, and intellectual rigor.”
It stands to reason that ThinkWell — founded in 2011 to be a disruptive, creative agent for change — captured her attention. For over a decade, the nonprofit has sought to support human capital development around the world, fueled by a single mission: to break from the status quo of development assistance.
To honor the 50 years of global health impact Stumo would have had, ThinkWell has endeavored to raise $20 million in funds to create the next generation of influential female leaders in global health. Donations in support of the growth of this fellowship program will not only uphold Samya’s legacy, but also bring her efforts to fruition. Visit this link to make your Giving Tuesday donation today.
