In 2012, Energize the Chain had refrigeration units operating at 10 sites in Zimbabwe (see separate update -- Proof of Concept: Zimbabwe Pilot (April 2012)), revamped its website, and connected with several strong partners. Please read on for more updates.

2012

January

Meeting with Global Director of Scientific Affairs at Merck Research Laboratories

In January, the Energize the Chain team met with Dr. Walter Straus, who is the Global Director for Scientific Affairs at Merck Research Laboratories. Dr. Straus is a "Friend of Energize the Chain" who has been highly involved in some of our early advocacy work in India. He has connected our team with key governmental bodies, including the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and the Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi.

February

Meeting with Major General (retired) Scott Gration, Former US Ambassador to Kenya

Energize the Chain had an hour-long meeting with Scott  Gration, who was then US Ambassador to Kenya. He invited Energize the Chain to be a part of Let's Live, a USAID-funded initiative to effect positive change in the Kenyan Public Health system.  

March

Dr. Rubin Speaks at the Hague Institute for Global Justice

Dr. Harvey Rubin gave a talk at the Hague Institute for Global Justice in which he discussed setting up of a global governance structure for infectious diseases. Dr. Rubin described Energize the Chain's model as a possible solution towards addressing the complex problems of global infectious disease readiness. The talk was well received and EtC is currently exploring the possibility of a partnership in a scoping project outlining the terms for such a global governance program for infectious disease.

Meeting with Dr. NK Ganguly, former director, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

Energize the Chain proposed to create a position paper in collaboration with Biospace India discussing the state of the Vaccine Cold Chain in India. Biospace India is an independent policy think-tank that is attached to the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.

Meeting with Dr. Kanav Kahol, Head, Affordable Technologies Division, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI)

PHFI has expressed strong interest in being associated with the project and to provide technical support in study design, protocol development and independent project evaluation.