Health Sciences Crossing Borders

When: Thursday 15 October 2026 (13:30 - 16:15)
Where: Campus UZ Gent, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent

For the teth year in a row, we are organizing Health Sciences Crossing Borders. We are happy to organize this event in collaboration with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The aim of this event is to showcase the many facets of internationalisation and to prepare you for an important challenge of our time: our global and hyper-diverse society. 

Programme

In each time slot, you can choose between 5 different sessions. 

1. Titel volgt nog  (Gijs Vercoutere)

2. Titel volgt nog (Ahmed Abdelmouty) 

3. Titel volgt nog (Bryan Gonzales) 

4. Titel volgt nog (Geert Janssens) 

5. Titel volgt nog (Kishor Mandaliya) 

Prof. dr. Kishor Mandaliya has a Master in Pathology from Royal College of Pathology, United Kingdom and Bachelor Degree in Medicine and Surgery from University of Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Mandaliya is a professional member of the Kenya Medical Association, International AIDS Society, Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, Lab and Blood Safety Committee of the National AIDS Control Program of Kenya and American Association of Blood Banks (AABB).

Pubmed reveals 67 articles authored or co-authored by Dr. Mandaliya since 2003, and this in peer-reviewed outlets. He offers research support in Sexual and Reproductive Health.

Prof. Mandaliya is affiliate professor at the department of Global Health of the University of Washington, involved in different research activities with UOW from his base in Mombasa, Kenya.

He also tutors medical students from Ghent university in Belgium who come for a clinical traineeship of 8 weeks at Coast Provincial General Hospital in Mombasa. He teaches them about tropical diseases and other topics of interest and importance in clinical medicine as seen in Mombasa and Kenya in general.

Ilse obtained her PhD in Educational Sciences at Ghent University and is currently full professor in the Department of Social Work and Social Pedagogy (Ghent University), where she teaches courses in migration and refugee studies. Ilse's main research topics concern the psychosocial wellbeing of unaccompanied refugee minors, migrant and refugee children, war-affected children, victims of trafficking and child soldiers. Prof. Derluyn is heading the Centre for the Social Study of Migration and Refugees (CESSMIR) and is co-director of the Centre for Children in Vulnerable Situations (CCVS).

Migration is an important topic on the political agenda and in public debates. Yet, the group of people with a migration background in our country is highly diverse. The lecture will discuss the different definitions and legal procedures of this diverse group and discuss how their migration experiences impact their wellbeing. These reflections will then be translated into concrete tools to support this group in health practices.[nm1] 

6. A one health approach to combating animal and human fungal toxins disease (Siska Croubels)

Siska Croubels is director of the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University. Prof. Croubels is lecturer for the courses General Pharmacology and Toxicology. Her research focuses on the in vivo disposition characteristics of (myco)toxins and drugs in animal species, including wildlife and environmental exposure.

Her research group develops species-specific biomarkers for mycotoxin exposure, in vivo models for efficacy testing of post-harvest mycotoxin mitigation strategies, and generates insights on the impact of mycotoxins on animal health, and on their interactions with drugs and the pathogenesis of major pathogens in animals. Her group is member of the MYTOX and MYTOX-SOUTH expertise centers (www.mytox.be; www.mytoxsouth.org), dealing with the effects of mycotoxins on human and animal health in the North and South.

The One health approach is a promising way to tackle global health issues, that acknowledges the interconnectedness of human, animal (incl. wildlife), plant, and environmental health. In September 2024, a new study linked a fungal disease responsible for the mass die-off of insect-eating bat populations in the USA, with an increased pesticide use by farmers. This in turn has been associated with a raise in infant mortality rates. This talk will highlight how fungal diseases in agricultural crops are directly related to animal and human health, and how collaborative efforts across various disciplines are essential for mitigation. The results of the LEAP-Agri MYCOSAFE-SOUTH project (2018-2022) will be shown (Long term EU-Africa research and innovation Partnership on food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture), as well as the goals of UP-RISE (EU-AU Partnership for Resilient, Inclusive and Safe food systems for Everyone, 2024-2028).

To the Global South: ethical considerations (Sebastian Van Hoeck)

Sebastian Van Hoeck currently works for the University of Antwerp as a Global Engagement & Decolonization officer, while previously having worked for UCOS as an intercultural trainer and policy advisor with regards to North-South partnerships and student mobility. Sebastian has trained more than 8000 students before their departure to the Global South and has lived himself in Cuba, Eswatini, South-Africa, Nicaragua and Tanzania.

In an age of rapidly increasing systemic challenges, international solidarity is more needed than ever. There is a lot of enthusiasm and goodwill to contribute to change while at the same time strengthening our own intercultural skills and experiencing an international adventure. A great win-win in other words! But, contributing to positive change in the so-called Global South brings with it a plethora of paradoxes and difficulties, whereby it is sometimes unclear what the added value is of our internship for local communities and partners. High levels of power inequality, coupled with possible unconscious racism and cultural misunderstandings, may lead to no positive change taking place.

This session aims to analyze various pitfalls around class, race, culture, privilege, and motivation when undertaking an internship in the Global South and frames to combat these.  

 7. Two countries, one region, different stories ( Cinthya Madrigal  Rodríguez  en Kimberly Nain. ​ Students Global Health

"Latin America & the Caribbean" is one phrase, but it hides two very different regions, histories, and realities. In this session, Cinthya Madrigal (Costa Rica) and Kimberly Nain (Jamaica) share personal perspectives on public health from their corners of the Americas. Cinthya brings insight shaped by her time at PAHO, with a closer look at Costa Rica. Kimberly brings insight shaped by her experience inside the Ministry of Health and Wellness, with a closer look at the health system in Jamaica. Because global health is not a textbook. It's history, politics, culture and circumstance. It's messy, unequal and deeply human. Come hear what that actually looks like, from two people who've lived it."

Kimberly Nain is a Jamaican health policy and legal professional with extensive experience working at the intersection of law, policy and public health. She has served as Senior Policy Analyst at Jamaica's Ministry of Health & Wellness and as Director on the Board of Management of the Southern Regional Health Authority, which delivers care to over 589,000 Jamaicans. Kimberly has represented the Government of Jamaica at international fora including the WHO's Intergovernmental Negotiating Body on the Pandemic Treaty, the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations, and CARICOM regional dialogues, and has facilitated bilateral health cooperation agreements between Jamaica and Cuba. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Laws in International Law, and is currently pursuing an Interuniversity Advanced Master's in Global Health in Belgium. 

Cinthya Madrigal Rodríguez holds a Master's Degree in Public Health from the University of Costa Rica and is currently pursuing an advanced MSc in Global Health in Belgium. She has extensive experience in public health policy, having worked as a National Consultant for PAHO/WHO, where she led projects on mental health, vaccine confidence, and community participation. She has co-developed national health strategies for the Costa Rican Ministry of Health and co-founded an advisory consultancy specializing in health policy reform. Her core expertise spans project management, participatory methodologies, and cross-cultural collaboration.  

 Health doesn’t stop at national borders, but healthcare often does. Depending on where you are, who you are, and what system you’re in, your access to care can look very different. This session examines how health systems worldwide influence who receives care, how quickly, and at what cost.
Through real-world examples, we’ll explore issues like getting medicines in a new country, type of medical facilities accessed, dealing with insurance and paperwork, and the important role health care professionals lay as cultural and language bridges. You’ll be encouraged to think about what “universal healthcare” really means and whether it exists in practice. By comparing experiences from Europe, particularly Belgium, to countries like India and Saudi Arabia, we’ll see how each system functions. The session will leave you reflecting on how borders, policies, and health systems affect everyday health, and what we can learn from each other to make care fairer and more equitable for all.

8. Cross-cultural competence in health practices (Jeanne Boden)

Jeanne Boden, doctor in Eastern Languages and Cultures, Director of Cultural Quantum, has a lifetime of experience in working across cultures. She developed a practical method for achieving efficiency in cross-cultural collaboration.

Today she will explain how cultures (and medical systems) can differ and introduce the Cultural Quantum method in a nutshell.

9. Thuis en in het buitenland: werken in diversiteit - ervaringen van een huisarts (David Vanneste)

Dr. David Vanneste is huisarts met een passie voor de diversiteit op onze aardbol. Hij heeft 4 jaar gewerkt in Wuustwezel, 9 jaar in WGC Daenshuis in Aalst, 2 jaar in WGC Medikuregem en 3 jaar in WGC Rabot, telkens met een superdiverse populaties. Daarnaast heeft hij 5 jaar lesgegeven aan de KU Leuven over diversiteit in de zorg en geeft hij nu de lessen rond diversiteit aan de UGent.

10. How to bypass denied access to medical and physical rehabilitation care for injured in humanitarian conflict: Humanity & Inclusion perspective (Eric Weerts)

Mister Eric Weerts is a trained physical therapist with long experience in humanitarian settings. The core focus of his professional career has been on supporting development of Physical Rehabilitation services for injured in more than 25 countries worldwide with Médecin Sans Frontières and Humanity & Inclusion (Handicap International).

Since 2012, he has been active in developing services in conflict areas mainly in the Middle East, Central Africa and Caribbean. His work focuses on strengthening national rehabilitation workforces to respond effectively to surges in demand, including mass casualty management and support for people living with disabilities. In addition, he collaborates with international networks (WHO, Campaign against landmines, Spinal Cord Injury Society) on strategies to better prepare national professionals for the consequences of conflict and to contribute to violence reduction efforts.

In this lecture, Eric will discuss the different aspects of Armed Violence Reduction promoted by Humanity and Inclusion. He will highlight practical approaches to training rehabilitation professionals in conflict zones, with a focus on strengthening health system resilience. The lecture will also address strategies for ensuring preparedness and response during outbreaks of violence, even in situations where access to services is restricted or professionals face risks in delivering essential care.

Plan Bobath Senegal: een evaluatie na 20 jaar werking op het terrein (Annemie Mortier)

Annemie Mortier werkte het grootste deel van haar professionele loopbaan als logopediste met kinderen met een hersenletsel in België en in Afrika (Rwanda en Senegal). Ze trachtte dit steeds te doen vanuit een holistisch kader en in samenwerking met een multidisciplinair team.
Ze volgde het postgraduaat ‘pediatrische revalidatie’ en werd zo een Bobath therapeut.
Ze woonde tussen 2004 en 2011 in Senegal met haar gezin en in 2005 werd het project in een buitenwijk van Dakar opgericht met een éénmalige financiering van de Belgische Ambassade in Dakar en in samenwerking met een Senegalees NGO.

Haar presentatie zoomt in op haar 20-jarige loopbaan (positieve en minder positieve punten) en welke conclusies kunnen genomen worden naar de toekomstige werking.

Ze gaat dieper in op het aspect ‘Community Based Reeducation’; de huis aan huis bezoeken door de lokale medewerksters, de rol van de ouders in de revalidatie van een kind met CP (cerebrale parese) versus de oprichting van crèches voor kinderen met CP.

Ze praat ook over het belang van aangepaste apparatuur voor kinderen met CP en welke keuze hierin gemaakt kunnen worden (importeren versus lokaal fabriceren).

11. The compounding effect of sexual violence in migration (Ines Keygnaert) 

Forced migrants are at risk of sexual violence before, during and upon migration, also when arriving in or passing through Belgium. This can lead to an accumulation of physical, sexual and mental trauma with potential effects on future generations, especially when accessing adequate holistic care is limited.

12. One health in Belgium, interactive debate on actual one health questions (Jeroen Dewulf) 

Jeroen Dewulf is a veterinarian and researcher specializing in veterinary epidemiology. He graduated as a veterinarian from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Ghent University, Belgium, in 1998. In 2002, he completed his Ph.D. on the epidemiology and control of classical swine fever and also earned a Master of Science degree in Veterinary Epidemiology from the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands, graduating Cum Laude. He became a diplomat in the European College of Veterinary Public Health in 2005 where he later on served as a board member and president (2015-2017). Currently, Jeroen Dewulf serves as a full professor in Veterinary Epidemiology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Ghent University. His primary research interests include prevention of epidemic and endemic diseases with an emphasis on biosecurity and the link with antimicrobial use and resistance in animals. He is passionate about turning data into veterinary expertise and policy for the benefit of animal and human health.  Jeroen Dewulf leads the Veterinary Epidemiology Unit and supervises over 10 Ph.D. students conducting research in veterinary epidemiology. He is a prolific author with (co-)authorship of over 450 A1 publications in the field and an H-index of > 77. Recently, he co-founded the spin-off company Biocheck.Gent and coordinates the EU research consortia BIOSECURE and B-SAFE, which focuses on cutting-edge research in biosecurity in terrestrial and aquatic animal production. In addition to his academic and research roles, Jeroen Dewulf has been an active member of several committees and boards. Since 2009, he has been a member of the scientific committee of the Belgian Federal Food Agency. He founded the Center of Expertise on Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Animals (AMCRA) in Belgium and chaired it until 2023. He has also been a member of the board of the Veterinary Medicines Institute (SDa) in the Netherlands since 2020. He is one of the Co-founders of WABA (World Animal Biosecurity Association) and currently the vice president of the association. Jeroen Dewulf is the author of the books “Biosecurity in Animal Production and Veterinary Medicine” and “8 Myths on Antimicrobial Resistance Disproved: Practical Guide for Reducing Antibiotic Use in Animal Husbandry”. He is also a frequently sought-after speaker worldwide, delivering talks on biosecurity and animal health.

13. Global Meet and Connect 

Meet national and international organisations that are committed to improving health care in Belgium and abroad. Explore the wide range of initiatives, visit the various booths and find out more about who they are and what they do.

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