Nzube Ifediba

Money is finite, problems aren't. In this post, I outline the heuristics in effective philanthropy

I just read a Substack on the volume of #@AI philanthropic capital in the anticipated American Philanthropy 3.0. The numbers are boggling. Using back-of-the-envelope calculations (BOTECs) and Fermi estimates the new wave will bring anywhere from $37 B to $100B in philanthropic capital every year. This is on top of the baseline $600B from American philanthropists. The Substack's writer argues that America is not ready for that deluge of money, even with the current capacity of EA aligned grant makers allocating anywhere from $150m to $1b a year. If America isn't ready, is Africa ready? Or perhaps it doesn't concern us, since it's America's money? Thoughts? Link to the substack is in the comments

A lot of folks at the #WHA are talking about the #innovative ways to improve drug access and medical technology to those in resource constrained settings. These settings have really high additionality: they are the ones most in need but least likely to have access due to cost. Currently, high out of pocket spending means a lot of people in the Global South do not have access to lifesaving medicines. #innovation #drugaccess #medtech

Still thinking about the #WHA happening in Geneva. As quoted by the Brazilian Health Minister "Innovation without access is injustice Access without innovation is false hope" It will take a great deal of concerted efforts and ingenuity to solve for both without tradeoffs.

Just watched Michael Anderson, MedAccess' CEO video on the ongoing WHA at Geneva. In it he opens with the question: "with the new funding environment how do we ensure products get to people on the frontline?" MedAcess have always focused on local ownership so it's not surprising that he starts off talking about the benefits of local ownership: local governance, local supply chains, local procurement. This is very important because whatever drug or medtech the Global North develops, if it's to sustainably take off in LMICs, local ownership is key.