Reaching the Last Mile
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Task
The Reaching the Last Mile portfolio is setting out to build new multi-sector partnerships and identify opportunities to invest in global health innovation. The task is to build a digital communications strategy that strengthens existing partnerships, forms new impactful ones, and builds reputation and credibility in the global health space.
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Strategy
• Collaboration and social activity with respected and established global health voices.
• Joint social toolkits distributed to partners and prospective partners.
• Virtual events that elevate UAE voices in health, science, policy and innovation.
• Content creation on emerging health topics. -
Result
Through demonstrating a strong communications and digital strategy, Reaching the Last Mile has strengthened existing partnerships with The Carter Center, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF Polio, Malaria No More, the WHO and The END Fund. New partnerships were formed with MIT Solve, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, UN, UNCDF, and TikTok. Additionally, RLM spearheaded the efforts to launch World NTD Day, now officially recognized as a world health day by the WHO.
Photo Exhibit for Niger River Blindness Elimination Announcement - EXPO Dubai
A photo exhibit at the Niger Pavilion of EXPO Dubai was developed around the announcement that Niger has completed the necessary evaluations in line with guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) to certify the elimination of river blindness. The photo exhibit launched this announcement on December 9, 2021 and was visited by long-time NTD partner, Bill Gates, of BMGF. The exhibit served to demonstrate to EXPO visitors from all over the world, the extraordinary progress being made in the NTD space, and through Niger’s example, show that elimination of these diseases is indeed possible.
Notable Digital Coverage:
• Becky Anderson, CNN
• Bill Gates, BMGF
• Ellen Agler, The END Fund
RLM’s Polio Efforts - First to Resume Vaccinations Since Start of the COVID Pandemic
The Emirates Polio Campaign (funded by RLM) was the first to resume polio vaccinations in July 2020, since the pandemic halted campaigns in March of 2020. Strategic communications backed up by amplification from authorities like UNICEF Polio, prompted other polio vaccine campaigns to resume with urgency. They adopted some of EPC’s COVID precautions as well as using polio workers to educate communities on ways to safeguard against COVID.