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Permian Health Lung Institute Hosts Successful Inaugural Air Quality Conference in the Gambia to Address Air Pollution
The Permian Health Lung Institute successfully hosted the inaugural Air Quality Conference in the Gambia, focusing on the significant issue of air pollution. The conference took place on September 7th, coinciding with the International Day for Clean Air and Blue Skies. The conference brought together over 75 participants, including stakeholders in the Gambia, including the Ministry of Health, the National Environment Agency, the Gambia Association of Resident Doctors, the Medical and Dental Association of The Gambia, and the Press and Media Houses as well as international speakers from the United States, and Ghana.
Dr. Mohammadou Kabir Cham, Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council, who emphasized the importance of increasing air pollution literacy in the Gambia and empowering medical and public health professionals. Dr. Cham called for a data-driven and informed approach to address the issue of air pollution.
Christa Hasenkopf, Director of the Air Quality Life Index and Air Quality Programs at the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, discussed the impact of PM2.5 pollution on human health, highlighting the unequal distribution of air quality infrastructure globally. She stressed the need for satellite data, ground monitoring data, and potential gain in life expectancy to yield good results in air pollution research. She also highlighted the success of China in reducing air pollution and the potential for other countries to learn from their efforts.
Her Excellency Dr. Isatou Touray, Executive Director of GAMCOTRAP, addressed the gendered impacts of occupational air pollution in the Gambia. She highlighted the exposure of women to air pollutants, particularly through household air pollution during biomass fuel usage for cooking. Dr. Touray emphasized the importance of involving women in discussions and decision-making processes to develop appropriate interventions. She also stressed the promotion of clean stoves and alternative energy sources to reduce household air pollution and improve lung health for women.
Dr. Jorjoh Ndure Tambedou, CEO of Insist Global, spoke about promoting environmental health literacy through STEM education. She shared her experiences as a student and emphasized the need to increase women's participation in STEM education to address the issue of air pollution effectively. Dr. Ndure Tambedou shared her work with Women in STEM Gambia (WiSTEM) which is an organization working on empowering and encouraging high school girls to be a part of the movement to increase female representation in STEM.
Dr. Collins Gameli Hodoli , a lecturer at the University of Environment and Sustainable Development in Ghana, presented preliminary findings on air pollution in the Gambia. He highlighted the limited monitoring and research on air pollution in Africa and stressed the need for appropriate mitigation strategies. Dr. Hodoli discussed the use of low-cost sensors to monitor air quality and emphasized the importance of defining PM2.5 levels and sources to propose effective mitigation strategies. He also highlighted the economic burden of air pollution on the workforce.
Dr. Dawda Badgie, the Director of the National Environment Agency, discussed the agency's role in addressing air quality and public health challenges. He emphasized the implementation of regulations to improve air quality and the need for further studies on air pollution in the Gambia. Dr. Badgie also highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.
Sunkaru Touray, MD, Co-Founder of Permian Health, introduced the Permian Health Clean Air Initiative. The initiative aims to address air pollution and health issues in the Gambia by adopting best practices and technologies from around the world. Dr. Touray emphasized the need for more air quality sensors in Africa and highlighted the technological gap that currently exists. They also raised concerns about the lack of vehicle emission and fuel quality standards, waste management laws, and clean cooking solutions in the Gambia. Dr. Touray emphasized the importance of democratizing access to air pollution data in the Gambia to empower people with information and drive change. They discussed the potential of using low-cost air sensors to identify hotspots for air pollution and the possibility of developing an app to verbalize the context and health recommendations for those who are not literate.
Dr. Ismail Badjie, CEO of InovaRx Global Health, presented on the potential for private sector businesses to drive innovation and efficiency in the healthcare system in the Gambia. He emphasized the need for a shift towards primary and preventative care to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in the country. Badjie also discussed the economic benefits of private sector growth in healthcare, including increased employment and reduced medical tourism.
In conclusion, the inaugural Air Quality Conference hosted by the Permian Health Lung Institute in the Gambia was a huge success, as it brought together multiple stakeholders and experts for the first time to address the issue of air pollution. The conference highlighted the need for data-driven approaches, increased awareness and literacy, private sector involvement, gender considerations, STEM education, and interdisciplinary collaboration to effectively tackle air pollution and improve lung health in the country. The conference also emphasized the importance of access to air pollution data and the need for technological advancements to drive change which the Permian Health Air Quality Monitoring Network seeks to address.
SPEAKERS
Christa Hasenkopf
HER EXCELLENCY DR. ISATOU TOURAY
Dr. Mohammadou Kabir Cham
Christa is the Director of the Air Quality Life Index and Air Quality Programs at the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago. Her career focuses on efforts that open up information, resources, and networks so that more people in more places can do more socially beneficial work. She is particularly interested in expanding sup
Christa is the Director of the Air Quality Life Index and Air Quality Programs at the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago. Her career focuses on efforts that open up information, resources, and networks so that more people in more places can do more socially beneficial work. She is particularly interested in expanding support for filling global air quality data infrastructure gaps. Previously, she co-founded and was the CEO of OpenAQ, an environmental tech non-profit which fosters a global community around its massive database of open air quality information. Currently, Christa also serves as an elected Trustee at the Pennsylvania State University and on the Board of Directors for the environmental non-profit Berkeley Earth. Christa received a PhD in Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences from the University of Colorado and a BS in Astronomy & Astrophysics from Penn State.
Dr. Mohammadou Kabir Cham
HER EXCELLENCY DR. ISATOU TOURAY
Dr. Mohammadou Kabir Cham
Dr. Mohammadou Kabir Cham, the Registrar of the Gambia Medical and Dental Council, has over 40 years of experience in leadership and management of health services at national and international levels. With a strong background in the health sector, Dr. Cham has significant expertise in controlling communicable diseases, community health, a
Dr. Mohammadou Kabir Cham, the Registrar of the Gambia Medical and Dental Council, has over 40 years of experience in leadership and management of health services at national and international levels. With a strong background in the health sector, Dr. Cham has significant expertise in controlling communicable diseases, community health, and public health. He has worked at all levels of the healthcare system and held administrative positions at the country level. Notably, Dr. Cham played a crucial role in the development of the Primary Health Care strategy and the implementation of the Roll Back Malaria concept. He has also served as a Temporary Adviser and Consultant for the World Health Organization and has acted as a Senior Facilitator and Coordinator for Training Workshops on Health Services Research Methodology. Dr. Cham's areas of specialization include Communicable Disease Control, Community Health, Public Health Epidemiology, and Malaria Prevention and Control.
HER EXCELLENCY DR. ISATOU TOURAY
HER EXCELLENCY DR. ISATOU TOURAY
HER EXCELLENCY DR. ISATOU TOURAY
Her Excellency Dr. Isatou Touray is a renowned Gambian activist and reformer who has dedicated her life to the advancement of women’s rights and gender equality in The Gambia. She is the founder and executive director of the Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP), a non-governmenta
Her Excellency Dr. Isatou Touray is a renowned Gambian activist and reformer who has dedicated her life to the advancement of women’s rights and gender equality in The Gambia. She is the founder and executive director of the Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP), a non-governmental organization that works to end harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage.
Dr. Touray has been a leader in the fight for women’s rights in the Gambia for over three decades. She has also been a vocal advocate for the rights of women and girls in The Gambia, speaking out against gender-based violence and advocating for the passage of laws that protect women’s rights. She is a tireless campaigner for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, and her work has had a lasting impact on the lives of countless women and girls in the Gambia.
Dr. Isatou Touray has significant experience in public service and has held a variety of senior positions in the Gambian government, serving as Minister of Trade, Minister of Health and subsequently Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia. She is highly respected internationally and is an expert in policy development and has a deep understanding of the legislative process in The Gambia.
Sunkaru Touray, MD, FACP, FCCP
Sunkaru Touray, MD, FACP, FCCP
HER EXCELLENCY DR. ISATOU TOURAY
Sunkaru Touray, MD, FACP, FCCP is the Program Medical Director for Sound Critical Care and ICU Medical Director at CHI St Luke’s Memorial Hospital in Texas. He is Board-Certified specialist in Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine. He is the co-founder of Permian Health Lung Institute, an advocacy and research center for lung heal
Sunkaru Touray, MD, FACP, FCCP is the Program Medical Director for Sound Critical Care and ICU Medical Director at CHI St Luke’s Memorial Hospital in Texas. He is Board-Certified specialist in Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine. He is the co-founder of Permian Health Lung Institute, an advocacy and research center for lung health. Dr. Touray is dedicated to empowering communities through education, research, and providing the highest quality of care to patients with respiratory illnesses. He has expertise in diagnosing and managing respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, pleural and interstitial lung disease. As a critical care specialist, he also treats patients with life-threatening illnesses in the ICU.
Dr. Touray trained in Internal Medicine at UMass Chan Medical School and completed a combined fellowship in Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine at the same institution. He has post-graduate research training at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Touray is the first Gambian to be elected as a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians and the American College of Physicians.
Dr. Christi Chester Schroeder
Sunkaru Touray, MD, FACP, FCCP
Dr. Christi Chester Schroeder
Dr. Christi Chester Schroeder serves as the Air Quality Science Manager at IQAir, a leading Swiss-based air quality technology company specializing in sensor manufacturing and global real-time air quality data aggregation. With a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Southern California, she has amassed over a decade of exper
Dr. Christi Chester Schroeder serves as the Air Quality Science Manager at IQAir, a leading Swiss-based air quality technology company specializing in sensor manufacturing and global real-time air quality data aggregation. With a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Southern California, she has amassed over a decade of experience in air quality. Her diverse background spans roles in academia, the regulatory community, and the private sector.
Dr. Schroeder's multifaceted background positions her uniquely at IQAir. Guiding multinational, cross-functional teams, she oversees projects that encompass the entire air quality data pipeline, from the initial generation of data and cloud processing to multi-platform access and visualization. Under Dr. Schroeder's guidance, IQAir's Air Quality Science team upholds the highest standards of scientific accuracy while embracing innovative solutions.
Dr Jorjoh Ndure-Tambedou, PhD
Sunkaru Touray, MD, FACP, FCCP
Dr. Christi Chester Schroeder
Dr Jorjoh Ndure Tambedou is a feted leader in the STEM field in the Gambia (West Africa)
with 18 years’ experience in scientific research, innovation and STEM advocacy. She studied
in the UK, then worked for several years in scientific research in the Gambia publishing
several papers in peer-reviewed journals. She has been a recipient of num
Dr Jorjoh Ndure Tambedou is a feted leader in the STEM field in the Gambia (West Africa)
with 18 years’ experience in scientific research, innovation and STEM advocacy. She studied
in the UK, then worked for several years in scientific research in the Gambia publishing
several papers in peer-reviewed journals. She has been a recipient of numerous national
and international awards and has disseminated her research both nationally and
internationally- making her a great role model for many girls in the Gambia who rarely have
women STEM leaders to look up to in their immediate environments.
She is actively engaged in the training and development of aspiring STEM professionals
leading several committees and have organized several initiatives engaging students and the wider community to raise awareness, encourage STEM uptake and make it more accessible for girls. She has made a deliberate effort to empower more women in the STEM fields.
She is currently the chair for the Sector skills council for ICT, a member of the TVET committee, and an adviser for the Gambia Women in Science initiative. She is currently leading one of the largest technology company in the Gambia, InSIST Global.
Dr Jorjoh also organises STEM fairs at high schools with the ulterior aim to raise awareness
about STEM and inspire the next generation of STEM professionals especially women. She
was recently featured in Forbes Africa as one of the women leaders in Tech changing the
ecosystem. Dr Jorjoh Ndure Tambedou is known for her contribution to research, science
education and leadership; for ‘building bridges’ for aspiring STEM professionals especially
females and creating environments for them to thrive.
Dr. Ismail D. Badjie, PharmD
Dr. Ismail D. Badjie, PharmD
Dr. Ismail D. Badjie, PharmD
Ismail D. Badjie, a Gambian-born U.S citizen spent his early childhood in Belgium and New York as a son of a Gambian diplomat before returning home to complete his schooling. He retuned to the U.S to continue his education earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry in 2008 from HBCU Tennessee State University (Nashville,TN) and then his Doc
Ismail D. Badjie, a Gambian-born U.S citizen spent his early childhood in Belgium and New York as a son of a Gambian diplomat before returning home to complete his schooling. He retuned to the U.S to continue his education earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry in 2008 from HBCU Tennessee State University (Nashville,TN) and then his Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D; 2013) from Purdue University (Lafayette, Indiana USA).
Dr. Badjie started his professional career in North Carolina as a Licensed Pharmacist and has had over a decade of experience in the pharmacy industry serving in multiple capacities in community practice. He holds a Six-Sigma Green Belt in healthcare-focused on increasing efficiencies and outcomes in healthcare organizations. In his most recent role of Pharmacy manager for Community Pharmacy Walgreens Co., Dr. Badjie managed a 24-hour community pharmacy with a daily average of over 800 prescriptions, total yearly sales of $16 million dollars, and an inventory size as high as $1 million dollars. His community pharmacy specialization also includes medication therapy management, pharmaceutical compounding, HIV therapy, and Adult Immunizations.
Dr. Badjie transitioned to establish his Healthcare solutions company Innovarx Global Health (IGH) in 2015 where he currently serves as Founder and CEO. IGH focusses on leveraging technology to bridge the gap in access to quality healthcare solution opened their first franchise in The Gambia in December. The company uses a U.S style community Pharmacy as the cornerstone of a cyclical integrated health ecosystem designed to leverage technologies such as telemedicine, point-of-care diagnostics, electronic prescription processing, retail e-commerce and last-mile delivery of quality healthcare products and services in the most convenient way. A model rooted in continuity of care and preventative health services that not only increase access and affordability in the local market but has also expanded the market to include citizens living abroad who sponsor the care of loved ones in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr. Buba Manjang
Dr. Ismail D. Badjie, PharmD
Dr. Ismail D. Badjie, PharmD
Dr Buba Manjang is the Director Public Health Services at the Ministry of Health in The Gambia. He serves as the National International Health Regulations (IHR) Focal Person for the country. Dr Manjang holds a PhD from the University of Birmingham in the UK, a Master's in Public Health from the National University of Malaysia, and a Bache
Dr Buba Manjang is the Director Public Health Services at the Ministry of Health in The Gambia. He serves as the National International Health Regulations (IHR) Focal Person for the country. Dr Manjang holds a PhD from the University of Birmingham in the UK, a Master's in Public Health from the National University of Malaysia, and a Bachelor's degree from the University of the Gambia. He also completed a Postdoctorate at the University of Waterloo in Canada. Dr Manjang is recognized as an expert in Joint External Evaluation (JEE) and frequently consults for the World Health Organization.
Dr. Dawda Badgie
Dr. Ismail D. Badjie, PharmD
Dr. Dawda Badgie
Dr. Dawda Badgie (PhD) is the Executive Director of the National Environment Agency (NEA) in The Gambia, where he was responsible for overseeing various environmental programs and initiatives.
Dr. Badgie has contributed significantly to the advancement of air quality research and policy formulation. He has published numerous articles in r
Dr. Dawda Badgie (PhD) is the Executive Director of the National Environment Agency (NEA) in The Gambia, where he was responsible for overseeing various environmental programs and initiatives.
Dr. Badgie has contributed significantly to the advancement of air quality research and policy formulation. He has published numerous articles in reputable journals and has written a book on environmental issues. His expertise has been recognized internationally, as he has been a member of various scientific and technical committees, including the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
In addition to his academic and professional achievements, Dr. Badgie is also an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of The Gambia, where he shares his knowledge and expertise with aspiring environmental scientists.
