**Preface**

**Background:** Social and environmental crises are increasingly impacting the health of populations. Inequalities in access to care are growing, and the current design of health systems is becoming increasingly fragile and inadequate to address these challenges. It is crucial to reinvent a new approach to global health that takes into account the current social and environmental crises, that further involves civil society and academia, and harnesses the opportunities of digital development. In these times of significant international tension, it is of utmost importance for Geneva to reinforce its unique position as a neutral platform for multilateral dialogue.

**About the Geneva Health Forum:** The Geneva Health Forum (GHF) is a platform for innovative practices in global health, a space for science-based and inclusive diplomacy. Established in 2006 by the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) and the University of Geneva (UNIGE), the Geneva Health Forum is organized in close collaboration with 24 partners, including prominent international organizations based in Geneva, such as the WHO, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Global Fund, GAVI, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the UN.

The mission of the Geneva Health Forum is to contribute to the improvement of health and access to

health care worldwide. To achieve this goal, it aims to give visibility to innovative field experience, to establish a constructive dialogue between global health actors from different sectors, as well as to foster collaborations between them.

**Conference Poster Submission:** Each edition of the GHF conference places significant emphasis on the presentation of research projects. Indeed, research conducted by both students and established researchers, is a key driver of innovation, and inspires the development of new practices in access to care. Presenting research results in the form of posters is a meticulous and high-quality exercise. In turn, strategic dissemination of these posters offers their authors new opportunities to reach a wider audience.

True to its multidisciplinary approach, the GHF welcomes professionals from all fields working in the health sector. From May 3 to 5, 2022, the ninth edition of the Geneva Health Forum took place in a hybrid format, hosting over 100 posters. The present collection of 106 posters covers a wide range of critical topics. We hope you enjoy reading through these posters and look forward to welcoming you to the next edition of the GHF in May 2024.

> **Antoine Flahault Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva Switzerland**

**Antoine Geissbuhler Division of eHealth and Telemedicine and Innovation Center, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland Digital Transition and Innovation, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland**

> **Véronique Maye External Affairs Directorate, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland**

> **Bruno Lab Directorate of External Affairs, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland**

#### xv

**LAGAZEL: Solidarity of Off-Grid Solar Solutions**

#### **Arnaud Chabanne**

Lagazel, Saint Etienne, France

In Africa, 650 million people live with no energy access. Those populations use non-reliable and nonsustainable solutions (oil or battery-operated lamps), which are dangerous for health and expensive. Nursing staff struggles to deal with night emergencies, and in a general way, all activities must basically stop around 6 p.m. Since 2015, Lagazel has been the first company to manufacture quality solar lamps and innovative solar kits in Africa, aiming to propose a solution to this issue. In Burkina Faso and Benin, about forty locally trained technicians produce sustainable solar equipment, which passed Lighting Global's quality standards. Today, more than 15 000 people benefit from Lagazel's solutions within seven African countries. Some of them are nursing staff and doctors in rural health centers, and their feedback is very clear: having a solar system to benefit from energy access is helping them do their job and is also helping to create a bond between them and their patients, increasing health centers' role within the community. Lagazel is looking for more partners to spread out their locally-manufactured solutions in order to improve living conditions all across Africa.

Arnaud Chabanne

#### Lagazel, Saint Etienne, France

For lighting, families often use oil or battery-operated lamps which are dangerous to the health and expensive. Pupils have difficulty studying and economic activities are limited as soon as the sun sets, around 6pm throughout the year. Solar lamps offer the opportunity to access sustainable and affordable quality lighting.

### Innovative Solutions: Lagazel's Collective Charging Station

Perfectly adapted to development projects, the collective charging station enables the simultaneous charging of 40 solar lamps. It is installed in a school; this allows pupils to study in the evening at home, thanks to a reliable light source.

This system is also a positive way of encouraging education: children must go back to school every day to continue to use their lamp.

Today, more than 16,000 people benefit from the station, within seven African countries.

•

•

Lagazel is the first company to manufacture solar lamps and solar home systems in Africa.

In Burkina Faso and Benin, about 20 locally trained technicians produce sustainable solar equipment, which passed Verasol's quality standards (formerly Lighting Global).

•

•
