n this episode, we sit down with Dr Fekri Dureab, a physician‑researcher at the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, to unpack how medical expertise, conflict‑zone realities, and the ever‑growing “info‑demic” intersect on the frontlines of public‑health work.Drawing on his years of hands‑on experience in Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, and beyond, Dr Dureab walks us through the evolution of his career—from treating patients under a single‑lamp light to designing electronic disease‑early‑warning systems that still buzz in Yemen today. He explains why misinformation can be m...
n this episode, we sit down with Dr Fekri Dureab, a physician‑researcher at the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, to unpack how medical expertise, conflict‑zone realities, and the ever‑growing “info‑demic” intersect on the frontlines of public‑health work.
Drawing on his years of hands‑on experience in Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, and beyond, Dr Dureab walks us through the evolution of his career—from treating patients under a single‑lamp light to designing electronic disease‑early‑warning systems that still buzz in Yemen today. He explains why misinformation can be more lethal than a virus, how risk communication becomes a lifesaving tool in fragile states, and what students and aspiring public‑health champions should (and shouldn’t) pack in their professional backpacks.
The conversation also shines a light on the human side of data: the guilt that drove him back to his homeland while studying abroad, the joy of training clinicians in the field, and the stubborn optimism that even in war‑torn settings, a well‑crafted message can halt a rumor before it turns into a crisis.
What will you learn?
- Why Dr Dureab swapped a stethoscope for a surveillance dashboard—and why that swap saved lives.
- How early‑warning systems built in the middle of conflict still function, proving that technology can thrive even when electricity flickers.
- The dangerous dance between social‑media memes and disease outbreaks, and why “fake news” deserves its own triage protocol.
- Practical advice for students, NGOs, and future field workers: blend field‑experience with academic rigor, keep your boots muddy, and never underestimate the power of a well‑timed press release.
🧠 Topics Covered
- From clinic to crisis: How clinical training enriches public‑health program design.
- Electronic disease early‑warning systems: Building resilient surveillance in Yemen’s war‑torn health infrastructure.
- The “info‑demic”: Why misinformation can outpace pathogens and how risk communication saves lives.
- AI‑driven rumors: Navigating the new frontier of algorithmic misinformation in conflict zones.
- Career roadmap: Fieldwork + academia as the ideal prescription for aspiring public‑health leaders.
- Practical tips for NGOs & activists: Crafting effective press releases, leveraging community networks, and countering disinformation on the ground.
👤 About the Guest
Dr Fekri Dureab – Medical doctor, PhD, and public‑health researcher at the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health. His work spans health‑systems strengthening, disease‑control strategies, epidemic preparedness, and nutrition interventions across fragile and conflict‑affected states such as Yemen, Somalia, and Iraq. He has coordinated WHO nutrition projects, co‑created Yemen’s electronic disease early‑warning system, and led Info‑Demic Management training during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
📚 Resources & Links
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health – https://globalhealth.uni-heidelberg.de
- WHO Nutrition Programme (Yemen) – https://www.who.int/emergencies/yemen-nutrition
- Electronic Disease Early‑Warning System (Yemen) – internal link forthcoming
- Info‑Demic Management Training – https://www.info‑demic.org
- Just Access Podcast – https://just‑access.de/podcast
- Support Just Access – https://just‑access.de/donate
- Contact the show – podcast@just‑access.de
Key moments:
- 00:01 – The spark that sent a med‑student to the frontlines.
- 05:45 – Why fragile states stole his heart (and his research agenda).
- 09:55 – The rise of the “info‑demic” and how AI fuels it.
- 12:10 – Prescription for students: fieldwork + academia.
Call‑to‑action:
Help Just Access keep the signal strong—donate at https://just‑access.de/donate, share the episode, and drop us a line at podcast@just‑access.de.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
View more
