AdvoSci Health

In this episode of the ASH Podcast, Dr. Syed Zafar Zaidi, CEO of the Indus Hospital and Health Network, takes us inside one of the world’s most ambitious healthcare models - a hospital system that provides completely free care at scale. Serving millions across Pakistan, the network is redefining what equitable healthcare can look like.How do you build and sustain a healthcare system where no patient ever receives a bill? Dr. Zaidi shares the vision, challenges, and innovations behind this groundbreaking model - and what the rest of the world can learn from itCheck out Dr. Zaidi's TED Talk to learn more about his journey!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2G6H5_YzlI

What happens when a U.S. state joins the World Health Organization — after the United States officially withdraws?In this episode, we unpack New York State’s decision to join the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), a WHO-coordinated system designed to detect and respond to disease outbreaks around the world. With the U.S. federal government stepping away from WHO membership, New York — along with a few other states — has chosen to stay connected to global public health infrastructure.Article: "First look: New York joins WHO network after Trump pulls U.S. from UN agency"#GlobalHealth #PublicHealth #WHO #GOARN #HealthPolicy #PandemicPreparedness #OutbreakResponse #HealthSecurity #InfectiousDisease #GlobalGovernance #PublicHealthNews #AdvoSciHealth #ASHPodcast

In this episode of ASH, we unpack the evacuation of Kashechewan First Nation following a failure of its water and sewage systems and confirmed cases of cryptosporidium, a waterborne parasite.Hundreds of residents were forced to leave their community and relocate to southern Ontario — once again highlighting how water insecurity in Indigenous communities is treated as an emergency instead of a preventable policy failure.Article 1: "Niagara Falls helps hundreds of Kashechewan water crisis evacuees settle into the Ontario city" Article 2: "19 members of Kashechewan First Nation in northern Ontario test positive for cryptosporidium"#kashechwan #indigenoushealth #WaterIsARight #publichealth #healthequity #indigenousrights #canadahealth #environmentaljustice #reconciliation #advoscihealth #ashpodcast

What does it really take to build a new medical school – and reimagine the kind of physicians our communities truly need?In this powerful new episode of the ASH Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Teresa Chan, the Founding Dean of the TMU School of Medicine. From insights into the inaugural class and honest reflections on leadership lessons to a deep dive into healthcare inequities, this conversation goes beyond titles, beyond tradition, and beyond the white coat.Watch now on our Spotify and YouTube channels, and join us as we explore how the future of medicine is being shaped today! 

In this episode of the ASH Podcast, we break down a troubling finding from the Auditor General of Ontario: the province may not be properly overseeing how doctors bill the healthcare system. What does weak oversight actually mean for public trust, healthcare spending, and patient care? Tune in as we unpack the report, explain why it matters to everyday Ontarians, and explore the ripple effects this could have on the future of publicly funded care in Ontario.If you care about where healthcare dollars go — and who’s responsible for watching them — this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Alberta is testing a bold shift: allowing physicians to work in both the public and private systems. But is “dual practice” the answer to long wait times - or a threat to universal care? In this week's episode, we unpack the evidence, hear from experts on both sides, and explore what this policy could mean for patients, providers, and the future of Canadian healthcare.Article 1: What Alberta's public-private doctor plan could mean for insurance, physician burnout, nurses and more Article 2: Experts warn the devil is in the details with Alberta's 'experiment' to expand private health care

Pakistan is one of only two countries where wild poliovirus still circulates. But the story of polio isn’t just medical — it’s shaped by mistrust, misinformation, community experiences, state policies, and the complex politics of public health.In this episode, we speak with Hadeed Hassan, a researcher at the SickKids Centre for Global Child Health, about vaccine hesitancy, recent attacks on polio workers, the tension between individual rights and state responsibility, and why some communities continue to resist vaccination.A powerful conversation on trust, health systems, and what it will take to finally end polio in Pakistan.

In this episode of the AdvoSci Health Podcast, we speak with Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta, one of the world’s leading voices in global maternal and child health.From South Asia’s remarkable progress to the persistent inequities facing women and children globally, Dr. Bhutta shares insights on bridging research and policy, strengthening health systems, and mentoring the next generation of leaders.🎧 Hosted by Omar & Ali — AdvoSci Health Podcast

Global health is facing a reckoning. A new Health Policy Watch article — Global Health Leaders Urge Fewer Agencies Amid Funding Crisis — reveals a 21% drop in global development assistance for health and a 67% cut in U.S. funding, totalling more than $9 billion.In this episode we scroll through the article in real time and unpack what these numbers really mean — for HIV programs, child mortality, and the very architecture of global health itself. Are there too many agencies? Or is the system simply too fragmented to survive another funding shock?#GlobalHealth #HealthPolicy #FundingCrisis #PublicHealth #HealthEquity #GlobalAid #GlobalDevelopment #GlobalHealthGovernance #ASHPodcast #WHO #GlobalFund #Gavi #HealthEconomics #InternationalAid #AdvoSciHealth

In this episode of The Rare Tapes, we explore three moments when patients are forced to fill the cracks in a system that should support them. From families stepping in as untrained interpreters, to patients turning to “Doctor Google” for answers, to those left adrift after rehab with little help to rebuild their lives — these stories reveal how easily care can stop short of compassion. Join Ali and Omar as they break down what went wrong, what these experiences say about healthcare today, and how small changes could make a world of difference.#AdvoSciHealth #TheRareTapes #PatientExperience #HealthEquity #HealthcareAccess #DoctorGoogle #MedicalInterpreter #RehabilitationCare #HealthcareSystem #HealthPodcast #PublicHealth #MedicalHumanities #PatientCenteredCare #HealthCommunication

In September 2025, world leaders endorsed the first-ever UN political declaration integrating noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health, a milestone that could reshape how governments, donors, and institutions prioritize funding, accountability, and national health strategies. In this episode, I explored and gave my opinion on what the declaration says, why it matters, which commitments are likely to become reality, and what lessons from past NCD efforts reveal about the challenges ahead. If you enjoyed this episode then please like, share, and comment whether we should continue focussing on more global topics.Links to respective documents:WHO Press ReleaseUN Assembly Declaration letter#GlobalHealth #NCDs #MentalHealth #UNDeclaration #HealthEquity #PublicHealth #Podcast #AdvoSciHealth

In this episode of the ASH Podcast, Ali and Omar unpack the lasting effects of COVID-19 on healthcare systems worldwide. From staff shortages and surgical backlogs to rising mental health concerns among healthcare workers, the pandemic reshaped how care is delivered — and many systems are still struggling to catch up. We explore what recovery looks like, why challenges persist, and what lessons can guide us in building stronger, more resilient healthcare systems for the future.#Healthcare #COVID19 #PandemicImpact #PublicHealth #HealthcareWorkers #HealthPolicy #GlobalHealth #MedicalPodcast #ASHpodcast #advoscihealth #advocacy

In this special episode of the ASH Podcast, we sit down with Abdullah Haris: a fellow incoming med student at TMU- as he shares his story of living with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) for the very first time publicly. Abdullah opens up about being recently declared legally blind, navigating stigma, and finding strength in visibility. We also dive into what RP is, the importance of advocacy, and the hope emerging from new research. This conversation isn’t just about a diagnosis. It’s about resilience, identity, and the future of medicine through a more inclusive lens.

In our latest Rare Tapes episode of the ASH Podcast, we step into the everyday frustrations patients face in the healthcare system; from endless hold lines, to referrals lost in the “black hole,” to appointments suddenly rescheduled months away. Through immersive storytelling and sound design, we bring these experiences to life, then break them down to uncover the real impact on patient safety, trust, and outcomes. Hosted by Omar and Ali, this episode dives into why these cracks in the system matter and explores what changes could actually make care more accessible and humane.

In this episode of the ASH Podcast, Omar and Ali break down the growing concerns around where Canadian health data is stored - and who really has access to it. From U.S.-based cloud servers to billion-dollar contracts with tech giants, we explore how health data storage impacts privacy, innovation, and rare disease care. What are the tradeoffs between progress and sovereignty? And how can we protect patient trust in a digital age? Tune in as we unpack the hidden systems behind your scans, symptoms, and stories - and why now is the time to demand transparency and action.

In this episode, we are fortunate to have another guest, Amal Qazi. Amal is the Managing Director of the "Medical Innovations and Global Health" (MIGH) Association part of the graduate school at McMaster University. MIGH is an interdisciplinary future-thinking association that is about to celebrate its 1 year anniversary, and we were fortunate to learn more about how the association was created and what it has to offer the graduate students at McMaster University.

In this episode we introduce a new format called "The Rare Tapes". In the first iteration of "The Rare Tapes" we go through 3 different scenarios focussing on doctor-patient interactions concerning symptom explanations and being believed, while also discussing the ramifications of these instances and our personal experiences.

In this episode we had our first guest of this new podcast series, Haris Ahmad. Haris is an incoming medical student who is passionate about the concepts food security and how that affects the everyday health of the average person. With the help of his family, friends, and community, Haris started a non-profit organization called Zero Food Waste Canada that "connects businesses with excess food to individuals and families who need it most. We facilitate the rescue and re-distribution of excess food from food providers".

An educational conversation on the Family Doctor shortage that currently plagues Canada. Discussion on current experiences, causes, and potential solutions.

In this episode, Cofounders Omar and Ali explore the origins of ASH, reminiscing over its inception and diving into the initiatives that made it the club it is today.

In this episode, a member of the AdvoSci Health team talked with Donna about her experience with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and the challenges she faced.

In this episode, three members of the AdvoSci Health team talked with Holly about her experience with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and the challenges she faced. 

In this episode three members of the AdvoSci Health team talked with Sara about her experience with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and the challenges she has faced.