From expedition medicine to marine conservation: one doctor’s journey

Working as an expedition medic for Blue Ventures in southwest Madagascar, Exeter based GP Vik Mohan uncovered a huge unmet need for health care among coastal communities. Through integrating health services into Blue Ventures’ existing conservation efforts, he witnessed how improved health enabled these communities to better engage in marine conservation. Working to ensure as many people as possible benefit from this multisector approach to community development and biodiversity conservation, this approach is currently reaching 500,000 people across five countries.

Vik’s talk, in which he shares his experiences of integrating health care with conservation, will appeal to any health care professional who wants to help tackle global health inequality, and who wants to use their skills to serve the world’s hardest to reach communities. Vik will make a compelling case for thinking holistically about human and environmental wellbeing, sharing principles that are applicable to every aspect of health care.