Dr. Foster who, as an epidemiologist for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ran the Smallpox Eradication Programs in West Africa and then later in Bangladesh told many vivid stories about when his team had succeed or failed to get science based public health policies adopted.  

To demonstrate that these challenges were not just confined to the developing world, Dr. Foster played a lecture about the challenges of getting the FDA to approve the use of niacin as a supplement to prevent the child deformity spinda bifida.

After the talk, Dr. Foster talked to the SNSP Fellows about the realities of working in the developing world.   He pointed out that even if you think your technology can change the world, you are not going to get anywhere unless you are able to convince the health decision-makers in the country.  Dr. Foster gave an example of his inability to get the support of a Minister of Health until he learned that the Minister only listened to new advice on Sunday mornings at his home. 

Dr. Stanley Foster:  In 1966, Dr. Foster was invited to join the CDCs new Smallpox Eradication Program. His family spent 4 years in Nigeria (1966-1970) and 4 years in Bangladesh (1972-1976) working with national health workers to eradicate smallpox. In 1977, he spent three months living with nomads in Somalia (the last smallpox epidemic country in the world.) In 1975 Dr. Foster confirmed and treated Rahima Banu, who was the last natural occurring case of severe smallpox (Variola Major) in the world.