University of Bergen
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PhD-position at Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, UiB

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

The University of Bergen (UiB) is an internationally recognised research university with more than 14,000 students and close to 3,500 employees at six faculties. The university is located in the heart of Bergen.

PhD-position (4 years)

We have a full-time PhD-postition available at the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care. The position is available for a period of four (4) years or max 4 months after completed the PhD-degree, if this is achieved within a short time than four years. The position include 25 % required duties such as teaching, exam work or supervision, depending on the demands at the department.

The position starts as soon as possible and is part of the project “Pesticides and exposures from traditional textile industry associated with own and offspring health in indigenous Guatemalan communities”, funded by the University of Bergen.

About the project/work tasks:

  • Supervise collection of data and samples in indigenous communities in Guatamala in contact with representatives of the local communities
  • First author publications on occupational and environmental risks, and their relation to health outcomes, based on the collected data and measurements from the collected samples
  • Contribute with practical work related to the biobank and measurements in collected samples
  • Provide information from the study process and results to the study participants and the local communities, and provide information from the study that can be used in policy briefs to stakeholders

Qualifications and personal qualities:

  • The applicant must hold a master’s degree or the equivalent in Global health
  • Experience from working with indigenous communities in Guatemala is essential
  • Experience from relevant research projects will be considered positive
  • The candidate should be able to work independently and in a structured manner, and have the ability to cooperate with others
  • The candidate must have the ability and motivation to carry out a PhD project
  • The applicant must be fluent in oral and written English, AND in oral and written Spanish
  • Applicants from guatemala will have preference

Applicant whose education is from another country than Norway, need to also attach a certified translation of the diploma and transcript of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is also required that the applicant enclose a review from the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) whether the education in question (bachelor and master’s degree) is of a scope and level that corresponds to the level of a Norwegian master’s degree. Please see https://hkdir.no/en/ for more information about HK-dir’s general recognition. The review from HK-dir may take some time and the application should be sent to HK-dir as soon as you have decided to apply for the position. If no answer within the application deadline, you must enclose documentation from HK-dir that they have received your application. Please note that the automatic recognition offered by HK-dir is not sufficient and will not be accepted as basis for admission to the PhD programme. Applicants with education from a Scandinavian country or medical degree from the EEA area and a license to practice medicine in Norway are exempt from the requirement for HK-dir assessment, see Admission requirements at the Faculty of Medicine | Faculty of Medicine | UiB

See documentation requirements for language qualifications: http://www.uib.no/en/med/115526/english-language-requirements-phd-admission

About the PhD position (applies to university PhD positions):

The duration of the PhD position is 4 years, of which 25 per cent of the time each year comprises required duties associated with research, teaching and dissemination of results. The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a recruitment position.

Organized research training (PhD program):

The candidate must take part in the University of Bergen approved PhD programme leading to the degree within a time limit of 3 years. You must have admission to the organized research training (PhD program) at the Faculty in order to qualify for the position. Application for admission to the PhD programme, including a project plan outline for the training plan must be submitted no later than three months after the date of commencement.

The PhD-position:

PhD-positions are fixed term positions. You cannot be employed in a PhD-position for more than one fixed term period at the same institution or have had similar employment at an institution in the region.

We can offer:

  • Exciting development opportunities as part of your role in a strong professional environment
  • Salary at NOK 540.500,- (Code 1017, pay grade 55) in the state salary scale. For applicants with at least one year of employment in a position as a General Practitioner or Dentist, salary NOK 557 100 (code 1017, pay grade 57). Medical specialist starts on salary NOK 575 400 (code 1017, pay grade 59)
  • Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
  • Good welfare benefits

Your application must include:

  • A brief account of the applicant’s research interests and motivation for applying for the position
  • Certified copies of diplomas and transcrips of grades
  • Applicant whose education is from another country than Norway, need to also attach a certified translation of the diploma and transcript of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is also required that the applicant enclose a review from HK-dir whether the education in question (bachelor and master degree) is of a scope and level that corresponds to the level of a Norwegian master’s degree. Please see https://hkdir.no/en/ for more information about HK-dir’s general recognition. This may take some time and we recommend you to apply as soon as you know you will apply for this position. If no answer within the application deadline, please enclose documentation from HK-dir that they have received your application
  • Documentation of language skills (English)
  • Complete list of publications and scientific work you want to be evaluated
  • Any publication in your name
  • Two references (name and contact information)

General information:

For further information please contact Cecilie Svanes, e-mail: cecilie.svanes@uib.no or cecilie.svanes@helse-bergen.no, phone: +47 90892762.

State employment shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions. Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

For further information about the recruitment process, click here.

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World Day for Safety and Health at Workplace
Global Health NewsPH Important DayPublic Health NewsPublic Health UpdateWorld News

World Day for Safety and Health at Workplace 2024

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

By Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia

We mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April every year to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. 

Our sister organization, the International Labour Organization (ILO), began to observe World Day in 2003 to raise the political profile of occupational health and safety, and to fulfil the integral ‘advocacy’ component of their Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health. 

Given that nearly 60% of the global population is engaged in work, the fundamental right of all workers to a safe and healthy environment is one of great importance. Consider how much of our lives are spent in our own workplaces, and it becomes apparent how workplace health and safety takes on the dimensions of a public health concern. 

Occupational health encompasses the physical, mental, and social well-being of workers, while preventing workplace-related hazards. Hazards can lead to occupational diseases that erode workers’ ability to participate in the workforce, and result in increased rates of long-term illness. World Health Organization (WHO) and ILO estimated that work-related diseases and injuries resulted in 1.88 million deaths in 2016. 

Our WHO South-East Asia Region (SEAR) faces a disproportionately high burden of work-related mortality, with 36.5 deaths per 100,000 of the working population. Occupational risks also rank as the third-largest environmental risk factor for disease estimates in our Region. Informal workers in our Region face significant challenges due to poor working conditions and limited social protection. They are disproportionately vulnerable to economic shocks and lack adequate workplace protections, exacerbating the impact of workplace injuries. 

The impact of climate change on occupational health has also recently emerged as a concern. Climate-related hazards, particularly extreme weather events, limit work output and duration, and pose risks to workers’ health and safety. 

Health and safety also goes beyond physical concerns. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need to address mental health issues in the workplace. A safe and healthy working environment supports mental health, and good mental health of course enables people to work productively. Issues such as depression and anxiety are pervasive in workplaces, impacting productivity and performance. When left untreated, the economic cost is estimated at US$1 trillion annually. 

Effective organizational policies, early detection of health issues, health screening, and preventive care contribute to a safety net and increase health awareness for workers. Ensuring better occupational health and safety rests on partnerships and collaboration. Our Regional Plan of Action for the WHO Global Strategy on Health, Environment, and Climate Change (2020-2030) emphasizes collaboration between health and labor ministries to comprehensively address occupational health. Collaboration between these health and employment sectors is crucial for protecting vulnerable segments of society. Non-contributory social protection systems are also essential for safeguarding informal workers from the economic consequences of workplace injuries. Occupational health must be prioritized in order to achieve sustainable growth, inclusive development, and resilience to climate change vulnerabilities – as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals. 

The need for creating positive healthy workplaces is self-evident. The returns of such endeavours positively impact businesses, organisations and societies collectively, and people individually.

[MEC id=”77145″]
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Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030
Global Health NewsPublic HealthPublic Health NewsPublic Health UpdateQuality Improvement & Infection PreventionWorld News

WHO launches first ever Patient Safety Rights Charter

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

WHO launched a Patient Safety Rights Charter at the Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety. It is the first Charter to outline patients’ rights in the context of safety, and will support stakeholders in formulating the legislation, policies and guidelines needed to ensure patient safety.

The 10 fundamental patient safety rights outlined in the Charter are the right to:

  1. Timely, effective and appropriate care;
  2. Safe health care processes and practices;
  3. Qualified and competent health workers;
  4. Safe medical products and their safe and rational use;
  5. Safe and secure health care facilities;
  6. Dignity, respect, non-discrimination, privacy and confidentiality;
  7. Information, education and supported decision making
  8. Access medical records;
  9. To be heard and fair resolution;
  10. Patient and family engagement.

Patient safety refers to the processes, procedures and cultures established in health systems which promote safety and minimise the risk of harm to patients.  Everyone has the right to safe health care, as established by international human rights standards, regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity or race, language, religion, disability, socioeconomic status or any other status.

The Charter covers 10 patient safety rights crucial to mitigate risks and prevent inadvertent harm, which includes the right to timely, effective, and appropriate care, the right to safe health care processes and practices, the right to qualified and competent staff and the right to patient and family engagement amongst others.

“Patient safety speaks to the first, fundamental principle of health care – ‘Do no harm’. Assuring patient safety is a global priority, and a critical component needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Patient safety can be seen as an indicator of countries’ broader commitment to respect, protect and fulfil health-related human rights” said WHO Director of Integrated Health Services, Dr Rudi Eggers.

“Everyone, everywhere, has the right to safety as a patient. The launch of the Charter is a tangible step forward in achieving a safer, more equitable world. The charter will be a key resource in assisting countries in integrating essential concepts such as patient and family engagement, equity, dignity, and access to information into their health care systems. Countries and all stakeholders are invited to adopt, disseminate and implement the Patient Safety Rights Charter” said the Head of Patient Safety Flagship Unit at WHO, Dr Neelam Dhingra.

Assuring patient safety in health care is a critical component in delivering the right to health. 1 in every 10 patients experience harm in healthcare; about 50% of this harm is preventable.

Patient safety can be compromised due to avoidable errors such as unsafe surgical procedures, medication errors, mis- or late diagnosis, poor injection practices, unsafe blood transfusion and the onset of life-threatening infections such as sepsis and other health care-associated infections.

Patient harm in health care is a global challenge. It occurs in countries of all income settings and at all levels of healthcare delivery. Harm to patients rarely results from a single incident, but due to process failures because of poorly designed health systems.  

Improving patient safety through systemic and systematic action is a global priority identified in the World Health Assembly resolution 72.6 – Global action on patient safety and the Global Patient Safety Action plan 2021-2030.

The Charter will provide healthcare workers, healthcare leaders and governments with the tools to build patient-centred healthcare systems, improving patient safety and reducing the risk of harm. Importantly, the charter will provide patients with language to advocate for themselves in healthcare settings, and will facilitate continued collaboration between patients, their families and caregivers, communities and health systems to ensure everyone has access to high-quality safe, health care. 

The Sixth Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety is hosted by the Government of Chile in Santiago, Chile on 17–18 April 2024. At the Summit, ministers, healthcare leaders and patient advocates will discuss how to bring change and sustain changes in patient safety policies and practices, the challenges and opportunities whilst implementing the Global Patient Safety Action Plan. 

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WHO benchmarks for strengthening health emergency capacities
Humanitarian Health & Emergency ResponseInternational Plan, Policy & GuidelinesPublic Health UpdateResearch & Publication

WHO benchmarks for strengthening health emergency capacities

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

Overview

Benchmarking is a strategic process often used by businesses and institutes to standardize performance in relation to the best practices of their sector. The World Health Organization (WHO) and partners have developed a tool with a list of benchmarks and corresponding suggested actions that can be applied to implement the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR) and strengthen health emergency prevention, preparedness, response and resilience capacities.

The first edition of the benchmarks was published in 2019 to support countries in developing, implementing and documenting progress of national IHR or health security plans (e.g. national action plan for health security (NAPHS), national action plan for emerging infectious diseases, public health emergencies and health security and other country level plans for health emergencies). The tool has been updated to incorporate lessons from COVID-19 and other health emergencies, to align with the updated IHR monitoring & evaluation framework (IHR MEF) tools and the health systems for health security framework, and to support strengthening health emergency prevention, preparedness, response and resilience (HEPR) capacities and the Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) initiative.

The benchmarks support implementation of IHR and HEPR capacities and are broad in nature to improve health security and integrate multisectoral actions at national and subnational levels, where appropriate. The benchmark actions are designed to provide guidance for capacity development to move up capacity levels as measured by the IHR MEF, including voluntary external evaluation such as the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) tool and the States Parties Self-assessment annual reporting tool (SPAR). Other assessment tools including the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway (from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)), the Dynamic Preparedness Metric (DPM), Universal Health and Preparedness Review (UHPR) and readiness assessments can also measure improvements in capacity, with the ultimate goal to sustain an optimal level of prevention, preparedness, response and resilience for health emergencies in the country.

Purpose of the benchmark tool

This document guides States Parties, partners, donors, international and national organizations, and other stakeholders on suggested actions to improve IHR and HEPR capacities for health emergencies. States Parties and other entities working to reduce the risk of global health threats can use the benchmarks and suggested actions in their national planning and investment processes to address gaps, including those identified by the IHR MEF, DPM, UHPR and other assessment tools.

The benchmarks can help countries delineate relevant steps to take to improve capacity in each technical area and document progress. The benchmarks are organized around five levels of capacity, from no capacity to sustainable capacity, mirroring the IHR MEF structure. The suggested actions at each level provide guidance to build the capacity needed to move up levels, starting at a country’s current level and working up to reach level five.

When to use the benchmark tool?

The tool should be used during a country’s planning process (such as national health plans, strategies and policies (NHPSP), NAPHS, hazard-focused plans, diseases specific plans, etc.) when a multisectoral and multidisciplinary planning team is identifying and prioritizing activities, when strengthening health.

Download: WHO benchmarks for strengthening health emergency capacities

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WHO recommends groundbreaking malaria vaccine for children at risk
Global Health NewsPublic Health NewsPublic Health UpdateWorld News

Major step in malaria prevention as three West African countries roll out vaccine

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

25 April, Cotonou/Freetown/Monrovia – In a significant step forward for malaria prevention in Africa, three countries—Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone—launched a large-scale rollout of the life-saving malaria vaccine targeting millions of children across the three West African nations. The vaccine rollout, announced on World Malaria Day, seeks to further scale up vaccine deployment in the African region. 

WHO recommends R21/Matrix-M vaccine for malaria prevention in updated advice on immunization

This launch brings to eight the number of countries on the continent to offer the malaria vaccine as part of the childhood immunization programmes, extending access to more comprehensive malaria prevention. Several of the more than 30 countries in the African region that have expressed interest in the vaccine are scheduled to roll it out in the next year through support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, as efforts continue to widen its deployment in the region in coordination with other prevention measures such as long-lasting insecticidal nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention. 

Benin, which received 215 900 doses, has added the malaria vaccine to its Expanded Programme on Immunization. The malaria vaccine should be provided in a schedule of 4 doses in children from around 5 months of age.

“The introduction of the malaria vaccine in the Expanded Programme on Immunization for our children is a major step forward in the fight against this scourge. I would like to reassure that the malaria vaccines are safe and effective and contribute to the protection of our children against this serious and fatal diseases,” said Prof Benjamin Hounkpatin, Minister of Health of Benin.

In Liberia, the vaccine was launched in the southern Rivercess County and will be rolled out afterwards in five other counties which have high malaria burden. At least 45 000 children are expected to benefit from the 112 000 doses of the available vaccine. 

“For far too long, malaria has stolen the laughter and dreams of our children. But today, with this vaccine and the unwavering commitment of our communities, healthcare workers and our partners, including GAVI, UNICEF and WHO, we break the chain. We have a powerful tool that will protect them from this devastating illness and related deaths, ensuring their right to health and a brighter future. Let’s end malaria in Liberia and pave the way for a healthier, more just society,” said Dr Louise Kpoto, Liberia’s Minister of Health.  

Two safe and effective vaccines — RTS,S and R21 — recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), are a breakthrough for child health and malaria control. A pilot malaria vaccine programme in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi reached over 2 million children from 2019 to 2023, showing a significant reduction in malaria illness and a 13% drop in overall child mortality and substantial reductions in hospitalizations. 

In Sierra Leone, the first doses were administered to children at a health centre in Western Area Rural where the authorities kicked off the rollout of 550 000 vaccine doses. The vaccine will then be delivered in health facilities nationwide. 

“With the new, safe and efficacious malaria vaccine, we now have an additional tool to fight this disease. In combination with insecticide-treated nets, effective diagnosis and treatment, and indoor spraying, no child should die from malaria infection,” said Dr Austin Demby, Minister of Health of Sierra Leone.

Malaria remains a huge health challenge in the African region, which is home to 11 countries that carry approximately 70% of the global burden of malaria. The region accounted for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of all malaria deaths in 2022, according to the World Malaria Report 2023.

“The African region is advancing in the rollout of the malaria vaccine – a game-changer in our fight against this deadly disease,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Working with our member states and partners, we’re supporting the ongoing efforts to save the lives of young children and lower the malaria burden in the region.” 

Aurelia Nguyen, Chief Programme Officer at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, noted: “Today we celebrate more children gaining access to a new lifesaving tool to fight one of Africa’s deadliest diseases. This introduction of malaria vaccines into routine programmes in Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone alongside other proven interventions will help save lives and offer relief to families, communities and hard-pressed health systems.”

Progress against malaria has stalled in these high-burden African countries since 2017 due to factors including climate change, humanitarian crises, low access to and insufficient quality of health services, gender-related barriers, biological threats such as insecticide and drug resistance and global economic crises. Fragile health systems and critical gaps in data and surveillance have compounded the challenge. 

To put malaria progress back on track, WHO recommends robust commitment to malaria responses at all levels, particularly in high-burden countries; greater domestic and international funding; science and data-driven malaria responses; urgent action on the health impacts of climate change; harnessing research and innovation; as well as strong partnerships for coordinated responses. WHO is also calling attention to addressing delays in malaria programme implementation. 
WHO

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WHO prequalifies new oral simplified vaccine for cholera
Communicable DiseasesGlobal Health NewsPublic Health NewsPublic Health UpdateVaccine Preventable DiseasesWorld News

WHO prequalifies new oral simplified vaccine for cholera

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

A new oral vaccine for cholera has received prequalification by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 12 April. The inactivated oral vaccine Euvichol-S has a similar efficacy to existing vaccines but a simplified formulation, allowing opportunities to rapidly increase production capacity.

VACCINES DEVELOPMENT PROCESS & CLINICAL TRIALS

“The new vaccine is the third product of the same family of vaccines we have for cholera in our WHO prequalification list,” said Dr Rogerio Gaspar, Director of the WHO Department for Regulation and Prequalification. “The new prequalification is hoped to enable a rapid increase in production and supply which many communities battling with cholera outbreaks urgently need.”

WHO prequalification list already includes Euvichol and Euvichol-Plus inactivated oral cholera vaccines produced by EuBiologicals Co., Ltd, Republic of Korea, which also produces the new vaccine Euvichol-S.  

Vaccines provide the fastest intervention to prevent, limit and control cholera outbreaks but supplies have been at the lowest point amidst countries facing dire shortcomings in other areas of cholera prevention and management such as safe water, hygiene and sanitation. 

National Immunization Schedule, Nepal (Updated)

There were 473 000 cholera cases reported to WHO in 2022 — double the number from 2021. Further increase of cases by 700 000 was estimated for 2023. Currently, 23 countries are reporting cholera outbreaks with most severe impacts seen in the Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Somalia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

WHO News

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Call for Research ParticipantsNotice

Call for Research Participants: Public Health Competencies in Nepal: Current Status and Way Forward

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

The Consortium of Academic Institutions for Public Health in Nepal (CAIPHEN) is currently conducting a study titled “Public Health Competencies in Nepal: Current Status and Way Forward.” As part of research, CAIPHEN has been reviewing the curriculum and conducting qualitative studies to explore the perspectives of both government and non-government bodies on the competencies required for effective public health practice.

In addition to these objectives, CAIPHEN is also conducting a survey to:

  • Assess the perceived public health competencies of recent graduates and their application in their work.
  • Describe the existing status of public health graduates in Nepal.

The survey involves answering a few questions about their experiences and their existing status related to public health competency.

Survey Link 1: If you are a public health graduate (undergraduate or postgraduate) who graduated between 2019 and 2020, please use the following link to participate in this study: https://ee-eu.kobotoolbox.org/x/QScSNvvp

Survey Link 2: If you are a public health graduate (undergraduate/postgraduate), passed out after 2021, please use this link to participate in this study: https://ee-eu.kobotoolbox.org/x/ynsk78Ce

For more information about this research, feel free to contact: Anjali Joshi, Kathmandu University school of Medical Sciences (KUSMS), 9861161970 anjalijoshi @kusms.edu.np

Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals

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Global Tuberculosis Programme
Call for Proposal, EOI & RFPCommunicable DiseasesGrants and Funding OpportunitiesInternational Jobs & OpportunitiesPublic Health OpportunitiesPublic Health Opportunity

Call for expression of interest: Mobilizing young people in the fight to End TB: WHO 1+1 Initiative

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

12 April 2024 | Geneva The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Programme is launching a call for expressions of interest, seeking collaborators to design and conduct a series of youth engagement campaigns in selected countries on ending TB.

The WHO’s Global TB Programme has been leading efforts to engage young people in efforts to end TB through WHO’s 1+1 Youth Initiative. Over 30,000 young people have been engaged to date through the initiative which aims to advance engagement with young people and amplify their voices to end TB and was launched as part of the global multi-stakeholder and multisectoral platform. Youth can have a multiplier effect in the fight to end TB, to accelerate progress towards reaching the ambitious goal of ending TB by 2030, as included in the WHO End TB Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Following the commitments made by Heads of State at the 2023 UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting to accelerate progress to end TB, in 2024, the focus shifts to turning these commitments into tangible actions. Recognizing the contribution and participation of young people as important stakeholders in this global efforts, the engagement of young leaders will be expanded to support countries in implementing the commitments made by Heads of State to accelerate the TB response and reach targets.

In the drive for meaningful youth engagement, it is critical to identify successful practices and opportunities for the implementation and sustainability of integrated approaches. To this end, WHO is seeking expressions of interest from youth led organizations, academic institutions or other entities with relevant expertise and documented experience in conducting youth engagement campaigns. The selected collaborator should be able to work independently as well as to interact regularly and collaboratively with staff from the WHO’s Global Tuberculosis Programme team and other technical experts, as required.

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • The applicant needs to be an officially registered organization, preferably youth-led organizations, or other entities with a proven track record of working in the field of youth mobilization.
  • The applicant should have demonstrated experience working in low-resource settings, preferably on TB issues.
  • Evidence of a strong history of advocating through youth mobilization for policies and initiatives that address public health issues, especially focus on TB. This can be demonstrated through past projects, advocacy campaigns, or collaborations with relevant stakeholders.
  • A documented history of successful collaboration with National Health Programmes (preferably on TB) and WHO or other UN agencies in country. This could include joint projects, workshops, or participation in national level health promotion related campaigns.
  • Proven experience in working effectively and efficiently within resource-constrained environments, demonstrating the ability to adapt programming and deliver impactful results with limited resources.
  • A track record of engaging a wide audience and effectively utilizing communication channels for health promotion, especially social media. This includes experience utilizing platforms like WHO’s training platforms and a proven ability to build the capacity of others in health promotion advocacy through training programs or mentorship initiatives.

How to apply

All prospective applicants need to submit an expression of interest [i.e. Youth Engagement Campaigns in selected countries Proposal] of not more than 5 pages, comprising a detailed description of how the collaborator will undertake the campaign plan and execute the tasks as specified.

In addition to the proposal, all applicants must submit a brief introduction or background information of their organization or institution, not more than 2 pages and a proof document to identify as an officially registered organization.

The expressions of interest received will go through a review process and the selected collaborator will be notified on completion of the review process.

Please send your submissions to the WHO Global Tuberculosis Programme at gtbprogramme@who.int and Ms Wang Yi at ywang@who.int. The deadline for expressions of interest is 22 April 2024.

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Public Health UpdateReports

A Country Report on Measuring access to Assistive technology (AT) in Nepal

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

Background

Evidence based research findings on the use, need and unmet need is a key metric for planning and improving access to Assistive Products (AP). It is estimated that only 5-15% of people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) who need assistive technology (AT) have access to them with few availabilities, affordability and trained personnel. In Nepal, accurate data on the needs of AP is still not yet known. With a growing population of older age, increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Nepal, the number of people needing AT is certain to rise. Therefore, the study aims to measure access to AT in Nepal.

Methods

A nationwide population-based household survey was conducted from 7 December 2021 to 27 December 2021 using the WHO rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA) questionnaire. Two-stage cluster sampling technique process was used to select 2970 households and the total number of participants interviewed was 11, 230. Participants included all the family members of the selected household. Complex survey analysis was performed using SPSS version 21 and the data was presented using frequency and percentage (weighted).

Key Findings

  • The mean age of the total participants was 34±21.5 year. More than half of the participants (52.6%) were female. Majority of the sampled population (55.3%) were from rural areas.
  • Majority of the participants (57.9%) had no difficulty followed by 28.4% of the participants who had some level of difficulty in doing certain activities because of a health condition. At least some level of difficulty was seen highest in seeing/vision domain (32%) followed by mobility (16.9%). Overall functional difficulties increased with increase in age. Almost half of the participants (46.4%) aged >65 years had some level of difficulty. Participants living in urban areas had more difficulty level (42.4%) as compared to the ones living in rural areas (34.8%). Majority of the participants living in Bagmati province (42.8%) had at least some level of difficulty as compared to other provinces.
  • The prevalence of use of any AP currently was found to be 27.7%. Among the participants who could not do any activities without assistance, more than half of them (51.6%) used any AP. Use of AP increased with increase in age: half of the participants aged >65 years (50.6%) used any AP. The use of AP was seen higher in urban areas (28.2%) as compared to rural areas (15.1%). The use of AP was seen highest in Bagmati province (28.9%) as compared to other provinces.
  • The prevalence of unmet need was reported to be 19.7%. Unmet need increased with increase in level of functional difficulties: 70.9% of the participants who could not do any activities without assistance had unmet needs of AP. Almost eighteen percent (17.6%) of the male participants and more than one-fifth (21.4%) of the female participants had unmet needs of AP. Unmet needs also increased with increase in age: more than half of the participants aged >65 years (51.7%) had unmet needs of AP.
  • Participants living in rural areas have more unmet needs of AP (21.3%) as compared to participants living in rural areas (19.6%). The prevalence of unmet needs was seen highest in Madhesh province (21%) followed by Sudurpaschim province (20.1%) and Province 1 (20%).
  • The prevalence of use of spectacles was seen highest (22.3%) among the total sampled population followed by canes/sticks (3.3%) and spinal orthoses (1.8%). In all seven provinces, the most commonly used assistive product was spectacles.
  • Among the total sampled population, the unmet need of AP was seen highest in spectacles (10.1%) followed by spinal orthoses (4.8%) and hearing aids (3.4%). In all seven provinces, the unmet need of AP was highest for spectacles.
  • Among the participants who use any AP, the AP were predominantly sourced from private sector (64.3%) followed by public sector (22.0%).
  • More than half of the participants (57.1%) obtained their AP through out-of-pocket expenditure followed by friends/family (38.9%) who paid for their AP.
  • Among the participants who use any AP, most of them (62.8%) travelled <5km followed by one-fifth of the participants (24.7%) who travelled 6-25km to get their AP.
  • Nearly two-third (63.6%) of the participants living in urban areas had to travel <5km to obtain their AP whereas majority of the participants living in rural areas (32.4%) had to travel 6-25km.
  • Among the participants who had unmet needs of AP, majority of them reported that they did not have enough support (41.5%) followed by unaffordability (39.2%) and lack of time (36.2%) for not having the product needed.
  • Majority of the participants living in urban areas reported lack of support (42.1%) as the reasons for not having AP whereas participants living in rural areas reported unaffordability (59.3%) as the reasons for not having AP.
  • Among the participants who use any AP, more than ninety percent (91.2%) reported that they are satisfied with respect to the products they use, nearly three-fourth (70.6%) reported that they are satisfied with the assessment and training they had received, and more than three-fourth (78.1%) reported that they are satisfied with respect to repair, maintenance, and follow-up services.
  • Nearly two-fifth (39.3%) of the participants who use any AP reported that the AP was mostly suitable for their home and surroundings. Majority of the participants (34.9%) reported that the AP completely helped individuals to do what they want (usability).
  • Among the participants who use any AP, majority of them (42.4%) reported that the AP could be completely used as much as they wanted in places; they needed to visit such as schools, workplaces, and public spaces.

Conclusion

The nationwide rATA survey has demonstrated clear gaps in access to assistive products in Nepal with high prevalence of use and unmet needs. It is transparent from the findings of the survey that functional difficulties, use and unmet needs of AP is seen higher in older age group. Functional difficulties and use of AP is seen higher in participants living in urban areas, however, the unmet need of AP is seen higher in rural areas. Lack of support, unaffordability and lack of time remains the main barrier to access AP. Therefore, the survey calls for creative solutions to improve access to assistive products that can be easily sourced, is accessible and affordable and suitable to be used.

Download report

Paudel KP, Gyanwali P, Dahal S, Bista B, Baskota R, Das CL, Marasini RP, Baral RP, Napit P, Shrestha N, Aryal UR, Koirala P, Marahatta K, Pokhrel S, Shrestha A, Dhimal M (2023). Measuring access to Assistive Technology in Nepal: A Country Report. Kathmandu: Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal Health Research Council and World Health Organization, Nepal.

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Advanced Module Public Health Systems Challenges and Opportunities: The Case of Nepal
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Advanced Module Public Health Systems Challenges and Opportunities: The Case of Nepal

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

‘Public Health Systems – Challenges and Opportunities: The Case of Nepal’ has been accredited by tropEd Network for Higher Education Institutions in International Health.

Explore the dynamic landscape of Public Health Systems with our comprehensive course designed to empower professionals and students! The course takes place at the Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Nepal, from April 29 to May 03 and delves into the intricate workings of public health systems, examining healthcare financing, epidemiology, health policy, and more. Join us in unraveling the complexities of public health and positioning yourself as a leader in promoting health equity and well-being for all.  Registration by April 14. For more information, click here.

Overview

Next Dates: April 29 – May 03, 2024
Course Language: English
Registration: Registration is open. Please register here.
Registration Deadline: April 14, 2024
Course credits: 3 ECTS
Costs: EUR 600 (plus additional personal travel and accommodation costs) (FREE FOR NEPALESE: sudarshanpaudel@pahs.edu.np)
Location: Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Nepal

Content:

  • An overview of the Public Health delivery system in Nepal
  • Comparison of health care systems in different resource settings
  • Health related challenges from supply side and demand side
  • Public health interventions to address health problems
  • Socio-cultural determinants of health care seeking behaviour in Nepal

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the module, the participants will be able to:

  • describe the health care delivery system in Nepal,
  • identify major sources of health-related information,
  • explain major health problems including challenges and opportunities to address these problems,
  • identify socio-cultural aspects of care seeking, service delivery and health behaviors,
  • identify innovations and initiatives to address health problems both from supply side and demand side,
  • compare problems and challenges of health care systems in developed and developing countries, and
  • assess and discuss possible health system solutions in a resource-constrained system.

Registration:

If you would like to participate, please register here.

Cancellation policy: For cancellations made before the registration deadline, a non-refundable fee of 100 EUR will be charged. For cancellations made after the registration deadline until the course start, a non-refundable fee of 300 EUR will be charged. In case of no-shows or cancellations from the start of the course, the full course fee will be charged.

Course Coordinators in Nepal:

Sudarshan Paudel – Patan Academy of Health Sciences (Nepal)
Prof. Madhusudan Subedi – Patan Academy of Health Sciences (Nepal)
Dr. Deepak Paudel – Save the Children (Nepal)

All correspondence (inquiries, organisation and registration) via the Teaching & Training Unit in Munich, ttu@lrz.uni-muenchen.de

OFFICIAL INFORMATION: CIHLMU

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