Page 37 – Public Health Update

Nepal Health Facts Sheet 2023

by Public Health Update November 23, 2023

The Nepal Health Facts Sheet 2023 presents the key achievements of health programs in the fiscal year 2079/80. The report highlights key milestones, providing a condensed narrative of the progression of the health sector in Nepal.

DOWNLOAD PDF FILE

November 23, 2023 0 comments

Progress of Health and Population Sector 2022/23 (2079/80 BS)

by Public Health Update November 23, 2023

written by Public Health Update

National Joint Annual Review (JAR) Report

The National Joint Annual Review (JAR) Report highlights major progress of health and population sector against the NHSS priority interventions under each of the nine outcomes over the NHSS implementation period (2015/16- 2022/23) including the last fiscal year 2022/23.

The report also presents progress against the action points of the last NJAR, and health related action points of policy and programme and Budget Speech. It summarises lessons learnt and suggests the way forward in alignment with the strategic objectives of the new sectoral strategic plan 2023-2030, endorsed in June 2023. The primary objective of this report is to inform the discussions during the NJAR 2023.

Summary will be updated soon.

Download PDF

Recommended readings

November 23, 2023 0 comments

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)National Plan, Policy & Guidelines Public Health Update Research & Publication

National Antimicrobial Treatment Guidelines 2023

by Public Health Update November 21, 2023

written by Public Health Update

Overview

The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) Nepal has released new guidelines on the National Antimicrobial Treatment Guidelines 2023. The National Antibiotic Treatment Guideline was initially released by the MoHP in 2014.

National Antibiotic Treatment Guideline-2014

The new guidelines aimed to address the emergence and spread of resistance, optimize the use of available antimicrobial agents, reduce selection pressure through appropriate control measures, change the behavior of prescribers and communities to ensure rational use, and combat AMR through nationally coordinated efforts. The updated version of the National Antimicrobial Treatment Guidelines aims to provide prescribers with the necessary guidance on selecting the right drug, dose, and duration for commonly encountered infectious conditions in Nepal.

The document incorporates the cumulative antibiogram from national AMR surveillance data, considers the availability and affordability of drugs in Nepal, references the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), and consults other national and international protocols and guidelines. Efforts have been made to prioritize antibiotics from the “Access” group (as per the WHO AWaRe Classification of antibiotics) as the first-line therapy whenever possible. It should be noted that this document adopts the WHO’s AWaRe classification.

Scope of the guideline

This document provides information to healthcare workers on the rational use of antibiotics for empirical or definitive treatment of commonly encountered infections in Nepal, as well as various prophylactic measures. However, it is not exhaustive and excludes infections for which national treatment protocols already exist.
This document will be regularly updated as new data becomes available.

Objectives

To offer guidance for the optimal use of antimicrobials in various infectious conditions and for prophylactic purposes, taking into account the cumulative antibiogram from National AMR surveillance.
To promote the preferential use of antimicrobials from the “Access” group, while ensuring judicious use of those from the “Watch” and “Reserve” groups.

Screen Shot 2023 11 21 at 20.36.50 — Antimicrobial Stewardship

General Principles

Empirical Therapy – Antibiotic treatment is considered empirical when it is administered in the absence of microbiological confirmation or while awaiting pending reports. Reevaluation of empirical antibiotics must be conducted after 48-72 hours and once the reports become available.

Important considerations

Determine if antibiotic therapy is necessary. Discontinue if the cause is determined to be non-infectious. Seek assistance
from the Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) team within the institution, if available.
Evaluate the possibility of using a narrow-spectrum antibiotic based on the reports. Consider de-escalating the antibiotics based on the clinical condition and available reports.

Assess if switching to monotherapy is appropriate (if initially using a combination).
Evaluate the feasibility of changing the route of administration to oral.
Adjust the dosage based on renal and hepatic functions, if necessary.
Check for potential drug interactions with other medications being used.
Determine if any laboratory parameters need monitoring during therapy.

These recommendations serve as a treatment guide and do not replace the clinical judgment of the responsible physician after a comprehensive assessment of each individual case.

Prescriptions should clearly include

Indication for antibiotic use.
Formulation; Capsule/Tablet or Injection.
Route of administration (e.g., IM or IV), infusion rate for IV, and dosing.
Start date, review date, stop date, or duration.

Consider implementing transmission-based precautions and isolation for patients with infectious diseases and drugresistant organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), drug-resistant tuberculosis (DRTB), Clostridioides difficile, etc.

Precautions to observe

Standard precautions: Practice proper hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, sharps safety, safe injection practices, use sterile instruments and devices, maintain clean and disinfected environmental surfaces, and use gloves and protective clothings. Use mouth, nose, and eye protection during procedures.
Contact precautions: Ensure appropriate patient placement, limit patient transport, use disposable or dedicated equipment, perform cleaning and disinfection of the room, and use gloves gown.
Droplet precautions: Have patients wear masks for source control, ensure appropriate patient placement, limit patient transport, and provide masks for healthcare personnel.
Airborne precautions: Ensure patients wear masks for source control, place them in isolation rooms, limit patient transport, restrict susceptible healthcare personnel from entering the room, and have healthcare personnel wear N-95 masks or higher level respirators.

Please note that these precautions are subject to local guidelines and protocols and may require additional measures based on the specific circumstances.

Download: National Antimicrobial Treatment Guidelines 2023

November 21, 2023 0 comments

Global Health News Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs)PH Important Day Public Health News Public Health Update World News

Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action 2023: Marking the Third Year of the Cervical Cancer Elimination Effort

by Public Health Update November 18, 2023

written by Public Health Update

On November 17, the WHO and stakeholders commemorate the anniversary of a historic global movement, marking the commitment of the world to eliminate a cancer.

Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action 2023: Marking the Third Year of the Cervical Cancer Elimination Effort.
– By Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia

As of 2020, the SEA Region accounted for a substantial portion of the global cervical cancer burden, with 200,000 new cases (32% of the global burden) and 100,000 deaths (34% of global fatalities), according to Global Cancer Observatory 2020. The global strategy for elimination was launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) in November 2020. Since the launch of the global strategy, Member States have demonstrated commendable political will, exemplified by the formulation and launch of elimination strategies at national level. The Interim targets within the three key pillars of the strategy are promising, viz:

HPV Vaccination Coverage: 90% of girls have been fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15.
Screening: 70% of women have undergone high-performance testing by age 35, with a repeat screening by age 45.
Access to Treatment: 90% of women with precancerous conditions receive timely treatment, and 90% of women diagnosed with invasive cancer are effectively managed.

Member States have made remarkable progress in preventing, screening, and managing cervical cancer. Under the Flagship Priority of “Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases through multisectoral policies and plans, with a focus on best buys,” cervical cancer prevention is one of the ‘best buys.’

Over the past three years, the South-East Asia Region has achieved several milestones in the elimination roadmap, marked by the development and implementation of strategic frameworks as

Regional Implementation Framework: A comprehensive plan for cervical cancer elimination as a public health problem covering the period 2021-2030.
Regional Vaccine Action Plan: Encompassing the years 2022–2030.
NCD Implementation Roadmap: Covering the period 2022-2030.
Regional Strategic Framework: Accelerating universal access to sexual and reproductive health for 2020–2024.

The SEA Region is among the pioneers in creating an implementation framework aligned with the global strategy for eliminating cervical cancer.

As of today, six Member States of the Region have introduced the HPV vaccine nationwide (Bhutan, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand), two Member States (India in Sikkim State and Bangladesh in Dhaka Division) have introduced it at sub-national level, two have planned introduction of the vaccine in 2023-24 (Nepal and Timor-Leste) while one (India) has plans to increase the scope of HPV vaccination by expanding its use to additional states. The coverage of HPV vaccination among the target girls in Bhutan has been high since 2017. Some of the other countries in the Region that faced challenges of HPV vaccine rollout during the COVID-19 pandemic are organizing catch-up vaccinations. Further, the WHO recommendation on one-dose schedule of HPV vaccination as an alternative to the two-dose schedule has been adopted by some Member States in the region.

On screening, ten out of 11 Member States reported national population-based screening programs, with nine providing early detection services at the primary health care level. Progress has been made in adopting HPV DNA screening, with Bhutan and Thailand leading in its utilization. However, achieving the 70% target by 2030 requires sustained efforts. However, a positive development is that screening has been included in essential service packages or UHC packages in several Member States.

Several Member States have established centers for managing cervical precancerous lesions, including colposcopy and thermal ablation methods. WHO support has played a pivotal role in capacity building and establishing treatment facilities. In 2022-23, WHO supported Timor-Leste in setting up the first-ever facility for treating precancerous lesions (Colposcopy and Thermal ablation) in the national hospital and expanding to three more colposcopy centers with thermal ablations. Bhutan and Myanmar were also supported in the expansion of these facilities.

Ten Member States in the region have tertiary-level cancer care. Pathology services for cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy and cancer surgeries are also available in ten countries. Nine countries have services for radiation therapy. With the aim of accelerating the scaling up of treatment services for invasive cancers, SEARO has established the South-East Asia Cancer Grid (SEACanGrid), which facilitates leveraging the strengths of one institution in building capacity of another across countries. Primary health care and community-based palliative care is expanding in the region, with exemplary initiatives in Bhutan, India and Sri Lanka. Population-based cancer registries are operational and being strengthened in eight Member States.

Ensuring all women have access to affordable and effective cervical cancer prevention and management services remains a priority. While ten out of 11 Member States report having pathology services for cancer diagnosis, cancer treatment facilities at tertiary levels, including surgical, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy services, are not universally accessible, especially among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. To address this, a robust health system through Universal Health Coverage is imperative, ensuring services are available without causing catastrophic expenditure to beneficiaries.

Despite setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to resume and strengthen HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening programs are underway.

It is crucial to emphasize that cervical cancer is a preventable and curable disease if detected early and treated adequately. The commitment and support of Member States extended during the Regional Committee meetings of WHO-SEARO to the global cervical cancer elimination initiative is unwavering, as demonstrated by dedicated discussions and agenda items during Regional Committee meetings held in 2019 and 2022.

Let us continue our collaborative efforts, navigate challenges, and propel the region towards the shared goal of eliminating cervical cancer.

November 18, 2023 0 comments

Global Health News Outbreak News PH Important Day Public Health News Public Health Update World News

World AMR Awareness Week 2023: Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together

by Public Health Update November 18, 2023

written by Public Health Update

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week: By Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to pose a significant challenge to global public health, with devastating effects on the efficacy of essential medicines and the ability to effectively treat infectious diseases. Several factors, including a high population density, limited access to healthcare services, and the misuse and exploitation of antimicrobials, make the South-East Asia region particularly prone to this threat.

AMR is directly responsible for approximately 1.27 million deaths annually worldwide, with current estimates placing the number of casualties in South Asia at 389 000. If no action is taken now, it is estimated that by 2050, ten million fatalities will occur annually on a global scale, costing the global economy a total of one hundred trillion dollars. By 2050, according to a report by the World Bank, antimicrobial resistance will be responsible for a decrease of up to 3.8% in global exports, a decrease of 7.5% per year in livestock production, and an increase of $1 trillion in healthcare-related costs.

Addressing AMR entails interdisciplinary collaboration that transcends geographical, professional, and disciplinary barriers. Therefore, our region has been taking proactive measures to combat AMR. In 2011, via the Jaipur Declaration on Antimicrobial Resistance, the health ministers of the region urged coordinated action against AMR. In 2014, the fight against AMR was elevated to Flagship Priority status. Since then, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been supporting Member States on implementation of AMR national action plans (NAPs) more effectively.

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is commemorated with the aim of enhancing awareness and comprehension of AMR while promoting optimal practices among the public, multisector stakeholders, and policymakers. This year, the WAAW has been rebranded as World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week by the Quadripartite organizations, which consist of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health organization (WHO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). The inclusion of the term “resistance” in the acronym “AMR” more accurately characterizes the difficulty we address.

The theme of this year’s World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) remains “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together”, as in 2022. This theme emphasizes the need for collective efforts across many sectors to promote the responsible utilization of antimicrobial agents and enhance preventive strategies aimed at combating AMR. It underscores the importance of adopting a collaborative approach based on the One Health framework. One Health is the recognition and understanding that the health of humans, animals, and the environment are interconnected and interdependent. This holistic approach considers the health of all living beings and the ecosystems they inhabit as interconnected and mutually influencing. It is imperative to foster collaboration among many sectors and stakeholders involved in the domains of human, terrestrial, and aquatic animal and plant health, as well as food and feed production and environmental conservation. This collaboration should encompass effective communication, strategic planning, and concerted efforts towards shared objectives.

In order to maintain and expedite progress, it is imperative to strengthen multisectoral coordination, which facilitates the development and implementation of policies and regulations related to AMR. Collaboration among different sectors allows for the alignment of policies, regulations, and guidelines, ensuring consistency and coherence in approaches across sectors. It enables the harmonization of surveillance systems, antimicrobial stewardship programmes, infection prevention and control measures, and the regulation of antimicrobial use in human and animal health.

Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance is not a responsibility that can be borne by any one individual, organization, or country. It is a collective effort that requires our unwavering commitment. Let us use this week to reflect on the importance of collaboration, learn from one another, and renew our determination to tackle this multi-faceted challenge head-on.

We are at a critical juncture in our fight against AMR, and the choices we make today will profoundly affect the health and well-being of generations to come. Let us embrace this World Antimicrobial Resistance Week with a renewed spirit of cooperation and a firm resolve to preserve these critical medicines for the betterment of humanity and the planet.

Together, we can make a difference, and together, we can prevent antimicrobial resistance.

November 18, 2023 0 comments

Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs)PH Important Day Public Health Public Health Update

World Diabetes Day 2023: Access to Diabetes Care

by Public Health Update November 13, 2023

written by Public Health Update

World Diabetes Day 2023: Access to Diabetes Care– By Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia

Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental human right, yet millions of people around the world still face significant barriers in accessing diabetes care. The theme for World Diabetes Day 2023, “Access to Diabetes Care” aligns with the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region’s NCD flagship.

Globally, around 422 million people have diabetes, and 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes every year. In the WHO South-East Asia Region, more than 96 million people are estimated to have diabetes. Diabetes and its complications (blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, and lower limb amputation) bring about substantial economic loss to people with diabetes and their families, and to health systems and national economies. This toll is manifested through direct medical expenses and the loss of work and wages. The predictions regarding the future economic burden of diabetes are as alarming as those regarding its future prevalence.
WHO South -East Asia Region has taken several measures to address this growing health challenge in alignment with the strategies of the WHO Global Diabetes Compact. The Seventy-sixth session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia endorsed the SEAHEARTS (WHO HEARTS package adaptation to SE Asia Region), to accelerate CVD risk reduction and to place 100 million people with diabetes and hypertension on protocol-based management by 2025. These interventions will enhance access to diabetes care and reinforce NCD services at the primary health care level.

Countries in the region have made commendable progress in reducing tobacco use and have taken various measures to promote physical activity, healthy diet, and the adoption of healthy lifestyle, which are essential for reducing the risk of diabetes. Access to diabetes care services continues to expand in the Region. India has placed more than 24 million people with hypertension and diabetes on standard care. Thailand has 3.4 million patients registered for diabetes treatment and having a control rate of 33 %. The WHO NCD Country Capacity Survey of 2021 has indicated that in most countries in the region, the essential medicines and technologies for diabetes management are ‘generally available’ in primary healthcare centers. Healthcare providers are being trained to prevent and manage diabetes using WHO’s technical package for diabetes, HEARTS-D, tailored to the national context. Emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence -based solutions, are being explored for the early detection of diabetes complications among enrolled patients.

Improving access to care for diabetes is a priority for the Region. WHO appeals to countries and stakeholders to take measures through several key avenues that includes:

First, it is imperative to scale up the efforts to reduce risk factors adopting a life course approach. This will need a ‘whole- of-society’ and ‘whole- of-government’ approach along with social participation.

Second, a focus on bridging the treatment gap and achieving better disease control among patients is essential. This can be achieved through application of treatment protocols delivered through trained caregivers, and equipping primary healthcare with advanced technology, including HbA1c testing for disease monitoring. Additionally, efforts should be enhanced to make diabetic drugs, including insulin, more affordable and accessible in primary health care.

Third, timely diagnosis and management of complications of diabetes, with a specific focus on high-risk individuals has to be taken up as part of the care continuum. Implementing up-to-date guidelines for early complication detection, establishing efficient referral pathways for patients to access higher-center evaluations, and enabling teleconsultation to enhance healthcare accessibility are critical components.

Fourth, implementing an information system that facilitates longitudinal monitoring and follow-up of individuals, and utilizing digital solutions to measure a minimal set of indicators, is critical. Furthermore, investment in research and technology to simplify self-care management is needed.

Diabetes care should be within reach, economical, and of high quality for all, irrespective of their socio-economic status or geographical location. It is a shared responsibility of everyone including governments, healthcare providers, and communities. Small investment today can lead to big gains in the future. This World Diabetes Day under the theme of Access to Diabetes Care, together, let’s strive to promote the key message “Know your risk, Know your response.”

November 13, 2023 0 comments

Digital Health & Health Informatics Global Health News Public Health News Public Health Update World News

Indonesia’s Statement on Digital Health during the AeHIN General Meeting, 2023

by Public Health Update November 9, 2023

written by Public Health Update

Indonesia’s Statement on Digital Health during the AeHIN General Meeting, 2023

Gathered in Jakarta from 6 to 9 November 2023 for the AeHIN General Meeting 2023, co-hosted by the Ministry of Health of the Republic Indonesia (Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia) , BPJS Kesehatan (BPJS Kesehatan), and AeHIN (Asia eHealth Information Network ), leaders, actors, and experts from diverse sectors convened to focus on digital health.

Drawing inspiration from nations’ experiences and needs, the event facilitated partnerships, networking, and knowledge exchange among attendees, including development partners, implementing agencies, academia, and communities.

With a shared vision for improving health outcomes, participants acknowledged the transformative power of digital health in enhancing sustainable development goals and health outcomes at both national and sub-national levels.

We hereby declare that:

We recognize the importance of increasing investments in digital health infrastructure and technologies, ensuring the accessibility and affordability of quality healthcare services for all, thus advancing towards universal health coverage.
We encourage development of digital competencies framework to strengthen the health workforce including emerging technologies like ethical and responsible artificial intelligence.
We recognize the significance of health data governance to ensure the secure, ethical, and efficient management of health and health-related data, fostering trust and integrity of personal data protection within the healthcare ecosystem.
We emphasize the importance of collaboration across diverse sectors and aligning with government visions and for donors to support these initiatives to amplify our impact, driving positive change and sustainable health system development.
We acknowledge the necessity of standardized practices and interoperable systems within digital health to ensure interoperability and promote the efficient exchange of information for improved patient care.
We affirm active engagement with regional digital health networks and communities of practice for fostering coordination, cooperation, collaboration, convergence, and coherence.
We encourage countries to set up sandboxes to strike the balance of innovation and regulation.

In closing, the Ministry of Health of the Republic Indonesia, BPJS Kesehatan, and AeHIN extend heartfelt gratitude to all delegates and to supporting partners for convening at the AeHIN General Meeting 2023. #AeHIN2023

Jakarta, November 8, 2023

November 9, 2023 0 comments

Grants and Funding Opportunities International Jobs & Opportunities PhD Public Health Opportunities Public Health Opportunity

PhD fellowship within the Complexity and Big Data Group

by Public Health Update November 9, 2023

written by Public Health Update

The University of Copenhagen is offering a PhD fellowship to commerce on March 1st, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The PhD fellow will be part of an interdisciplinary research group in Complexity and Big Data Epidemiology, which utilizes the opportunities nested within large and complex datasets, including nationwide registers.

Our research

University offers creative and stimulating working conditions in an international and interdisciplinary research environment. Health is a complex phenomenon, and we study the social and biological factors determining health and disease. We also aim to elucidate the underlying behavioral, psychological, and physiological mechanisms that might explain these effects. To embrace complexity in health, we actively explore new sources (e.g. smartphones) of ‘big data’, incorporate system theory thinking, leverage insights across disciplines, and explore the opportunities in citizen science with a direct societal engagement and impact.

Your job

The PhD fellow will be involved in the Young Sleep Program, which aims at studying the patterns, mechanisms, and dynamics underlying sleep health in young adults. The PhD fellow will be part of an interdisciplinary group of researchers working on the Young Sleep Program, and they will be responsible for scientific research related to health complexity, statistical analyses of large and complex datasets, scientific paper writing, teaching, and outreach activities within this project.

Sleep is essential for brain health, and the current increase in sleep problems among young adults is a major public health problem. Adolescence and young adulthood are formative years, and physiological and social vulnerability initiated during this period may have long-lasting effects on brain health and life trajectories. The causes and consequences of impaired sleep are complex, and fundamental questions on sleep problems among young adults remain unanswered. The Young Sleep Program will generate new insights into the increasing sleep problems among young adults. It involves identifying vulnerable sub-groups who can benefit from targeted intervention and identifying points for interventions. The program will zoom in on the two major issues related to sleep problem in young adults. One is on the massive and round-the-clock use of smartphones and the other is the complex relation between sleep and mental health problems. The program will build on data from the globally unique DANLIFE cohort, which includes comprehensive health, social, and environmental phenotyping of over 2 million individuals from birth to adulthood together with the detailed data from the SmartSleep study, which combines extensive repeated survey data, high-resolution sensor-driven smartphone data, and thorough clinical examinations. These unique life-course data will be analyzed using cutting-edge methodology from data science and epidemiology. The impact of hypothetical interventions will be simulated by systems science and econometric methods.

Principal supervisor is Professor Naja Hulvej Rod, Department of Public Health, nahuro@sund.ku.dk, Tel: +45 35 32 67 35

Start: March 1st, 2024

Duration: 3 years as a PhD student

Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:

Carrying out an independent research project under supervision.

Completing PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points.
Participating in active research environments including a stay at another research team.
Obtaining experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
Teaching and disseminating your knowledge.
Writing a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:

You have a master’s degree in epidemiology, data science, complexity science, computational science, medicine, social science, or related sciences. Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (two years).
You have a curious mind-set with a strong interest in public health and epidemiology, particularly sleep epidemiology.
It is preferable if you have some experience working with large and complex dataset.
You have proficient communication skills and a sincere interest in interdisciplinary teams.
You have excellent English skills, written and spoken.

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years. The start date is March 1, 2024 or after agreement.

The employment is conditioned upon the applicant’s successful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules on achieving the degree.

Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at approximately 28,900 DKK/Roughly 3,800 EUR (October 2023 level) plus pension.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure
Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)

2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position

3. Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science

4. Publication list (if possible)

Application deadline: 12 December 2023, 23.59pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.

Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You find information about the recruitment process at: http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicants will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.

OFFICIAL LINK

November 9, 2023 0 comments

Operational framework for climate resilient and low carbon health systems

Environmental Health & Climate Change Global Health News Public Health News Public Health Update World News

WHO unveils framework for climate resilient and low carbon health systems

by Public Health Update November 9, 2023

written by Public Health Update

Operational framework for building climate resilient and low carbon health systems

9 November 2023 –

Responding to rapidly changing climate, the World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled a new Operational framework for building climate resilient and low carbon health systems. Released in the lead up to the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate (COP-28), this comprehensive Framework is designed to enhance the resilience of health systems while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions to help safeguard the health of communities worldwide.

This document presents the World Health Organization Operational framework for building climate resilient and low carbon health systems. The framework’s goal is to increase the climate resilience of health systems to protect and improve the health of communities in an unstable and changing climate, while optimizing the use of resources and implementing strategies to reduce GHG emissions. It aims to contribute to the design of transformative health systems that can provide safe and quality care in a changing climate.

Implementation of the framework’s ten components would help health organizations, authorities, and programmes to be better able to anticipate, prevent, prepare for, and manage climate-related health risks and therefore decrease the burden of associated climate-sensitive health outcomes. Implementing low carbon health practices would contribute to climate change mitigation while also improving health outcomes. Achieving these aims is an important contribution to universal health coverage (UHC), global health security, and specific targets within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The document is a useful resource for decision-makers in health systems, including public health agencies, and other specialized institutions, and for decision-makers in health-determining sectors.

The Framework presents different pathways for health systems to strengthen their climate resilience and decarbonize depending on their overall performance, levels of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change and health capacity. This includes systems in low-income countries that need to increase energy access and health service provision to provide universal health coverage. Building climate resilient and low carbon health systems contributes to WHO’s commitment to providing safe, quality healthcare services while helping combat the root causes of climate change.

The key objectives of the WHO Framework are:

Guide health sector professionals in addressing climate-related health risks through collaboration;
Strengthen health system functions for climate resilience and low carbon health approaches;
Support development of specific interventions for climate risk reduction and emissions reduction; and
Define roles and responsibilities for health decision-makers in climate resilience.

The benefits of implementing this Framework extend far beyond the realm of health care. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing the resilience of health systems, we are contributing to the broader objectives of universal health coverage (UHC), global health security, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Framework components for building climate resilient and low carbon health systems

Component 1: Climate-transformative leadership and governance
Component 2: Climate-smart health workforce
Component 3: Assessments of climate and health risks and GHG emissions
Component 4: Integrated risks monitoring, early warning, and GHG emissions tracking
Component 5: Health and climate research
Component 6: Climate resilient and low carbon infrastructures, technologies, and supply chain
Component 7: Management of environmental determinants of health
Component 8: Climate-informed health programmes
Component 9: Climate-related emergency preparedness and management
Component 10: Sustainable climate and health financing

This framework provides the tools and validation for health systems to take action to build climate resilience and reduce carbon emissions. They also lead by example to protect people’s health and the environment, with immediate and long-term health benefits for all.

READ MORE: DOWNLOAD FRAMEWORK

November 9, 2023 0 comments

Communicable Diseases Fact Sheet Global Health News Health in Data Public Health News Public Health Update Reports World News

Global tuberculosis report 2023

by Public Health Update November 7, 2023

written by Public Health Update

The WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2023 provides a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the TB epidemic, and of progress in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease, at global, regional and country levels. This is done in the context of global TB commitments, strategies and targets.
The 2023 edition of the report is based primarily on data gathered by WHO from national ministries of health in annual rounds of data collection. In 2023, 192 countries and areas (out of 215) with more than 99% of the world’s population and TB cases reported data.

Facts

An estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with tuberculosis (TB) in 2021, an increase of 4.5% from 2020, and 1.6 million people died from TB (including 187 000 among HIV positive people).
The burden of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) also increased by 3% between 2020 and 2021, with 450 000 new cases of rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) in 2021.This is the first time in many years an increase has been reported in the number of people falling ill with TB and drug resistant TB.
TB services are among many others disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, but its impact on the TB response has been particularly severe.
The reported number of people newly diagnosed with TB fell from 7.1 million in 2019 to 5.8 million in 2020. There was a partial recovery to 6.4 million in 2021, but this was still well below pre-pandemic levels.
Reductions in the reported number of people diagnosed with TB suggest that the number of people with undiagnosed and untreated TB has grown, resulting first in an increased number of TB deaths and more community transmission of infection and then, with some lag-time, increased numbers of people developing TB.
The number of people provided with treatment for RR-TB and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) has also declined between 2019 and 2020. The reported number of people started on treatment for RR-TB in 2021 was 161 746, only about one in three of those in need.
The report notes a decline in global spending on essential TB services from US$6 billion in 2019 to US$5.4 billion in 2021, which is less than half of the global target of US$13 billion annually by 2022.
The main source is the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund).
The United States Government is the largest contributor of funding to the Global Fund and is also the largest bilateral donor; overall, it contributes close to 50% of international donor funding for TB.
In 2022, an estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with tuberculosis (TB) worldwide. 5.8million men, 3.5 million women and 1.3 million children.
A total of 1.3 million people died from TB in 2022 (including 167 000 people with HIV). Worldwide, TB is the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19 (above HIV and AIDS).
In 2022, the 30 high TB burden countries accounted for 87% of new TB cases. Eight countries account for two thirds of the total: Bangladesh, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Philippines.
In 2022, 1.3 million children fell ill with TB globally. Child and adolescent TB is often overlooked by health providers and can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
TB is the leading killer of people with HIV. Among all incident cases of TB in 2022, 6.3% were people living with HIV; this proportion has been steadily declining for several years. In 2022, 671 000 people living with HIV fell ill with TB, with the highest burden in countries in the WHO African Region.
The global coverage of HIV testing among people diagnosed with TB remained high in 2022, at 80%. The global coverage of antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV who were newly diagnosed and reported with TB was 85% in 2022.
Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a public health crisis and a health security threat. Only about 2 in 5 people with drug resistant TB accessed treatment in 2022. In some cases an even more severe form of multi-drug resistant TB may develop with bad treatment. Pre-extensively drug-resistant TB (pre-XDR-TB) and (XDR-TB) are forms of TB that responds to even fewer available medicines.
Global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 75 million lives since the year 2000, but important diagnostic and treatment gaps persist. The treatment success rate for people treated for TB with first-line regimens was 88% in 2021.
Globally, TB incidence rose by 3.9% between 2020 and 2022, reversing declines of about 2% per year for most of the past 2 decades. This is still slower than the 4–5% annual decline that was required to achieve the 2020 milestones of the WHO End TB Strategy, accelerating to 10% per year by 2025 and then to an average of 17% per year from 2025 to 2035.
Of the estimated 10.6 million people who fell ill with TB in 2022, only 7.5 million were detected and notified, leading to a gap of 3.1 million cases. Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is among the health targets of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Progress in reducing the burden of tuberculosis (TB) disease requires adequate funding sustained over many years, spending in low- and middle-income countries increased from US$ 5.4 billion in 2021 to US$ 5.8 billion in 2021. This falls far short of the target of US$ 13 billion per year by 2022 that was set at the first UN high-level meeting on TB. For research and development, at least an extra US$ 1 billion per year is needed to accelerate the development of new tools.

Download fact sheet

Download report Global tuberculosis report 2023

National Joint Annual Review (JAR) Report

Overview

Scope of the guideline

Objectives

General Principles

Important considerations

Operational framework for building climate resilient and low carbon health systems

Framework components for building climate resilient and low carbon health systems

Facts

Recommended readings

PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVE