Peer to Peer: Learning from Each Other


One of IANPHI's distinctive features and strengths is a peer-assistance approach that facilitates sharing of expertise and experience among member NPHIs. The model clearly benefits the recipient NPHI by identifying strategies to address priority needs and raising standards of performance for organizing and conducting public health functions. But it rewards the contributing institute as well by sharing skills and assets to benefit others while also linking resources and solutions to address regional and global health threats and opportunities.

For the network of IANPHI members, the model provides unique opportunities for NPHIs to link with others that are geographically or linguistically similar or are struggling with similar technical or programmatic issues, such as information system development or pandemic preparedness. This collaborative approach also provides a platform for developing research or programs to address shared issues, whether laboratory safety or avian influenza, tobacco use or injury.

Kenya and Canada: Study Tour

With support from IANPHI, Kenya's Ministry of Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) have joined together in a peer-to-peer partnership. PHAC, established in 2004 in response to concerns about the capacity of Canada's public health system to anticipate and respond effectively to public health threats, is currently hosting a delegation from the Kenyan Ministry's recently created Directorate of Preventive and Promotive Health Services (DPPHS) in a study tour.

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Peru and Bolivia: INLASA Partnership

In April 2014, representatives from the Bolivian National Institute of Health Laboratories (INLASA) visited Peru to learn more about the Peruvian National Institute of Health (INS) and its development and operation as a national public health institute. Peru's INS has agreed to provide technical assistance to Bolivia's INLASA as it assesses its public health system, develops a strategic plan, and establishes priorities for improving the operation and interaction of various areas including laboratory diagnosis, disease surveillance, and research. A long-term twinning relationship is envisioned with expert exchange, training and/or other activities funded by IANPHI. To learn more about the INS-INLASA partnership, visit the Peru INS website.

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Norway and Malawi: Peer-to-Peer Organizational Development

With the support and partnership of IANPHI, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) continues to foster its partnership with the newly established Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM). At a collaborative workshop held in Oslo in February 2014, IANPHI and NIPH provided technical assistance to a delegation of leaders from PHIM as they transition to become a strong national public health institute. The ongoing partnership will between PHIM and NIPH is a capacity-building initiative focused on developing PHIM to become a central institution for evidence-based public health in Malawi and exploring opportunities for scientific and operational collaboration. The alliance has three main focus areas: developing public health surveillance, disease prevention, and response systems; developing the public health reference lab; and exchanging knowledge and best practices on communication, financing, and NPHI administration.

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UK and Kenya: Science-to-Policy Expertise

Public Health England (PHE) hosted a member of the Kenyan NPHI leadership team for training in the communication skills and tools needed to bridge the gap between science and policy. The visit also laid the groundwork for an ongoing collaboration focused on best practices in creating a new NPHI based on the UK's recent experience in establishment of PHE and in anticipation of the efforts in Kenya to develop the new Kenyan National Public Health Institute.

Morocco and Togo: Faster, More Accurate Data

Strengthening information systems is an important priority for every NPHI. Under the leadership of Professor Mohammed Hassar, director general emeritus of Morocco's Institute Pasteur (IPM), an IP team visited Togo's National Institute of Health (INH) to assess the current information system and make recommendations for improvements. In addition to short-term solutions, the team developed longer term recommendations on infrastructure, software, procedures, and training. IPM has generously pledged continuing support and mentoring to colleagues in Togo, as well as help in identifying other partners and donors to support implementation of the information systems plan.

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UK and Uganda: Communications and Advocacy

The Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) has spent the past 80 years helping protect and promote the health of the people of Uganda through science, technology, and innovation. But most Ugandans don't know the core business and contributions of UVRI. Now in partnership with Public Health England (PHE), UVRI is working to boost its visibility and influence. A PHE communications team visited UVRI to conduct an in-depth needs assessment, and with UVRI staff jointly developed a dynamic communications strategy. The PHE team is helping UVRI set its objectives in motion and is laying the foundation for a long-term mentoring relationship between the two IANPHI member institutes.

France and Togo: Epidemic Intelligence and Disease Surveillance

In October 2013, France's Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) welcomed a public health leadership team from Togo's National Institute of Health (INH). The goal was to support INH in strengthening its capacity in epidemic intelligence and public health surveillance. The visit addressed the general goal of strengthening Togo's capacity to address longstanding public health issues as well as new and emerging conditions such as NCDs and injury.

France and Togo/Cote d'Ivoire: Influencing Policy through Publication

In April 2013, Dr. Jean-Claude Desenclos, deputy director for science of France's InVS, trained 19 West African scientists on scientific research and publication. Spanning a range of disciplines and affiliations epidemiologists, biologists, and laboratorians from Togo and neighboring Cote d'Ivoire their diversity of experience was ideal for network building. All wanted to learn the basic principles of scientific writing and publish findings that could influence policies in their countries. In follow-up, teams of researchers worked on protocols with the goal of publishing their research, with IANPHI underwriting data collection, analysis, and policy development.

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Sierra Leone/Mozambique/Uganda: Establishing an NPHI and the Lessons Learned

Key officials from the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health met with leaders from the National Institute of Health in Mozambique and Uganda's National Institute of Public Health in March 2017 to learn from each of their unique and similar experiences when establishing and growing their respective public health institutes.

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