SCAPHeR
Strengthening Capacity in Applied Public Health Research among Public Service Staff in GHPP Regions
Context
Governments in low- and middle-income countries face staff shortages in public health research due to limited resources. This limits their ability to address local health problems and contributes to increased mortality and morbidity. The project SCAPHeR builds on the GHPP project CARe and aims to strengthen applied public health research capacity in the WHO African (AFRO) and Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) regions. This includes improved research skills among public service staff, strengthened institutional capacity, completion of research projects, and establishment of sustainable communities of practice. For this purpose, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) collaborates with the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), the Ministries of Health in Namibia, and the Jordan Centre for Disease Control. Together they implement a blended train-the-trainer programme for 30 public service staff, who subsequently train colleagues in their institutions, and support eight collaborative research projects of local public health relevance. Projects are implemented by trainees with senior researchers from RKI and FIOCRUZ and supported through funding, mentoring, and dissemination activities.
Objective
Strengthened public health research capacity in the public service in selected low- and middle-income countries in WHO AFRO and EMRO
In Cooperation with
- Ministry of Health and Social Services Namibia (MoHSS, focal point for WHO Africa), Windhoek, Namibia
- Jordan Centre for Disease Control (JCDC, focal point for WHO Eastern Mediterranean), Amman, Jordan
- Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ, co-investigator), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Thematic priorities
Facts
Activities
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Research and provision of evidence
The project facilitates the development and implementation of eight collaborative research projects of local public health relevance. It provides funding, mentoring, peer exchange, and structured dissemination, ensuring both effective implementation and knowledge transfer. The projects are led by first-level trainees in close partnership with senior researchers from RKI and FIOCRUZ.
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Networking and cooperation
The Project fosters collaboration with international, regional, and local partners. These include national public health institutes (NPHIs), ministries of health in WHO AFRO and EMRO regions, Namibia’s MoHSS, the Jordan CDC, the FIOCRUZ in Brazil, and the International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI).
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Training and competence development
30 public service staff from WHO AFRO and EMRO regions are competitively selected and trained in research methods, applied public health research, research implementation and research leadership. Following the train-the-trainer approach, trainees are supported and mentored to train additional public service staff in their home institutions, thereby enhancing ownership and sustainability.
