TwiNit 2

Namibia-RKI Twinning Project: the next Phase in the Establishment of the Namibia Institute of Public Health

Preparation of clinical samples for PCR testing at the UNAM laboratory, Windhoek, Namibia, 2021 (Source: RKI)

Context

Namibia faces a number of public health challenges that threaten the health security of the country. Public health systems need to be able to respond to various, often simultaneously occurring health threats and emergencies. To function well, a single focal point that coordinates the public health activities of various public and private sector entities is highly beneficial. Coordination and leadership via one focal institution can prevent slow response times, duplication of effort and waste of resources. TwiNit 2.0 is a continuation of TwiNit with the long-term aim of enhancing the functioning of the Namibian public health system by establishing one main coordinating body, the Namibia Institute of Public Health (NIPH). This is a complex endeavour that requires the expertise and support of many technical areas. TwiNit 2.0 therefore brings together various projects under one umbrella, with interdisciplinary technical support in the following areas: (1) Epidemic preparedness and response, (2) Surveillance and health information systems, (3) Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health (MH), (4) Public Health laboratory support, and (5) Antimicrobial resistance and infection prevention and control. Establishing a well-functioning NIPH would help to consolidate public health functions at the national and subnational levels and, through the pooling of data and expertise, would facilitate coordination of public health efforts across sectors.

Objective

Supporting the establishment of the Namibia Institute of Public Health (NIPH).

In Cooperation with

  • Ministry of Health & Social Services (MoHSS), Namibia
  • University of Namibia (UNAM), Namibia
  • Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP), Namibia
  • Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Deutschland
  • Forschungszentrum Borstel, Leibniz Lungenzentrum (FZB), Germany

Thematic priorities

  • Digital solutions
  • Infection prevention and control
  • Laboratory diagnostics
  • Marketing authorisation and safety of medicinal products
  • One Health
  • Outbreak management
  • Resolutions and international agreements
  • Strengthening of public health systems
  • Surveillance and reporting

Facts

Duration

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2025

Budget

ca. 2,300,000 Euro

Partner Countries

  • Namibia

Implementing Institution

Robert Koch Institute

Contact

Dr Christian Winter
Robert Koch-Institut (RKI)
Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Deutschland
Email: WinterC@rki.de

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Activities

  • Training and competence development

    Training laboratory staff in sequencing techniques; training public health staff in emergency management and outbreak investigations.

  • Research and provision of evidence

    Supporting qualitative data collection on non-communicable diseases and mental health; monitoring and evaluation of data on antibiotic resistance, antibiotic consumption and hospital-associated infections in Namibia; supporting individual public health research projects.

  • Networking and cooperation

    Cooperation with many different partners to advance establishment of the NIPH; promoting virtual and in-person exchanges between Namibian and German stakeholders using the One Health approach; advising the MoHSS on establishing a One Health antimicrobial resistance (AMR) multisectoral working group.

  • Capacity development

    Developing an institutional and legal framework to establish the Namibia Institute of Public Health; strengthening epidemic preparedness and response through the development and implementation of a handbook and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre; supporting the health information system (HIS) in Namibia.