TwiNit: Twinning Project for the Establishment of the Namibia Institute for Public Health
Strengthening Public Health in Namibia
Short Description
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) was requested by the Government of Namibia to assist in the development and implementation of a “Namibia Institute for Public Health” (NIPH). The following areas were identified as the focus for cooperation between the Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services and the RKI in the form of a Twinning-Project:
1. Public Health Information and Surveillance Systems
Surveillance of infectious diseases, support of an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) and other crisis management systems and plans, including possible measures for (early) crisis detection and response (outbreak investigations, risk assessments and response mechanisms, such as Rapid Response Teams)
2. Public Health Laboratory Development
Establishment of a central training and development laboratory at the University of Namibia (UNAM) and an integrated data processing system for surveillance and laboratory data, the implementation of integrated data systems between NIPH, the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) and the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) are the main focus of this part.
3. Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (FELTP)
Strengthening and consolidation of the existing FELTP for the development of qualified health personnel. The long-term goal is to transfer the organisation and management of the programme in NIPH’s responsibility.
At RKI, the project is coordinated by the Information Centre for International Health Protection (ZIG 1) and implemented together with the Surveillance Unit (FG32), Postgraduate Training in Applied Epidemiology (PAE), and Public Health Laboratory Support (ZIG 4).
Objectives
1. Public Health Information and Surveillance Systems
Support for the future NIPH to improve national surveillance, alert and crisis management systems with regard to infectious diseases, with strengthening of intersectoral coordination and cooperation.
2. Public Health Laboratory Development
Establishment of a “Namibia Research and Training Laboratory” (NRTL), which serves as a connecting element between NIP, CVL and NIPH through a common development and training platform.
3. Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (FELTP)
Strengthening the Namibian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (NamFELTP) to foster sustainable education and training of public health workers in Namibia