SCIH Update |
April - May 2013
Primary Health Care and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
On April 10, 2013 the Swiss TPH annual Spring Symposium, this year on NCDs and primary health care, was held in Basel. Over 100 public health professional attended and preliminary feedback was that the event content was rich and interesting. The symposium was - as in the past - a good show case of experience generated by the Swiss TPH and its partners. More…
First Ukrainian Medical Simulation Centre Opened in Crimea
The Swiss-Ukraine Mother and Child Health Programme, supported by the Swiss Confederation, is investing in the establishment of four simulator supported medical skills training centres in the Ukraine. On May 30, 2013, the first simulation training centre was officially opened in Crimea Perinatal Centre in the Ukraine in the presence of high level politicians, leading perinatal professionals and the head of the Swiss Collaboration Office. The First Deputy Head of the President Administration opened the centre, stressing that simulation centres are a critical contribution to modernization and innovation for the Ukraine. Now health care professionals will be able to practice their responses to various delivery complications with the help of interactive manikins. More…
Cordaid Project Launched
The launch of the "Next Generation" project took place in early June in the three project locations: Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic Congo. The events brought together all international and national project partners, as well as government and civil society organisations that will be involved in the implementation of this large Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) project funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Implemented by a broad consortium of partners led by the Non-Government Organisation, Cordaid, the project focuses on improving the quality of adolescent SRH services and access to family planning within health and youth centres, schools, and at the community level. The Swiss TPH is leading the monitoring and evaluation and operations research components through a multidisciplinary team from the SCIH and Epidemiology and Public Health departments, and our Swiss TPH office in Bujumbura, Burundi. Several excellent colleagues have been recently recruited to work on this regional project, which will be a challenging yet very interesting endeavour.
SCD Researhc Fair
Research and innovation are important factors in reducing poverty and global risks, and securing global public goods in the context of sustainable development. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries (KFPE) jointly organised a Research Fair on June 5, 2013 in Bern to provide an opportunity for exchange and dialogue between science, policy, and practice. Experience gained within the Tajik-Swiss Health Reform and Family Medicine Services Project (Sino) was presented by the SCIH, showing that a development project can be used to generate relevant and operational research questions which can be addressed through distinct research activities. Since its inception in 2003, Sino’s activities resulted in: 11 peer-reviewed publications, one book chapter, five non peer-reviewed articles, one PhD and four MSc theses. In terms of policy and practice, the research results were translated into 19 policy briefs made available to key policy and decision makers. Results fed into the work of the health policy analysis unit of the Ministry of Health, as well as strategic exchanges, such as the joint annual health sector reviews in Tajikistan involving Tajik policy makers and the donor community.
Newly Awarded
“3ie Evidence Portal: Immunization Preparation of Content and Supporting Documentation”
A new one-year contract has been signed between 3ie (International Initiative for Impact Evaluation) and the SCIH. The project consists of the gathering, synthesis and presentation of evidence on a series of wide ranges questions related to immunisation and builds on the GAVI-Knowledge bank and the work done for the World Health Organization presenting user-friendly evidence on Rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccine. The project has already begun with a consultative process among immunisation stakeholders worldwide to fine-tune the pertinent questions to seek evidence for. The questions are based on the Terms of Reference drafted by 3ie and on the Global Vaccine Action Plan 2011-2020.
Baseline Study Mozambique
In March 2013 the Swiss TPH/SCIH was awarded a project entitled: “Baseline study, monitoring and evaluation support for the community participation and involvement plan” by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) to establishing a baseline for the local Provincial Health Directorate's community health strengthening in Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique. The baseline will facilitate monitoring of progress, evaluation of outcomes and potentially impact of efforts. The data gathered through the baseline studies will also inform the intervention strategies at the outset of the project so that they can be as strategically focused as possible. In addition, the project will propose ways to improve the national M&E system (Modelo Basico) in order to better monitor health promotion activities generally while strengthening national capacities and systems.
Publications
Schwarz J, Wyss K, Gulyamova Z, Sharipov S. 2013. Out-of-pocket expenditures for primary health care in Tajikistan: a time-trend analysis. BMC Health Services Research 13:103.
Available at: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/13/103
Willis N, Hill S, Kaufman J, Lewin S, Kis-Rigo J, De Castro Freire SB, Bosch-Capblanch X, Glenton C, Lin V, Robinson P, Wiysonge CS. "Communicate to vaccinate": the development of a taxonomy of communication interventions to improve routine childhood vaccination. BMC Int Health Hum Rights. 2013 May 11;13(1):23. doi: 10.1186/1472-698X-13-23. Available at: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-698X/13/23.
Joining the SCIH
Shalo Shakarova joined the Systems Support Unit on April 30, as a national coordinator for the Medical Education Project based in Tajikistan.
Yajna Elouard joined the Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit on May 6, to support the team in Bujumbura, Burundi. She will support the Great Lakes programmes with a focus on water and sanitation, operations research as well as strengthen the current team leaders in managing the Swiss TPH portfolio in the region.
Cyrille Dubois joined the Swiss TPH on May 13, as Deputy Head of the Systems Performance and Monitoring Unit (SPMU). A Medical Doctor with a business management background, Cyrille has 20 years of experience in managing large portfolios of international multi-stakeholders development and humanitarian programs. He has also eight years' experience working with the Global Fund as Portfolio Manager and then Regional Team Leader position for West & central Africa.
Ana Brou Santiago joined the SPMU team on May 13, as a junior procurement professional based in the Ivory Coast. Holder of a Masters Degree in Business Engineering and International Projects, and a Bachelor in Business Law, Ana has eight years of experience in supply chain management with African Health ministries and NGO’s. She will support our Local Fund Agent (LFA) service provision in different countries based on needs.
Janet Kimeu joined the SPMU team on May 13, as a junior procurement and supply management expert based in Senegal. Holder of a Bachelor degree in Pharmacy, Janet will support our LFA service provision in different countries as needed.