PHA-Exchange> NEW WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION HEALTH LEADERS TRAINING PROGRAMME GETS UNDERWAY WITH MAJOR GRANT

[claudio at hcmc.netnam.vn]

From: 	Judith Ladinsky <jlladins at wisc.edu>
> * NEW WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION HEALTH LEADERS TRAINING PROGRAMME GETS 
> UNDER WAY WITH MAJOR GRANT**
> *
>
> *Geneva* - The World Health Organization's (WHO) new programme to 
> train the next generation of health leaders is now taking  
> applications from around the world. The Health Leadership Service aims 
> to equip dozens of people to lead on improving public health, 
> particularly in developing countries. A grant of US$ 5 million from 
> the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation provides funding for this programme 
> over four years.
>
> "We are delighted that this important work is beginning," said Dr LEE 
> Jong-wook, WHO Director-General. "In the face of today's global 
> challenges of poverty, inequities, disease and epidemics, there is an 
> increasing demand for dynamic health leaders with sound technical 
> skills. This programme will help meet this demand."
>
> "We're very pleased to support WHO's efforts to develop a new 
> generation of global health leaders," said Dr David Fleming, director 
> of the Gates Foundation's Global Health Strategies programme.  "By 
> training some of the world's brightest young public health 
> professionals, the Health Leadership Service will help build a strong 
> foundation for the future of health in the developing world."
>
> WHO is accepting applications for the programme now, for courses 
> beginning early in 2005. The first phase of the programme aims to 
> train between eight and 10 young public health professionals over a 
> two-year period. The funds will be used to enrol people who already 
> have public health related backgrounds into a programme which combines 
> formal training with supervised practical work.
>
> They will initially spend four weeks at WHO headquarters in Geneva and 
> will then travel to one of WHO's country or regional offices, where 
> they will work on specific technical projects, supervised by WHO staff 
> in countries and at headquarters. Candidates will work on a range of 
> projects: from developing programme plans for health interventions to 
> field investigations of potentially serious public health problems 
> including responding to epidemics and other emergencies.
>
> After a few months, the young professionals will return to Geneva for 
> a further two weeks of intensive study, followed by more work in a WHO 
> country or regional office.
>
> The focus of the Service is to develop future health leaders who 
> combine strong technical knowledge with management, strategic and 
> communications skills. Selected candidates will benefit from WHO's 
> wide access to national leaders and health experts at national and 
> international levels. Graduating candidates will be encouraged to 
> return to work in developing countries in Ministries of Health, 
> non-governmental organizations, and international organizations.
>
> The Health Leadership Service is advertising for the first group of 
> candidates over the coming months. Qualified applicants will be under 
> 38 years of age with an advanced degree in a field related to public 
> health and work experience relevant to public health. At least half 
> will be women; 80% will be from developing countries. This process 
> will be repeated annually.
>
> "Graduates from the HLS will acquire a unique combination of hands-on 
> public health and leadership competencies through learning-by-doing. 
> These skills will enable them to make invaluable contributions to 
> overcoming the major health systems challenges in the years to come," 
> said Dr Tim Evans, Assistant Director General, Evidence and 
> Information for Policy at the WHO. 



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