AFRO-NETS> Course on Urbanisation and Health for Developing Countries

[Pam Cerff <pam.cerff@mrc.ac.za>]

Short Course on Urbanisation and Health for Developing Countries
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5-9 July, 1999 and 12-16 July, 1999
Cape Town, South Africa

Participants are invited to attend the following course, which is held 
on an annual basis in Cape Town, South Africa under the auspices of the 
University of the Western Cape and presented by the Medical Research 
Council's National Urbanisation and Health Research Programme.

The dates for the two Modules are 5-9 July 1999 and 12-16 July 1999. 
Application for registration closes on 21 June 1999, after which a late 
fee is charged should there still be vacancies on the course.

The course is an introduction to the emerging public health issues as-
sociated with urbanisation in developing countries and is aimed at 
post-graduate level.

The emphasis of the course is on capacity building within local health 
and other authorities by exposing managers and policy makers to impor-
tant urban health issues.

Target Group: 
- Health Service Managers responsible for Primary Health Care in peri-
  urban areas; 
- Senior Environmental Health Officers; 
- Town Planners and other professionals whose work relates to public
  health;
- Post-graduate public health students and researchers. 

Preference will be given to participants who will be able to contribute 
to urban health policy development in their working environment

Faculty:
Teaching staff will comprise a multi-disciplinary team with a wide 
range of expertise in urban health. 

Module I: 5 - 9 July, 1999 (week 1)

Course content will be drawn from the following: 
- progress and prospects for urban health research; 
- definitions in urban health research; 
- quantitative research in urban settings; 
- qualitative research methods in the urban setting; 
- urban health issues; 
- maternal and child health; 
- environmental health; 
- the healthy cities movement. 

Module II: 12 - 16 July, 1999 (week 2)

Completion of Urbanisation and Health for Developing Countries I is a 
pre-requisite for doing Module II.

Course content will be drawn from the following: 
- urban health and development; 
- urban basic facilities surveys; 
- mapping urban research data; 
- women's health; 
- urbanisation and nutrition; 
- concepts of health; 
- housing and health; 
- translating research into policy (including priority setting, commu-
  nity involvement and effective communication). 

A degree or diploma in one of the Health or Life Sciences, or Town 
Planning or equivalent practical experience is recommended, plus com-
pletion of Urbanisation and Health for Developing Countries I.

Course fee
Local applicants:
Module I:       ZAR   950
Modules I & II  ZAR 1,400

Foreign applicants:
Module I        US$   600
Module II       US$ 1,100

Closing date for applications is 21 June 1999. Late applications will 
be charged an extra fee.

Exchange rate
The current exchange rate is about 6.5 South African Rands (ZAR) to 
US$1 and ZAR 10 to the British Pound.

Registration
Postal registration will be secured by submitting a cheque or postal 
order for the course and accommodation fees (if living at the resi-
dence) with the registration forms. Receipts will be issued. All cheque 
payments for courses must be marked clearly for: "UWC - PHP Winter 
School". Bookings will be confirmed upon receipt of payment only. Reg-
istration for each Module will take place at 8:00 on the Monday of each 
week.

Application for registration forms will be faxed to prospective stu-
dents who supply a fax number.

ENQUIRIES CONCERNING REGISTRATION, AND COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS ARE 
TO BE ADDRESSED TO:

Winter School Administration
Attn. Marlene Petersen
Public Health Programme
University of the Western Cape
Private Bag X17
Bellville, 7535
South Africa

General
Situated on the Cape Peninsula at the Southern tip of Africa, Cape Town 
is a sought after tourist destination. Attractions include magnificent 
beaches, the famous Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, the wine route, 
drives around the Peninsula, historical buildings, and Robben Island. 
Spending the weekend in Cape Town before the Course starts in order to 
explore the attractions should be considered. As with all tourist ar-
eas, souvenirs are available for purchase at places of interest and 
this should be taken into account in budgeting. The Course is being 
held during the winter season of a winter rainfall area. Maximum tem-
peratures could range between 9 deg C. and 15 deg C. Since one day dur-
ing Module I, will be spent on site visits that may be outdoors, it is 
important that participants bring warm, rain proof clothing and foot-
wear with them.

Accommodation of a very basic nature is available in student residences 
at ZAR 180 per person per day which includes bed (1 pillow, 1 duvet, 1 
blanket, sheets), breakfast, lunch, dinner and teas. 

Please advise the Winter School Administration of the exact dates of 
your arrival and departure at the residence. Not doing so can result in 
being charged for an extra night/day.

The University will provide transport from the airport and Bellville 
station only for those participants who will be staying at the Univer-
sity residence (indicate if required on the registration form). Private 
taxi facilities are available at the airport and train station.

It is advisable for you to inform the Winter School Administration of 
the day and time of your arrival as this will facilitate your booking 
in at the residence and dinner arrangements.

Car Hire
There are many hire firms should students staying off campus wish to 
have their own transport. Companies require passport details of foreign 
visitors as well as copies (certified English translations) of drivers 
licenses. Tariff savings can usually be made by booking cars for 7 or 
more days rather than 5 days or less. 

One optional social event is arranged for each week that usually in-
volves visiting a restaurant for a meal at the participants' own cost. 
The minimum cost for such a meal would be in the region of ZAR 50.

Graduation
A graduation ceremony will be arranged for the late afternoon of each 
Friday of the course and participants are requested to keep this in 
mind when planning their travel arrangements. Senior staff of local in-
stitutions or other dignitaries will officiate. 

We are unable to provide sponsorship and suggest that those needing fi-
nancial assistance contact their own organisations or their local WHO 
or UN offices as well as other sources available in their local area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms Pam Cerff
National Urbanisation and Health Research Programme
MRC
PO Box 19070
7505 Tygerberg
South Africa
Tel: +27-21-938-0444
Fax: +27-21-938-0342
mailto:pcerff@mrc.co.za 
http://www.mrc.ac.za/urbanheal/course.htm

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