[afro-nets] New WHO Health Leaders Training Programme

[Claudio Schuftan <claudio@hcmc.netnam.vn>]

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 appli-
cations 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 fund-
ing 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 de-
mand."

"We're very pleased to support WHO's efforts to develop a new
generation of global health leaders," said Dr David Fleming, di-
rector of the Gates Foundation's Global Health Strategies pro-
gramme. "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 devel-
oping 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 pro-
gramme which combines formal training with supervised practical
work.

They will initially spend four weeks at WHO headquarters in Ge-
neva 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. Candi-
dates will work on a range of projects: from developing pro-
gramme 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 Ge-
neva 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 communica-
tions 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 or-
ganizations.

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 re-
lated 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 invalu-
able contributions to overcoming the major health systems chal-
lenges in the years to come," said Dr Tim Evans, Assistant Di-
rector General, Evidence and Information for Policy at the WHO.