CERN AREN Dzenowagis Sept2005

Connecting for Health Research in AfricaInternational Workshop on African Research & Networking: 

Connecting for Health Research in Africa International Workshop on African Research & Networking Dr Joan Dzenowagis World Health Organization CERN, Geneva, September 2005

Outline: 

Outline World Health Organization's African Region Information & communication technologies (ICT) for health programs ICT in support of WHO programs

World Health Organization: 

World Health Organization Specialized agency of the United Nations Public health mandate, founded 1948 6000 staff: headquarters (Geneva), regional offices and 192 countries Major initiatives for combating infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, influenza, polio); improving maternal and child health; tobacco control, others

Example: Causes of death WHO African Region, stratum E: 

Example: Causes of death WHO African Region, stratum E Source: World health report, 2004

Effects of globalization: Epidemics affect travel and trade: 

Effects of globalization: Epidemics affect travel and trade Source: WHO 2005

ICT is fundamental in health research : 

ICT is fundamental in health research Improve flow of information and increase research and operational efficiency Quality and safety: avoid mistakes, reduce costs and duplication Access to tools for learning, research and practice Access to information, data, products, advice

Model of ICT in health systems: 

Model of ICT in health systems Characteristics of use

Spending on health, ICT and education, Kenya (% GDP, 2002): 

Spending on health, ICT and education, Kenya (% GDP, 2002) 0 2.5 5 7.5 10 Health ICT Education Public Private Total GDP: 12 224 740 000 % GDP Sources: WHO 2005, ITU 2004, UNDP 2004

Making ICT work for health: Health InterNetwork: 

Making ICT work for health: Health InterNetwork One of four major initiatives of the UN Millennium Action Plan, Sept 2000 Supports public health programs and priorities Content: relevant, high quality, affordable Connectivity: improving Internet access Capacity: training to use information effectively Policy: creating a facilitating environment

HIN Access to Research Initiative: 

HIN Access to Research Initiative First HIN success: major breakthrough in making content available Partnership between WHO and journal publishers Delivers 2900+ biomedical journals online, free or at low cost, to health institutions in 113 low-income countries Addition of agriculture (FAO) & environment (UNEP) to partnership, collections

UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research & Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR): 

UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research & Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) Jointly managed funding agency, supported by voluntary contributions 2 goals: building research capacity and developing new tools for disease control Focuses on 10 tropical diseases

TDR's strategic use of ICT: 

TDR's strategic use of ICT Since the 1990s has incorporated eMail, Internet into program and outreach SatelLife launch and support: 1992-95 Hardware installations: 1993-98 Connectivity solutions: 1998-2000 LAN installations: 1998-2000 Training courses & materials for HINARI institutions

Supporting WHO's work in countries: WHO Global Private Network (1): 

Supporting WHO's work in countries: WHO Global Private Network (1) Began in 1999 with 6 regional offices Adding country offices and health centers (approx 150) Connectivity with satellite (Norway) and terrestrial links (Geneva hub) WHO offices in Africa mainly connected via satellite, with some VPN connections via ISP

40 offices connected Target: all countries by early 2006: 

40 offices connected Target: all countries by early 2006

WHO Global Private Network (2): 

WHO Global Private Network (2) Services include voice, video conferencing, Internet and data Firewalls at hubs & local offices Bandwidth 1Mbps for regional office, 128/192 Kbps for country offices GPN crucial for integrated WHO global management & services at country level

WHO Global Private Network (3): 

WHO Global Private Network (3) Part of the CERN consortium for Internet access WHO has started using the network of scientists (Sinet, Geant) to connect offices Seek to collaborate more closely with other networks, to benefit in the future

Slide17: 

Joan Dzenowagis dzenowagisj@who.int With thanks to WHO colleagues G. Kernen, D. Metais, S. Wayling