Activities by strategy  Strategy 1 - Harmonisation of health data needs and development of adequate surveillance systems
Strategy 2 - Development of relevant computer applications Strategy 3 - Adaptation of field epidemiology and public health surveillance training programmes to local and regional needs Strategy 4 - Promoting the use of e-mail, and opening the network to new clients, new services and other networks Strategy 5 - Publications Strategy 4 - Promoting the use of e-mail, opening the network to new partners, new services and other networks PacNet and Telehealth │ LabNet - A network of laboratories │ EpiNet, PPHSN response to outbreaks EpiNet, PPHSN response to outbreaks Usefulness, efficacy and responsiveness of the PPHSN outbreak alert and response services were practically demonstrated, e.g. during the cholera outbreaks in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands in 2000. For all three phases of outbreak alert and monitoring (through PacNet), confirmation and identification (through PPHSN LabNet) and investigation and response (through combined national and regional teams), rapid and efficient mobilisation of adequate resources was achieved through the PPHSN structure and network of services. In such context of crisis, the role of the PPHSN-CB members in the whole process also deserves special emphasis. Assistance was also provided through PPHSN in many other instances, in the field or at distance, like when cholera cases occurred in Fiji, during the typhoid fever outbreak in Nauru, when dengue 2 epidemic wiped out the Pacific Island region, during influenza outbreaks, or for leptospirosis. Information circulation through PacNet allowed also an early warning about of the measles threats, and some countries or territories could carry out immunisation campaigns.
After the endorsement of PPHSN developmental plan at the joint WHO/SPC meeting of Pacific Island Ministers of Health in Madang, EpiNet was launched: all PICTs nominated their multidisciplinary teams in charge of the response to outbreaks, the ‘EpiNet’ (or equivalent) teams.
Sub-regional EpiNet workshops I, II and III
These workshops, where members of national EpiNet teams worked together with regional specialists on PPHSN development, are described under Strategy 1, Sub-regional EpiNet workshops I, II and III. Regional EpiNet workshop
This workshop was held in Suva, Fiji, from 1-5 September 2003. The objectives of the workshop were: to update the participants on SARS, and get their feedback on specific needs related to it; especially, to review participants' experience of and feedback on activities to strengthen hospital infection control during the SARS outbreak, and determine future options and needs in relation to infection control and clinical preparedness for emerging infectious diseases. to prepare the development of an Influenza Pandemic Plan for the Pacific Islands. to discuss lessons learnt from recent experiences with outbreak-prone diseases in the PI region. to present and discuss the progress in the PPHSN guidelines, get the feedback from the participants and plan guidelines’ finalisation. to share information on PPHSN existing or planned projects, and discuss and plan their development and possible extension. to update the participants about specific bioterrorism (BT) issues, discuss existing PPHSN anthrax guidelines and the need for other specific guidelines in the area of bioterrorism preparedness, and recommend BT-related activities for the PPHSN. to update the participants on PPHSN and PPHSN Coordinating Body (CB) matters. to update the participants on the information available through the PPHSN, including the PPHSN website, and to get their feedback on PacNet and related lists, EpiNet announcement list, the PPHSN and Distance Education in Health website, and Inform'Action, incl. the accessibility and relevance of the information available through these means, and plan further potential improvements. to identify, discuss and recommend sustainable funding mechanisms for the response to epidemics in the region (especially revolving funds options). with regards to accessibility to data and information in the region, discuss and plan the pooling of PICTs database into a regional communicable disease database and the support needed for this purpose, especially at national level to select other priority diseases for the PPHSN, and plan their inclusion to the PPHSN priority disease list. to prepare the PPHSN for the new IHR. finally, to draft a PPHSN Strategic Plan with an agreed implementation timeframe.
The expected outputs were all linked with the above objectives. The outcome of the meeting was the draft PPHSN Strategic Plan including all main issues discussed at the workshop. This plan gives directions for the next 3 years, i.e. 2003 – 2006. A summary report on this meeting has been compiled and published in Inform'ACTION #15. > More information on EpiNet [Back to the top] |
