RKI launches training programme in Applied Public Health Research in Namibia

The CARe project (Capacity Building in Applied Public Health Research in GHPP partner countries) kicked off its on-the-job training programme in Applied Public Health Research with a face-to-face workshop. As part of the Global Health Protection Programme (GHPP), the workshop took place in Windhoek, Namibia, from 30 October to 3 November 2023.

Group picture of the first workshop in Applied Public Health Research from 30 October to 3 November 2023 in Windhoek. Photo: Jayson Tumbali

Twenty-eight public health specialists from the African region participated in the one-week workshop. The participants have a varied professional background. Many of them work with African partner institutions of RKI in projects within the Global Health Protection Programme, and some work in national public health institutes (NPHIs). Some of them were nominated to participate in the training by the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Namibia.

Topics of the workshop included: (1) an introduction to Applied Public Health Research, (2) developing a well-posed research question, (3) reviewing the literature, (4) understanding key types of public health research study design and (5) types of quantitative and qualitative data for public health research. The workshop was based on the train-the-trainer approach and very interactive, including group work and discussions. The week also included social activities and a team-building evening to facilitate networking among the participants.

Participants of the workshop during a group activity. Photo: RKI

The workshop was the first event of the CARe project, a comprehensive on-the-job professional training programme which aims to help build capacity in public health research. The training programme addresses National Public Health Institutes and/or Ministries of Health in African GHPP partner countries as well as current African partners of the GHPP programme, including health facilities, universities, local NGOs or charities, and local private contractors. The CARe training programme is running from October 2023 until December 2025. The financial support of this project is provided by the German Federal Ministry of Health on the basis of a resolution of the German Bundestag.

left: Dr Emmanuel Nepolo, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Namibia, giving an input at the workshop in Windhoek as representative of the project partner; right: Petronella Masabane, Deputy Executive Director at the Ministry of Health and Social Services Namibia, also speaking as representative of the Namibian project partner. Photos: RKI

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