Abstract
BackgroundIncreased funding for global human immunodeficiency virus prevention and control in developing countries has created both a challenge and an opportunity for achieving long-term global health goals. This paper describes a programme in Zimbabwe aimed at responding more effectively to the HIV/AIDS epidemic by reinforcing a critical competence-based training institution and producing public health leaders.MethodsThe programme used new HIV/AIDS programme-specific funds to build on the assets of a local education institution to strengthen and expand the general public health leadership capacity in Zimbabwe, simultaneously ensuring that they were trained in HIV interventions.ResultsThe programme increased both numbers of graduates and retention of faculty. The expanded HIV/AIDS curriculum was associated with a substantial increase in trainee projects related to HIV. The increased number of public health professionals has led to a number of practically trained persons working in public health leadership positions in the ministry, including in HIV/AIDS programmes.ConclusionInvestment of a modest proportion of new HIV/AIDS resources in targeted public health leadership training programmes can assist in building capacity to lead and manage national HIV and other public health programmes.
Highlights
Increased funding for global human immunodeficiency virus prevention and control in developing countries has created both a challenge and an opportunity for achieving long-term global health goals
The clear challenges facing the public health workforce, in developing countries, have been well documented [911]. This is a critical component of the global human resource crisis that is limiting the ability of the world to respond effectively to health crises [2,5]
Countries applying to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria have consistently identified human resources as a top priority for health system strengthening [6]
Summary
Increased funding for global human immunodeficiency virus prevention and control in developing countries has created both a challenge and an opportunity for achieving long-term global health goals. The last several years have seen a remarkable increase in funding for global health [1,2,3] Most of these new resources for global health come tightly linked to addressing specific disease problems, e.g. immunizable diseases or HIV/AIDS. The rapid expansion of programmes in such contexts can lead to only short-term impacts and further weakening of public health infrastructure [6] Many of these new resources may be wasted if human resource constraints are not addressed [7,8]. The clear challenges facing the public health workforce, in developing countries, have been well documented [911] This is a critical component of the global human resource crisis that is limiting the ability of the world to respond effectively to health crises [2,5]. Countries applying to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria have consistently identified human resources as a top priority for health system strengthening [6]
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