Innovative Approaches to Improve Public Health Practice in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Findings From the Sixth Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network Regional Conference.

Ezzeddine Mohsni,Scott J N Mcnabb ,Faris Lami,Qahtan Al-Salihi,Aamer Ikram,Asmae Khattabi,Bashiruddin Noormal,Abdulwahed Al Serouri,Sami Almudarra,Mark Salter,Salman Rawaf,Amrish Baidjoe,Dionisio Herrera Guibert,Elmuez Eltayeb,Christophe Longuet,Mohannad Al Nsour,Nissaf Bouafif Ép Ben-Alaya ,Ibrahim Iblan,Sahar Samy,Yousef Khader

doi:10.2196/11382

Abstract

Public health professionals in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) have limited access to continuing education, including workshops and conferences in public health. Held under the theme Innovative Approaches: Adapting to the Current EMR Context, the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) organized and conducted the Sixth EMPHNET Regional Conference from March 26 to 29, 2018. This paper summarizes the key activities including workshops, roundtable discussions, oral and poster presentations, keynote speeches, and side meetings. Before the opening, 5 preconference workshops were held: “Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) Accreditation,” “Innovative Public Health Surveillance,” “Human and Animal Brucellosis,” “Rapid Response Teams,” and “Polio Transition and Routine Immunization.” The conference hosted 6 roundtable discussions: “Consolidation of the FETP Network,” “One Health to Achieve Global Health Security,” “Polio Eradication Efforts and Transition Planning for Measles Elimination,” “Mobile Data Collection and Other Innovative Tools to Enhance Decision Making,” “Confronting Candida auris: An Emerging Multidrug-resistant Global Pathogen,” and “Functioning and Sustainable Country Public Health Emergency Response Operation Framework.” One of the conference’s key objectives was to provide a space for FETP residents, graduates, and public health professionals to showcase achievements. A total of 421 abstracts were submitted and after professional review, 34.9% (147/421) were accepted (111 for oral presentations and 36 for poster presentations) and published by Iproceeding. The conference met the primary objectives of showcasing the public health accomplishments and contributions of the EMR, encouraging the exchange of ideas and coordination among stakeholders, and engaging cross-sectoral workforce in producing recommendations for approaching regional and global health concerns. Moreover, the conference presented a unique opportunity for FETPs and other public health professionals from the Mediterranean region to present their significant scientific work and also facilitated networking among professionals. EMPHNET strives to continue to present similar exchange opportunities for public health professionals in the region.

Highlights

The Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) has complex and diverse health challenges especially because of the political instability, conflicts and forced displacement, frequent outbreaks of infectious diseases, increasing burden of noncommunicable disease, and poverty [1,2,3]
The conference met the primary objectives of showcasing the public health accomplishments and contributions of the EMR, encouraging the exchange of ideas and coordination among stakeholders, and engaging cross-sectoral workforce in producing recommendations for approaching regional and global health concerns
The conference presented a unique opportunity for Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) and other public health professionals from the Mediterranean region to present their significant scientific work and facilitated networking among professionals

Summary

Background

The Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) has complex and diverse health challenges especially because of the political instability, conflicts and forced displacement, frequent outbreaks of infectious diseases, increasing burden of noncommunicable disease, and poverty [1,2,3]. The objectives of the workshop were to brief participants on the polio transition planning and postcertification strategy, share the country’s experiences with progress in developing transitional plans (Somalia and Sudan), discuss the remaining nonendemic countries’ plans to develop a transitional plan (Iraq, Syria, and Yemen), focus more on the country’s efforts, achievements, and constraints using polio assets to improve routine immunization (all countries), and discuss the best mechanisms to synergize and support priority countries in maintaining polio-free status This workshop offered an opportunity for senior immunization staff to interact with senior officers from the global polio eradication initiative partners Roundtable discussions hosted by the Sixth Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network Regional Conference

Polio Eradication Efforts and Transition Planning for Measles Elimination:

Confronting Candida auris

One Health to Achieve Global Health Security:

Conclusions