Capacity Strengthening Research Articles

Geoparks Twinning Agreements, A Vision from Formality and Territorial Links. Mixteca Alta (Mexico) and Napo Sumaco (Ecuador) Geoparks as Comparative Cases

AbstractCurrently, geoparks represent territories with great potential for the generation of educational and conservation processes, with productive and community development strategies through geotourism, using their natural and unique attributes, in a coordinated effort to improve the quality of life of their communities, based on the sustainable use of sites of geological interest of global importance. On the way to the construction of geoparks, territories find elements in common with other territories pursuing similar objectives, which leads to the creation of synergies and commonwealths. Working together in a network represents one of the most solid pillars of the geoparks, being a fundamental contribution to society. Geopark twinning is an alternative to promote micro-partnerships between geoparks with similar conditions and characteristics, which allow strengthening internal processes, as well as the exchange of knowledge, strategies and experiences, and the strengthening of institutional and management capacities. In addition, twinning arrangements are management tools that also serve as instruments to merge and unite identities in territories that are compatible in several areas, beyond geological heritage. In this sense, the present work shows the case studies of Mixteca Alta UNESCO Global Geopark (MAUGG) and Napo Sumaco Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark (NSAUGG), where twinning arises from aspects such as community management, traditions, cultural approaches, worldview towards the land and its use. In both territories there is a high population of local indigenous groups: Mixtecos (Mexico) and Napo Runa (Ecuador), with agricultural customs based on their limitations or environmental conditions, such as the development of lamabordos and chacras; moreover, the decision-making systems are based on the competence and trust that the population has in their leaders, and not in political or partisan conflicts (election by uses and customs). Finally, their vision of the territory is based on respect for the environment and the beings that are part of it, and on giving a sacred conception to what provides them with food and life.

From stakeholders to protagonists: an exploratory framework for cultivating prosocial capacities for development

The world in 2024 faces numerous interlinked crises, including climate change and water shortages, rising geopolitical tensions, and a new awareness of the risks of pandemics. These crises reverse decades of incremental development progress and humanity’s aspirations embodied in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, necessitating a more active and collaborative participation of development stakeholders. The magnitude of challenges points to the need for transformational approaches to releasing the potential of stakeholders, which requires building on and extending beyond current best practices in participation and capacity strengthening. What is most needed today is a balanced assessment of the complexity of human nature and a vision that recognizes the prosocial potential of people to harmonize the pursuit of personal interests with a willingness to contribute to social and collective development goals. Prosociality is a capacity that all stakeholders can strengthen—from individuals to institutions to communities (including different forms of social groupings). These stakeholders can become empowered as active protagonists of development, with the potential to work synergistically to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to work with these protagonists, it is important to view them systematically in terms of key characteristics such as their antecedent knowledge, values and culture, stance, agency, roles, relationships, and learning.

Analysis of Strengthening Youth Organizations in Lolowua Village, Hiliserangkai District Nias Regency, Indonesia

The purpose of this study is to analyze the strengthening of youth organization activities in Lolowua Village, Hiliserangkai District, Nias Regency, to analyze how obstacles to strengthening youth organizations in lolowua village and to analyze how efforts are made in strengthening youth organizations in lolowua village. This type of research is qualitative. Data analysis techniques use data reduction, data presentation and conclusion drawn. The result of this study is that the Capacity Strengthening of the Youth Organization in Lolowua village has not run optimally, this is because there are still several obstacles to indicators that are not yet effective, The main factors that become obstacles are lack of budget that limits the implementation of programs and activities, lack of adequate human resources, ineffective communication, and limited facilities, Lack of training and mentoring for member capacity, low participation from members and the community. The efforts made in strengthening the Youth Organization in Lolowua Village pay special attention to the youth organization, monitoring, evaluation of management and programs, involving the youth organization in the planning to strengthen human resources, improve communication, provide better facilities, and increase participation and training for all members of the Youth Organization.

The Effect of Stress on the Skin Welfare of Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus Linnaeus, 1758) Broodstock

The aim of this study was to build on the work already conducted in optimising lumpfish broodstock temperature, photoperiod and nutrition by providing vital information on the stress relationship between mucosal barrier functions and the sexual development of lumpfish broodstock. From a population of approx. 300 fish of 1587 g (SEM ± 704 g), a sub-population of 20 fish was injected with 30 mg/kg fish cortisol implants on 5 January 2018. The control group was not treated with implants. The stress-induced cortisol implant group showed elevated plasma cortisol over a period of approximately one month. Analyses of mucus cell area and density suggested that induced stress could produce a positive functional response (stimulus) in lumpfish early in the experiment through a gentle increase in the barrier strength of the skin, reduced mucus cell size and increased density of mucous cells, resulting in a strengthening of the respiratory capacity of the gills. Mucous cell density and calculated barrier strength in the skin were significantly negatively correlated with plasma cortisol, while in the gill filaments of females, there was a significant negative correlation between mucous cell density and oestrogen levels. The reduced density of “empty” cells (Q cells) after stress induction indicates that these cells are important for the maintenance of homeostasis (physiological equilibrium). The fish in this experiment were considered more robust compared to previous analyses on smaller lumpfish.

Analysis of medical doctor supply in Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, and Serbia in the last two decades

Abstract Introduction The shortage of medical doctors in Europe has become a priority issue, especially in the Eastern European region, where many countries are making large investments to ensure adequate supply. Training future medical professionals is a lengthy and costly process that significantly impacts healthcare accessibility and quality. As part of the project of the Laboratory for Strengthening Capacity and Performance of Health System and Workforce for Health Equity, we aimed to assess the changes in the medical doctor supply in several Balkan countries over the last two decades. Methods Data on the total number of graduated medical doctors (MD) and their rate per 100,000 population from 2000 to 2021 was retrieved from the Eurostat database. This open-access database contains the reported number of students who have graduated from medical schools for each year and selected countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, and Serbia). The standard methods of descriptive statistics were used to perform the analysis. Results During the observed period, the number of MDs graduating annually and their rates per 100,000 population have increased in all countries. Romania leads with the highest rate of MD graduates at 26.18 per 100,000 people, followed by Bulgaria (22.74), Serbia (19.15), and Croatia (16.56). From 2000 to 2021, Bulgaria experienced the highest increase in the number of medical doctor graduates, with a rise of 169.1% in absolute numbers and 200.9% in rate. In contrast, Serbia had the lowest increase, with only a 135.5% rise in the total number of medical doctor graduates and a rate increase of 152.3%. Conclusions In the last 20 years, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, and Serbia have seen an increase in the number of MD graduates and their rate per 100,000 population. Policymakers should consider the investments and education trends of medical professionals in relation to their employment and migrations to predict the future supply of doctors in this region. Key messages • Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, and Serbia have seen an increase in the number of MD graduates and their rate per 100,000 population in the last twenty years. • Considering the trends in the number of newly graduated doctors, policymakers should address additional factors to ensure an adequate supply of medical doctors.

Public-Private Partnerships: A model for injury prevention and safety promotion – Benefitting communities and NGOs

Abstract Injuries are a leading cause of death up to 45years, and 12% of all hospital beds in Norway are dedicated to accident-related treatments. Addressing injuries poses a significant public health challenge, and preventing accidents is crucial for saving money and resources. The Norwegian Act of Public Health mandates that municipalities promote the population’s health and well-being, contribute to favourable environmental conditions, and prevent mental and somatic illnesses and injuries. This is echoed in various laws and regulations, providing a supportive framework for injury prevention and safety promotion. However, translating these laws and regulations into effective policies and preventive activities necessitates collaboration across sectors and levels. To meet these demands, a public-private partnership for safety has been established through five-year cooperation agreements between the Ministry of Health, Finance Norway (Association for financial and insurance industry in Norway), and the Norwegian Safety Forum (NSF). As a non-profit organization, NSF is a national advocate for safety, specializing in home and leisure injury prevention, road safety and Safe Community initiatives in Norway. Program Description The collaboration aims to reduce accidents and injuries. The agreement secures basic financing for NSF and serves as a platform for knowledge sharing and competence building across sectors. It facilitates seminars and meetings to promote learning among different professions, benefiting municipalities and the public. The collaboration leverages the Ministry’s resources, insurance companies’ data and knowledge, and NSF’s expertise to develop injury prevention programs through dialogue with communities and organizations. This model brings together private-public and NGO perspectives. It also provides enhanced possibilities for coordination on both national and community level, enhancing data and knowledge availability and strengthening capacity for safety promotion.

COVID-19 premature mortality in Serbia: Does the place of death matter?

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare services provision in Serbia and globally. Many people did not seek or reach healthcare due to various reasons, and a significant number of COVID-19 deaths were not confirmed by laboratory testing. Within the project of the Laboratory for Strengthening Capacity and Performance of Health System and Workforce for Health Equity, we assessed the differences in years of life lost (YLL) of COVID-19 death cases according to the place of death. Methods The Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia provided average life expectancy and anonymous individual mortality data of the Serbian population in 2020, 2021, and 2022, where COVID-19 was the underlying cause of death (ICD-X codes: laboratory confirmed - U07.1 and clinically diagnosed - U07.2), also disaggregated by the place of death (at home or in a hospital). Analytical statistics and nonparametric tests were used to assess the differences in premature mortality by place of death with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results In all observed years, a total of 45,632 death cases due to COVID-19 occurred (94.3% in hospital and 5.7% at home). Most COVID-19 deaths were coded as U07.1 (93.8% in hospital, 91.3% at home). An average of 12.12±7.50 YLLs was estimated per death, with a median of 11.50. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the median number of YLLs between those who died in the hospital (11.50) and those who died at home (6.78). Furthermore, deaths occurring at home had fewer YLLs but were more frequently coded as U07.2 (p < 0.001). Conclusions The place of death is relevant when assessing the impact of COVID-19 on premature mortality in Serbia. On average, persons who died at home due to COVID-19 had a lower number of YLLs compared to those who died in a hospital. More research is necessary on the other factors contributing to premature mortality and inequalities in the COVID-19 burden in Serbia. Key messages • During the first three years of the COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia, 5.7% of COVID-19 deaths occurred at home, resulting in an average of 9.89 years of life lost. • The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need to investigate deaths that occur at home and improve pandemic preparedness.

The development of a roadmap for Health Technology Assessment implementation in Moldova.

Moldova strives for universal health coverage (UHC) and considers health technology assessment (HTA) an important policy instrument to inform the choice of services that should be covered to progressively realize UHC. It plays a key role in determining which technologies are coved, considering various dimensions often including cost-effectiveness, budget impact, and feasibility. This paper reports on work undertaken to develop a roadmap for HTA implementation, using evidence-informed deliberative processes (EDPs) as the guiding framework. Between 2020 and 2022, we undertook several activities that informed the roadmap. We conducted a needs assessment and an assessment of European HTA best practices using a combination of desk research, interviews and surveys. We then conducted a document review of six selected HTA systems, complimented by expert interviews from three neighbouring countries. The roadmap provided a suggested HTA process, which included instructions on how to execute the different steps of the EDP framework to enhance the legitimacy of HTA-informed decision-making. The roadmap encompasses several aspects such as how to organize stakeholder involvement, how to identify and operationalize decision criteria, and how to make the decision process transparent. Guidance was given to the country on establishing a legal framework for HTA; a communication strategy; strengthening capacity and leveraging HTA expertise. The country was also given tailored advice on the positioning of the HTA-agency, first as an entity within the Ministry of Health or the National Agency of Public Health but with the long-term vision for it to be independent of any state institution. Despite several challenges, including a partial disruption because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the development of the roadmap for HTA implementation was completed and agreed upon by the Ministry of Health in Moldova. This work has helped motivate and support the country in HTA institutionalization.

Healthcare capacity strengthening in conflict settings through virtual emergency medical training and outreach: Ukraine and Sudan case studies.

The use of digital learning in healthcare is expanding in a range of contexts including for settings of armed conflict. Humanitarian emergencies and war often lead to a surge of traumatic injuries, emotional distress, and disruption to health systems risking neglect and exacerbations of chronic illness, and acute infectious disease outbreaks, often requiring an international response. On the ground humanitarian response is often essential though logistical and security challenges can delay these responses, and the reliance on an international workforce unfamiliar with local cultures can create challenges in response efforts. In crises where local healthcare workers have limited training, or experience in emergency care, digital health care education can augment in-person response and training efforts. In recent years digital emergency care education programs have been deployed to both Ukraine and Sudan. A review of each of these programs demonstrates successes in and potential utility of remote healthcare capacity strengthening through digital education in settings of war. These programs provide important lessons in strengths of and challenges in developing and delivering just in time learning programs to settings of active armed conflict suggesting similar potential utility in a variety of humanitarian emergency contexts.

Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dalam Perintisan Destinasi Wisata Minat Khusus di Desa Hutan Jabranti, Kuningan

Jabranti Village, located in Kuningan Regency, is the focus of the Student Organization Capacity Strengthening Program (PPK Ormawa) for Nature Lovers Forestry Students (MAHAKUPALA) with the topic Forest Village. This area is rich in biodiversity, including the presence of flora, various fauna as well as local wisdom and the existence of cultural sites. The aim of this activity is to increase the use of local wisdom and natural resources by the community, create new groups, increase community competence in resource management, and form special interest educational tourism destinations based on environmental preservation and local culture. The method of implementing activities is providing outreach, biodiversity inventory, interviews, training and mentoring to local communities and special interest educational tourism management groups as well as non-timber forest product management groups. This series of activities received a good response from participants, providing a very significant increase, creating a new source of income and making Jabranti Village a center for forest conservation in Kuningan Regency.

Enhancing Taxonomic Skills in West Africa and Supporting the Growth of GC Herbarium (Ghana)

Training the next generation of environmental scientists is critical to the future of life on Earth as acknowledged in 2021 by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG, Kew) in Our Manifesto for Change. RBG, Kew is also committed to strengthening capacity in the most biodiverse tropical countries by sharing expertise and collections, to enhance the global conservation effort. Developing training programmes to enhance taxonomic capacity in Africa and meeting the demand for early career in-country taxonomists was identified as the first step to accelerate the documentation and conservation of African plant diversity. Two years ago, RBG, Kew, in collaboration with the University of Ghana and the Ghana Herbarium (GC) and with support from the Schroder Charity Trust and Mallinckrodt Foundation, developed a tailored “Plant Taxonomy Skills for Ecology and Conservation” training course. This was planned to run in Africa, South America and Asia, alternating each year. The pilot was organised in Ghana, Africa in 2022. Participants for this 5-week course were selected from over 260 applicants. Delivered in a hybrid format, the course started with 3 weeks of online lectures, pre-recorded by 15 plant scientists and curators at RBG, Kew, as well as online interactive sessions. This was then followed by 2 weeks of in-person training in Ghana, including a 1-day field trip for practical collecting tips. The training covered herbarium curation techniques as well as concepts and skills needed for taxonomic revisions such as nomenclature, taxonomy, analysis of herbarium specimens, databasing, geo-referencing, preparation of morphological descriptions, diagnosis and identification keys as well as building distribution maps and red listing. The in-country teaching team included a curator-botanist, a plant taxonomist, a science education coordinator from RBG, Kew and two professors from University of Ghana. The course ended with a written assignment in the form of a taxonomic revision. A short survey was sent out to all course participants two years after the course to gather impacts of the training on their careers and uncover the most positive and negative aspects of the course. The course provided many positive outcomes: 15 plant taxonomists from eight African countries were trained, and jointly produced a taxonomic revision of 28 species of Ipomoea L. (Convolvulaceae) from Ghana (Williams et al. 2024). Additionally, The African Taxonomists Network was initiated by the course participants with a mission of ‘Fostering the next generation of taxonomists to bridge the generational gap and revitalize the relevance of taxonomy in Africa for the future.’ This network now has over 60 members, meets regularly online, and has a large presence on social media. Furthermore, the course also resulted in the awarding of the International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT) Biodiversity Challenge grant to the GC Herbarium in 2022. This grant enabled acquiring essential plant collecting equipment and herbarium materials, either by sourcing them in Ghana or from abroad. The GC herbarium, founded in 1952, contains ~85,000 collections of plant and algae specimens from Ghana and across West Africa with high historical, teaching and research value. This collection is vital to enhancing in-country taxonomic capacity. Therefore, the improvement and upgrade supported by the grant, as well as its recognition, are essential. Another rewarding impact of the course is strengthening of links between RBG, Kew and African institutions of higher education. These links have quickly developed into a larger partnership and were the first step towards a long-term collaboration. The ultimate objective of this collaboration has been to create the necessary conditions, both in infrastructure and human capacity to deliver the Flora of Ghana. This will be achieved by implementing a project to support the maintenance and growth of the GC herbarium in addition to taxonomic capacity building and teaching. The participants benefited from the course by engaging with mentors, networking and exchanging ideas, forming links with individuals with similar research interests and obtaining additional training and career progression opportunities. In the feedback survey, all participants reported that this course made them consider a career or future studies in plant taxonomy and 80% of the participants reported securing a new job or a student position in plant taxonomy two years after the course. In addition, all participants listed several positive impacts of the course on their career such as confidence in producing a taxonomic revision, gaining herbarium management skills and opportunities for new collaborations. This course has been subsequently successfully run in South America (Bolivia) and Asia (Indonesia), with expectations of similarly positive outcomes, and is already planned to return to Africa (Kenya) in 2025.

A STUDY ON THE PROSPECTS TO SUSTAINABLE URBAN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT IN FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE

This research addressed the prospects to sustainable urban real estate development in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The study primarily focused on the following objectives: To identify the sources of accessing finance for real estate development by real estate firms. To learn how the land code of practice and population affect real estate development and to investigate technical constraints in providing real estate projects in Freetown. Data for this study were collected using a primary source, from which a semi-structured questionnaire was used for collecting the quantitative data. The study uses a case study design to achieve the study objectives. A non-probability purposively sampling was used to identify the respondents based on their experience after a line listing process of real estate firms and their employees in Freetown. For the quantitative data, a sample frame of 130 participants was drawn, of which 100 were chosen purposively based on their experience and understanding of real estate development, and 98 participated in the study. Data analysis for this study was done using descriptive (percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential (Pearson correlation and regression analysis) statistical analytical methods. The study established that sources of finance, population impact, and technical constraints in real estate delivery have a positive significant association with urban real estate development, while land code of practice has a positive insignificant association with urban real estate development. The study recommends that, the country's financial institutions popularize a scheme that is of low interest to real estate firms so as to increase the source of income for real estate firms to expand their business; that the national land policy should be reviewed so as to create an avenue for access to land for real estate firms who are willing to provide affordable housing to the country; both the government and real estate firms should work accordingly in order to provide affordable housing for the population, and effective institutional capacity strengthening and enhanced collaboration between government parastatals and private real estate firms should be popularized and implemented. For further research, it is recommended that similar wider study should be done, which will be used for a broader generalization.

Transition and change: opportunities and challenges of CHW programme reform for community health systems and vertical disease programmes in Liberia

BackgroundGlobally, community health worker (CHW) programmes are critical to addressing health worker shortages and have been recognised as critical pillars within the drive towards universal health coverage (UHC). In 2016, the Liberian Ministry of Health launched the National Community Health Services Policy 2016–2021, which included significant CHW programme reform to address ongoing health workforce capacity gaps in the country. However, little consideration was given to the impact of such reforms on ongoing health interventions that rely heavily on the use of CHW cadres. Our study explores how CHW programme reform in Liberia influenced performance of CHWs involved in the delivery of Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) programmes to elucidate how health systems reform can impact the delivery of routine health interventions and vice versa.MethodsWe used a qualitative case study approach conducted between March 2017 and August 2018. Our instrumental case study approach uses qualitative methods, including document review of five CHW and NTD program-related policy documents; 25 key informant interviews with facility, county, and national level decision-makers; and 42 life and job histories with CHWs in Liberia. Data were analysed using a thematic framework approach, guided by Kok et al. framework of CHW performance. Data were coded in QRS NVIVO 11 Pro.ResultsOur findings show that CHW programme reform provides opportunities and challenges for supporting enhanced CHW performance. In relation to health system hardware, we found that CHW programme reform provides better opportunities for: formal recognition of CHWs; strengthening capacity for effective healthcare delivery at the community level through improved and formalised training; a more formal supervision structure; and provision of monthly incentives of 70 US dollars. Efficiency gaps in routine intervention delivery can be mitigated through the strengthening of these hardware components. Conversely, supervision deficits in routine CHW functioning can be supported through health interventions. In relation to systems software, we emphasise the ongoing importance of community engagement in CHW selection that is responsive to gendered power hierarchies and accompanied by gendered transformative approaches to improving literacy.ConclusionsThis study shows how CHW programme reform provides opportunities and challenges for health system strengthening that can both positively and negatively impact the functioning of routine health interventions. By working together, CHW programmes and routine health interventions have the opportunity to leverage mutually beneficial support for CHWs, which can enhance overall systems functioning by enhancing CHW performance.

A Global Partnership - The design, implementation and evaluation of a Foundation in Oncology Module- Reducing the global health burden of cancer through human resource and capacity strengthening

A Global Partnership - The design, implementation and evaluation of a Foundation in Oncology Module- Reducing the global health burden of cancer through human resource and capacity strengthening

Étude capacité théranostique 2023–2024 – Modélisation sur la base de la RIV-PSMA. Radiothérapie interne vectorisée (RIV), une approche théranostique à laquelle le patient doit avoir accès. Partie II : analyse approfondie

This in-depth analysis highlights the issues and perspectives regarding the deployment and optimization of vectorized internal radiotherapy (VIR), based on the VIR-PSMA model, which is the first theranostic modality that changes the scale of clinical management in nuclear medicine. It made it possible to confirm a characterization of health establishments based on their experience and their ability to integrate this new treatment modality into their care offering. Here are 8 key points and recommendations highlighted in the following pages: 1. Current and future reception capacity: “experienced” and “initiated” establishments have the greatest short-term reception capacity, while “medium-term future” and “long-term future” establishments will come, in the medium and long term respectively, strengthen the provision of care. They will be able to strengthen the healthcare offer and the territorial network if the award of a B rating allows them to do so. 2. Discrepancy between capacity and need: a gap is already observed between the number of patients who can be treated and the real needs of patients eligible for VIR-PSMA, even though capacity projections are voluntarily restricted to “experienced” and “initiated” services only (the “future” services in the medium and long term are not to date uniform in obtaining the necessary authorizations). This gap between capacity and need can be considered initially by optimizing the use of existing resources (in particular thanks to available land capacity), which remains mainly limited by the shortage of professionals. Secondly, the granting of authorizations to “future” services will make it possible to complete the system, and in particular to promote the regional distribution of care provision which shows disparities that could be sources of inequitable access to care in France. 3. Clinical pathway and harmonization of practices: the clinical pathway for patients benefiting from a VIR requires harmonization of practices and the making of recommendations by the SFMN (from the assessment of eligibility to post-dose monitoring, including the organization of treatments and the reception of patients). 4. Training and recruitment needs: the anticipated growth in demand for VIR requires strengthening teams through the recruitment of all staff involved in the patient's journey, as well as the creation of cooperation protocols between all health professionals by strengthening the initial and continuing training of all professionals involved. 5. Investments and adaptation of infrastructure: significant investments in specialized infrastructure and in the upgrading of “up-and-coming” establishments are necessary to support the increase in VIR-related activity. 6. Define a valuation model allowing these care activities to be sustained while meeting specific constraints in terms of operation, infrastructure, and regulations. 7. Role of regional health agencies (ARS): the ARS play a crucial role in coordinating the deployment of the VIR, requiring adaptation of the offer to local needs and a coherent national policy to face the challenges, particularly in the awarding of B grades, but also by ensuring that the teams of professionals are sufficient and trained and that the service meets logistical and security requirements. 8. Short, medium and long term strategies: to respond to the anticipated saturation of reception capacities, strategic actions are necessary in the short-term (less than 2 years), in the medium-term (less than 5 years), and long-term (more than 5 years), including the structuring of the organization, the expansion of recruitment, the harmonization of practices, and the strengthening of reception capacities.

Success stories: exploring perceptions of former fellows of a global faculty development program for health professions educators

BackgroundFaculty development programs (FDPs) in health professions education (HPE) are instrumental in supporting, promoting, and improving HPE curricula and activities that target individual- and system-level capacity strengthening. FAIMER, a division of Intealth, has been offering FDPs for global health professions educators in HPE and leadership for over two decades through the International FAIMER Institute in the USA and FAIMER Regional Institutes located globally. This paper explores perceptions of former program participants (Fellows) of FAIMER global FDPs by eliciting their success stories.MethodsThe study utilized a modified Success Case Method approach. Study participants recruited were 14 FAIMER Fellows nominated as exemplars of success cases by program directors and faculty members from seven global sites, using extreme case sampling technique. Of the 14 Fellows, two were from Africa, nine from Asia and three from Latin America. In-depth interviews were conducted with each Fellow to understand their self-perceived success, and factors from both their local context and FAIMER’s FDPs that have contributed to their success. Theoretical thematic analysis method was used to analyze the data.ResultsThe top three areas of success perceived by Fellows were career advancement & recognition, professional development, and advancement of HPE. Fellows identified both institutional-level factors and personal attributes as contributing to their success. They also reported that FAIMER global FDPs have substantially contributed to their success by expanding professional networks, fostering academic achievement, and enhancing interpersonal development and leadership skills.ConclusionsThe findings show that Fellows perceive that there are multiple pathways for them to succeed in advancing the field of HPE. The Fellows’ stories highlight the continuing value of FAIMER global FDPs for HPE educators worldwide in professional development and leadership. The study also proposes recommendations for enhancing faculty development activities in HPE.

Penguatan Kelembagaan Lokal dan Konservasi Ekologi Mangrove Jangkaran Untuk Pariwisata Berkelanjutan

This community service focuses on strengthening local institutions, preserving mangrove ecology and increasing tourist visits. Activities are carried out through collective problem solving, training and mentoring. This community service has succeeded in encouraging and implementing pro-sustainable tourism policies. Strengthening informal institutions, especially developing joint agreements, resolving disputes/conflicts, cooperation, commitment and new ideas, namely low carbon tourism. This activity also ensures that all sustainable tourism ideas are prepared, included and regulated in the review and revision of the Jangkaran Village Tourism Master Plan (RIPPARKAL). Ripparkal is the foundation for mangrove ecology and ecosystem conservation through village regulations as formal institutional strengthening. In this way, the institution is legal and binding, so that the government provides the village budget and infrastructure to carry it out. Apart from that, focusing on ecological conservation can encourage carbon trading from communities to emitters as an alternative financing mechanism in line with Presidential Regulation No. 98/2021. However, this dedication is too early to evaluate the achievement of ecological and environmental improvements, as well as overcoming decline. visits for short periods of service. This still requires assistance and capacity strengthening to fulfill the necessary requirements and complementary requirements to enter the next carbon trading system.

PRODUK OLAHAN IKAN (PROKAN) UPAYA MENINGKATKAN INOVASI PRODUK PERIKANAN DI DESA SISARAHILI TELUK SIABANG, KECAMATAN SAWO, KABUPATEN NIAS UTARA

Sisarahili Village is one of the underdeveloped villages that has a lot of potential in the fisheries sector. Based on survey information in the village, the income and economy of the people of Sisarahili Teluk Siabang Village have decreased since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The problem faced by the community in Sisarahili Teluk Siabang Village is the lack of knowledge and skills possessed by the community to process fishery products into processed fish products that are highly nutritious and have high selling value. In order to solve this problem, this service activity aims to provide knowledge and skills to the community in Sisarahili Teluk Siabang Village about the technology of processing fishery products into processed fish products (PROKAN) which are highly nutritious and can increase the income and economy of the community. The implementation method used to achieve the target of service activities is by conducting counseling, training on the technology of processing fishery products into Processed Fish Products (PROKAN): nuggets and meatballs and mentoring. The community group that is the special target of this service activity is fisherwomen. Through the Student Organization Capacity Strengthening Program (PPK ORMAWA), it becomes a student movement in providing knowledge about the technology of processing fishery products into Processed Fish Products (PROKAN). This community service activity was welcomed enthusiastically by the community by attending the counseling and training of Processed Fish Products (PROKAN). The community stated that they got additional insights and skills in processing fish into various products, namely nuggets and meatballs.

Institute of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights: human rights vector of activity during the armed conflict

The article is devoted to understanding the role of the institution of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in the context of armed conflict, which is accompanied by a gross leveling of the category of «human rights» and devaluation of its existential essence, and as a result, this determines the strengthening of the institutional capacity of the Ombudsman of Ukraine in the context of the national human rights protection mechanism. The object of this scientific research is the functioning of the Ombudsman of Ukraine in the constitutional and legal dimension of human rights protection, and thus the subject of the study is limited to the peculiarities of the implementation of the human rights functions of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights through the prism of the armed conflict. The methodological basis of the study is a system of general scientific and special methods of scientific cognition, the most common of which are dialectical, formal legal (dogmatic), legal comparative method, legal hermeneutics method, as well as modeling, analysis and synthesis methods which were used to formulate certain definitions, proposed scientific approaches, and to develop certain positions based on the review of regulatory and legal material. Based on the results of this study, the author proposes to deviate from the statutory time limits for applying to the Ombudsman by persons who are in the temporarily occupied part of the territory in order to provide appropriate legal protection and guarantee consideration of applications from this category of applicants, and determines the moment when the time limits begin to be calculated, the feasibility of such an approach, and models different time limits. Interpreting the provisions of the Law of Ukraine «On the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights», the author proposes and deepens the understanding of «exceptional circumstances» for extending the time limits for filing an appeal during the armed conflict for no more than two years. The author draws attention to the state of practical implementation of the principle of institutional independence of the Ombudsman under martial law, notes the imperfect regulation of the direct principle in legislation and comes to a consolidated conclusion that it is necessary to regulate certain provisions of legal acts to ensure full establishment of the principle of impartiality and independence of the legal institution, and suggests options for eliminating conflicts of law.

Diagnostics for detection and surveillance of priority epidemic-prone diseases in Africa: an assessment of testing capacity and laboratory strengthening needs.

In 2023, Africa experienced 180 public health emergencies, of which 90% were infectious diseases and 75% were related to zoonotic diseases. Testing capacity for epidemic-prone diseases is essential to enable rapid and accurate identification of causative agents, and for action to prevent disease spread. Moreover, testing is pivotal in monitoring disease transmission, evaluating public health interventions and informing targeted resource allocation during outbreaks. An online, self-assessment survey was conducted in African Union Member States to identify major challenges in testing for epidemic-prone diseases. The survey assessed current capacity for diagnosing priority epidemic-prone diseases at different laboratory levels. It explored challenges in establishing and maintaining testing capacity to improve outbreak response and mitigate public health impact. Survey data analysed diagnostic capacity for priority infectious diseases, diagnostic technologies in use, existing surveillance programmes and challenges limiting diagnostic capacity, by country. The survey result from 15 Member States who responded to the survey, showed high variability in testing capacity and technologies across countries and diverse factors limiting testing capacity for certain priority diseases like dengue and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever. At the same time diagnostic capacity is better for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), polio, and measles due to previous investments. Unfortunately, many countries are not utilizing multiplex testing, despite its potential to improve diagnostic access. The challenges of limited laboratory capacity for testing future outbreaks are indeed significant. Recent disease outbreaks in Africa have underscored the urgent need to strengthen diagnostic capacity and introduce cost-effective technologies. Small sample sizes and differing disease prioritisation within each country limited the analysis. These findings suggest the benefits of evaluating laboratory testing capacity for epidemic-prone diseases and highlight the importance of effectively addressing challenges to detect diseases and prevent future pandemics.