Training Program “Global Health Leaders” in Indonesia

From January 17 to 26, 2014, in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia took place the "Global Health Leadership" program organized by the "One Health Network of Indonesian Universities" (Indonesia) One Health University Network - INDOHUN) in partnership with USAID and the Army of Wirabuana Makassar VII.

Photo 1. Experts and students participating in the Workshop “Global Health True Leaders”

“Global Health Leadership” in Indonesia is the first regional leadership training program for medical students to develop their leadership potential in the future. The program includes training activities in global health, leadership skills taught by international faculty. After training, all members are expected to exercise their skills and knowledge through activities in various areas, including routine medical examination for the local community, raising promoting health for young people and children, planting trees and providing medical examination for livestock. The activities are conducted in one of the most disadvantaged and poorest regions in Indonesia.

With the goal of developing One Health leadership and research competencies, members have been enhanced in their knowledge of global health issues, especially infectious and regional diseases. animal. Besides, participating in the program helps to strengthen the relationship and cooperation between students from different majors. At the same time, improve engagement between students and the local community; thereby, building a spirit of service and raising community awareness for young leaders in the multidisciplinary context of One Health.

Multidisciplinary cooperation was started right at the Workshop when the program had the participation of experts from Australia, Canada, UK, Indonesia... and students in medical sciences (Medicine, Animal Science, etc.) medicine, Public Health, Pharmacy…) from all over Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand. Representing Vietnam's medical students participating in the program are 3 students who are majoring in Public Health, Preventive Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine from the Universities of Public Health, the University of Hanoi Medical School and Hanoi Agricultural University.

The workshop clarified the concept of One Health - One Health, which is defined as “The collaborative effort of many fields, working locally, nationally and globally to achieve optimal health for people. animals, and the environment” (according to the American Veterinary Medical Association). Thereby, experts show the need for cross-sectoral coordination in tackling emerging diseases. Dangerous viruses such as immunodeficiency virus and influenza virus strains are currently circulating globally and become a burden on human health. In addition, currently, viruses that spread from animals to humans have become increasingly common around the world. The world is promoting many disciplines of research to find zoonotic diseases. The rapid development of zoonotic diseases needs to be studied and controlled.

Currently, a number of world organizations are encouraging the application of this approach such as: World Health Organization (WHO), World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), Food and Agriculture Organization of the World (FAO), One Health Initiative, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ecohealth Alliance, One Health Network of Southeast Asian Universities (SEAOHUN).

Participating in the Seminar, the members have the opportunity to learn the concept of "One Health", discuss with advisors from home and abroad, as well as the opportunity to apply what they have learned while participating in the seminars. group activities, competitions, solving real and hypothetical situations, giving presentations… Especially, the members had the opportunity to go on a two-day field trip in Pattallasang district, Gowa. Field work includes free medical examination for some common diseases for people, providing basic health needs, free medicine distribution, health advice related to healthy lifestyle, medical examination for animals. raising… It is undeniable that all participating groups have made a positive contribution to the health of the community. Besides, in the field work, the members live in the houses of the local people so that they can observe the health behavior of the people - who are facing the most dangerous risks health muscle.

Photo 2. Health promotion practices for youth, children and local people.

Photo 3. Examining some common diseases and giving free medicines to local people.

Photo 4. Animal health check and tree planting in Pattallasang district, Gowa.

At the end of the course, once equipped with leadership skills and One Health competencies, the program participants are expected to become future Health Leaders. Through research, scientific articles on One Health, communication methods to the community, and multidisciplinary collaborative actions, we hope to make positive contributions to improving the state of health. human, animal and environmental health.