title: A North/South collaboration between two national public health institutes--a model for global health protection.
abstract: Rapid international spread of emerging infections has increased interest in strategic collaborations, as they may be the best way to protect populations. Strategic collaborations can build capacity in less-resourced settings. As specialised institutions that provide a stable locus of expertise, continuity of experience, scientific knowledge, and appropriate human, technical, and financial resources, national public health institutes (NPHIs) are well-prepared to tackle public health challenges. We describe how a collaboration between the NPHIs of England and South Africa built a mutually beneficial professional relationship to help implement the WHO International Health Regulations, build capacity for health protection, and promote the exchange of information, advice, and expertise. We illustrate how this can be achieved in a mutually beneficial way.
authors.affiliation: 1] Public Health England, Wellington House 133-155 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UG, UK [2] National Institute for Communicable Diseases, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa.
authors.forename: Chikwe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ihekweazu
authors.affiliation: Public Health England, Wellington House 133-155 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UG, UK.
authors.forename: Fortune
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ncube
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Communicable Diseases, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa.
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schoub
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Communicable Diseases, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa.
authors.forename: Lucille
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blumberg
authors.affiliation: Public Health England, Wellington House 133-155 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UG, UK.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ruggles
authors.affiliation: Public Health England, Wellington House 133-155 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UG, UK.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salter
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Communicable Diseases, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa.
authors.forename: Shabir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Madhi
authors.affiliation: Public Health England, Wellington House 133-155 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UG, UK.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kessel
mesh_terms: D057191:Capacity Building; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004739:England; D004813:Epidemiology / Q000458:organization & administration; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D007391:International Cooperation; D011635:Public Health Administration; D062486:Public Health Surveillance; D013019:South Africa