Projects
Connecting and enhancing regional disease surveillance networks around the world
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Twenty-three representatives from infectious disease surveillance networks in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, including leading experts in epidemiological surveillance and health informatics, met from December 2-6, 2007 at the Rockefeller Conference Center in Bellagio, Italy. Their aim was to share best practices and lessons learned and recommend action required to advance the global capacity for public health surveillance with particular attention to infectious disease surveillance in developing countries. NTI's Global Health and Security Initiative, with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, led the organization of the Bellagio event and it is the focal point for future action. |
As a result of the December conference, the "Call for Action" was launched on January 31, 2008 at the Prince Mahidol Award Conference, a gathering of global leaders in public health held in Bangkok, Thailand. In the Call for Action, the participants called on governments, international intergovernmental organizations and private foundations, and committed themselves to implement and carry forward a series of actions, in particular:
- To further strengthen national capacity and regional networks based on effective communication through electronic means, by regular meetings and joint projects;
- To promote and enhance the overall global capacity for infectious disease surveillance by connecting the regional networks into a global cooperative activity, including making the December 2007 Bellagio meeting into an annual event;
- To develop and encourage collaboration between the human, animal and agricultural sectors to achieve a holistic approach to infectious disease surveillance; and,
- To promote the development of national capacities and new regional networks, particularly in Africa and South Asia.
GHSI is now working on the implementation of the Bellagio Call for Action and plans to continue the activities of a global community of infectious disease surveillance practice created by the December 2007 Bellagio meeting. Their efforts comprise a special focus on supporting nascent networks through shared best practices. With a select group of international experts to oversee the process, GHSI will be establishing working groups to develop strategies and materials for an international conference to be held in early 2010.