SPC Initiative Update
Research, Evidence and Information (REI)
Programme
PHD
57th PIHOA Executive Meeting, Palau
9th -12th March, 2015
Dr Yvan Souares, Deputy Director PHD: yvans@spc.int
Dr Adam Roth, Epidemiologist and Team Leader Operation and
Research: adamr@spc.int
Dr Damian Hoy, Epidemiologist: damianh@spc.int
Ms Salanieta Duituturaga, Team Leader: Health Laboratory
Strengthening: salad@spc.int
Mr Tebuka Toatu, Laboratory Specialist: tebukat@spc.int
Presentation Outline:
• Brief epidemiological overview
• PPHSN
• Enhanced surveillance for mass gatherings
• REI Achievements/Outcomes for 2014
• REI Planned activities for 2015
Brief epidemiological overview
Pacific Public Health Surveillance
Network (PPHSN)
What is PPHSN?
• PPHSN is a voluntary network of countries/territories and
institutions/ organisations – 1996, SPC & WHO
• Dedicated to promotion of public health surveillance &
response
• Current focus on CDs: outbreak-prone diseases
• PPHSN Goal is to improve public health surveillance and
response in the Pacific Islands, in a sustainable way
PPHSN Institutional Framework
Pacific Island Countries and Territories
PPHSN services
• PacNet
Alert and Communication
• LabNet
Verification and Identification
• EpiNet
Investigation and Response
• PICNet - Infection Control
LabNet
A three-tier level network of laboratories
• L1 labs – labs of the PPHSN member countries.
• L2 labs – are regional labs which perform the first level of
confirmation testing for L1 labs.
• L3 labs – are PPHSN reference laboratories. Perform more
sophisticated testing important for epidemiological and
surveillance information.
Provides recommendations and support for shipping and testing
of specimens.
Enhanced
surveillance for
mass gatherings
Mass gatherings
• Potential for communicable diseases to spread efficiently and
rapidly.
• Enhanced surveillance (ES) is increasingly being used for mass
gatherings:
1. Detecting and responding to disease outbreaks in a timely and
effective manner;
2. Durable surveillance system improvements; and
3. Disseminating epidemiological information through the Region
to assist with preparedness.
REI Achievements since 2014 to date:
• Collaborate with PIHOA and other PPHSN partners to the
delivery of the DDM four-module course in the USAPIs.
• Completion of DDM1 in Guam and Palau
• Completion of DDM2 and DDM3 in Guam
• Establish and coordinate the delivery of the PPHSN
Strengthening Health Intervention in the Pacific Programme
(PPHSN-SHIP).
• Assist in establishing evidence-based policies to contribute
controlling the regional NCD crisis.
• Support the evaluation of the outcomes of NCD-related
policies in place, e.g. tobacco-free, soft drinks and/or salt
and/or healthy local food consumption.
REI Achievements since 2014 to date:
• Support Public Health Surveillance during the Micronesian
Games, July 2014.
• Networking with PPHSN partners on current outbreaks as
reported in the weekly Surveillance Syndromic Report.
• Provided TA support to Pohnpei State Laboratory to
strengthen Lab-based surveillance.
• Completion of pre and post assessment report on
Microbiology and lab-based surveillance systems for Pohnpei
State Laboratory.
REI Achievements since 2014 to date:
• Conducted capacity building on microbiology and parasitology
testing processes at Pohnpei State Laboratory.
• Completed laboratory M&E for TB and STI/HIV and follow up
on outbreak prone diseases and microbiology testing
processes for Chuuk, Pohnpei, RMI (Majuro and Ebeye) and
Palau.
• In collaboration with WHO and PIHOA, co-facilitated Ebola
Preparedness and Infection Control training for FSM.
• Provided constant off-shore technical advice and support to
RMI on the maintenance issues for their BD Probe Tec
Analyser.
• Contributed and provided technical advice during the 2015
AUL meeting in Guam.
REI Planned Activities in the USAPIs
for 2015:
• Consultation with Guam DOH and PIHOA including
other key stakeholders in the planning and
strengthening of public health surveillance – 2016
FOPA in Guam.
• Conduct DDM 4 (May) in Guam
• Conduct DDM 5: “Supervision of research or
surveillance projects”
REI Planned activities in the USAPIs
for 2015:
• Microbiology upskilling training at GPHL – SPC/PIHOA
capacity building initiative for GPHL.
• Strengthening of laboratory-based surveillance
systems and linking it to syndromic surveillance at
GPHL.
• Ongoing consultation and assist PIHOA in the
laboratory strengthening activities including LQMS
implementations of L1 laboratories in the USAPIs.
Acknowledgements
• PPHSN core members: all PICTs
• PPHSN allied partners: PIHOA,
WHO, CDC, FNU, SPC, RAPID
• Funders: French Fund, Australia
DFAT, NZAID, CDC, EU