The Public Health Operations in Emergencies for National Strengthening in the Indo-Pacific (PHOENIX) Program aims to strengthen pandemic preparedness and outbreak response systems and capacity in 22 countries of the Indo-Pacific.
Given the breadth of the program, extensive collaboration using a multi-modal approach has been undertaken to first determine country public health emergency response requirements. Conference presentations, workshop attendance, on-line and in country face-to-face meetings have been undertaken to ensure that PHOENIX activities are tailored to a countries need. A key outcome from the consultation process has been support through public health emergency preparedness and response training.
In the first six months of the PHOENIX program, country activity planning has commenced for 16 of the 22 countries; Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network Tier 3 Women in Leadership training has been delivered; the Public Health Emergency Operational Readiness course has been designed, developed and delivered for Indonesia; and the Timor-Leste Joint External Evaluation has been supported.
To ensure localisation and ongoing sustainability, a multi-national PHOENIX trainer pool is in development. All trainers will complete the PHOENIX Trainer of Trainer course, to provide future trainers the knowledge and skills to teach in their country. A mentorship program is being included in the PHOENIX suite of training courses, to equip future mentors of the next generation. The trainer of trainer and mentorship approach aims to support collaboration on a national and regional level and foster collaborations through communities of practice.
In order to implement the PHOENIX program effectively, collaboration and partnership with large organisations has greatly assisted our smaller program. The World Health Organization and United States Centres for Disease Control have enabled key introductions to public health experts in country, including Ministries of Health. Partnership with non-government organisations has also been effective in localising and co-developing training products.