EG Chairs and ITAs
Fourth Meeting
Vilnius, Lithuania
26 February 2007
Reference / EG Chairs and ITAs 4/4.3/Info 1Title / Brief overview of the NDPHS (core) Expert Groups
Submitted by / Secretariat
Summary / Note / This document provides a brief overview of the core Expert Groups of the NDPHS. The Secretariat would like to discuss it with the EGs with a view to agreeing what information about their own groups they would like to see presented on the new NDPHS website.
NB. This document is not yet complete. The missing information is highlighted.
Requested action / Information and reference
NDPHS Expert Group on HIV/AIDS
Information in Brief
Composition
The group consists of high-level experts representing partner countries. It continues the work of the HIV Expert Group under the Task Force of the Council of Baltic Sea States. The work started in 2001 and in Tallinn,in December 2004, the working principles were modified to meet the requirements of the NDP.
Overall Goal
The overall goal of the Expert Group is to enhance regional collaboration in the field of HIV and STI prevention. The main focal areas are surveillance, general awareness and policy development, legislation and policies, prevention and, treatment, care and support. Partners in the collaboration may be governmental agencies, hospitals, universities as well as non-governmental organizations.
Mandate
The Mandate of the Expert Group is described in theTerms of Reference. Furthermore, the Annual Action Plan assigns implementation priorities for the current year.
Activities
The Expert Group is reviewing the epidemiology and policies in partner countries, make initiatives to establish networking projects, review and approve project proposals and maintain database of them. It also helps finding funding partners and gives peer evaluation and support to implement the projects.
Achievements
During the first years (2001-2004) more than 20 projects were implemented creating networks involving the Nordic countries, Baltic countries, Germany, Poland and Russia. Recently new partner countries have joined making wider collaboration feasible in the future. Currently several projects are ongoing and new initiatives have been taken. The main focus right now is targeted prevention among vulnerable groups such as young people and people at risk for drug dependence or other behavioral patterns. Also, nondiscriminatory implementation of antiretroviral treatment is high in the agenda.
Projects:
Prevention and Management of HIV/AIDS and Opportunistic Infections in North-West Russia – (Dan Church aid project proposal)
See also: HIV/AIDS EG Progress Report 2005
Cooperation
The Expert Group co-ordinates and co-operates with other relevant Partnership Expert Groups, notably the and other stakeholders in the area of HIV/AIDS
Forthcoming Events
The 6th Meeting of the NDPHS Expert Group on HIV/AIDS is going to be held on 14-15 March 2007, in Berlin, Germany.
Contact:
Chairman of the HIV/AIDS Expert Group
Mr. Pauli Leinikki
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Tel.: +358 (9) 4744 8403
E-mail:
ITA forthe HIV/AIDS Expert Group
Ms Outi Karvonen
Programme Co-ordinator
The Barents HIV/AIDS Programme
ITA for HIV/AIDS
EU Northern Dimension Partnership
National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES) International Development Collaboration P.O.Box 220
(Street address: Lintulahdenkuja 4)
FI-00531 Helsinki, Finland
tel. +358-9-39672046
mobile +358-400-358011
fax +358-9-7732922
e-mail:
NDPHS Expert Group on Primary Health Care
Information in Brief
Composition
The group consists of high-level experts representing partner countries. It was transferred from the CBSS Task Force on Communicable Disease Control in the Baltic Sea Region to the Partnership in September 2004 in connection with the finalizing of the Task Force. In Tallinn, in December 2004, the working principles were modified to meet the requirements of the NDP.
Overall Goal
The main role of the PHC Expert Group is to act as the focal point for national inputs from the Partner Countries and Organisations. In this capacity, the PHC Expert Group has the overall objectives to work towards the inclusion of policies to emphasize the priority of primary health care on political agendas, support co-ordinated and collaborative efforts to work towards the improvement of health service systems and health sector reforms, and to promote networking and partnership building among relevant stakeholders.
Mandate
The Mandate of the Expert Group is described in the EG’s Terms of Reference. The Annual Action Plan assigns implementation priorities for the current year.
Activities
The Expert Groupis developing primary health and social care services and responding appropriately and equally to the needs of the people, as part of the health care systems. This includes implementation activities on:
-modern Primary Health Care
-Systems Development
-Human Resource Development
-Promotion of Public Health and Prevention of Diseases
-Improvement of the Service Provision.
Achievements
The Expert Group carried out a Logical Framework Analysis in 2005. This was followed by the adoption of the Working Groups’ Terms of References, and Annual workplan. Sweden provided strong financial support to the working group. The recruitment of an International Technical Adviser was suggested and project proposals were to be developed.
Forthcoming Events
The 3rd Meeting of the NDPHS Expert Group on Primary Health Care is going to take place on 22-23 Februray in Cracow, Poland.
Contact:
Chairman of the PHC Expert Group
Mr.Carl-EricThors,M.D
Sannesgatan1
SE-43237Varberg, Sweden
Phone:+46708156329
E-mail:
ITA forthe PHC Expert Group
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
NDPHS Expert Group on Prison Health
Information in Brief
Composition
The group consists of high-level experts representing partner countries. The NDPHS Expert Group on Prison Healthwas established during the 3rdCSR meeting inCopenhagen on 20-21 September 2004.
Overall Goal
The main role of the Expert Groupon Prison Health is to act as the focal point for national inputs from the Partner Countries and Organizations. In this capacity, the Expert Grouphas the overall objective to work towards theimprovement of prison systems and prison reforms, and to promote networking and partnership building among relevant stakeholders
Mandate
The Mandate of the Expert Group is described in the EG’s Terms of Reference. The Annual Action Plan(there is no action plan yet)assigns implementation priorities for the current year.
Activities
Within this scope of responsibilities, the EG on Prison Health undertakes the following specific activities:
- Establish close connections and co-operation with other PartnershipExpert Groups, especially the EGs on HIV/AIDS and Primary Health Care, as well as the epidemiology training group;
- Support initiatives for reorienting prison systems to improve the implementation and status of health care;
- Collaborate with other relevant organisations with compatible objectives, especially those working towards healthy life styles and disease prevention and including those from other sectors which have an impact on prison health;
- Provide professional advice and technical support to relevant authorities, such as by meeting with authorities, visiting Partner Countries and through written correspondence;
- Propose topics and issues for new project proposals on prison health;
- In selected cases, act as a technical referee for new project proposals, project identification, planning, implementation and monitoring. This includes making recommendations on project proposals and implementation, as well as assisting in planning, as requested, including in the development of terms of reference for such reviews;
- Monitor and evaluate the results of projects and activities implemented under the Partnership initiative, in order to ensure that financing is allocated in a way that achieves maximum results;
- Assist in initiating, catalyzing, and promoting relevant project initiatives, evaluate and discuss project proposals with project owners and also support ongoing projects in the field of prison health and social well-being in the Northern Dimension area;
- Advise and, if necessary, assist project groups in contacting financiers and recommend relevant project proposals to financial bodies within the Northern Dimension area;
- Formulate criteria for future support for projects in the field of Prison. This should include the application of the Logical Framework Approach (LFA);
- Provide the Partnership website/database with information concerning the Expert Group’s work;
- When relevant, review the Expert Group’s Terms of Reference and advise on any necessary amendments;
Cooperation
The Expert Group co-ordinates and co-operates with other relevant Partnership Expert Groups.
Forthcoming Events
The 2nd Meeting of the NDPHS Expert Group on Prison Health is going to take place on 13-14 February in Oslo, Norway.
Contact:
Chairthe PH Expert Group
Ms. Ingrid Lyche Ellingsen
Styrmoes vei 13
3043 Drammen
Norway
Phone: +47 (32) 83 23 70
Mobile: +47 (906) 49 640
E-mail:
ITA forthe PH Expert Group
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
NDPHS Expert Group on Social Inclusion, Healthy Lifestyles and Work Ability (SIHLWA)
Information in Brief
Composition
The group consists of high-level experts representing partner countries. The NDPHS Expert Group on Social Inclusion, Healthy Lifestyles and Work Ability (SIHLWA)was established during the 5th CSR meeting inVilnius, Lithuania on 14-15 April 2005. It held its 1st meeting in Stockholm in November 2005. The Expert Group has three sub-groups on alcohol; adolescent health and socially rewarding lifestyles; and occupational safety and health.
Overall Goal
The main role of the EG on SIHLWA is to assist in co-ordinating and further developing the Partnership’s co-operation in the fields of alcohol and binge-drinking, young peoples’ lifestyles, and occupational safety and health. In this capacity, the EG on SIHLWA has the overall objective to emphasize the priorities of support national, regional or local programmes in its respective fields of co-operation.
The themes of the three Sub-grous are:
Sub-group on alcohol:
Prevention and control of harmful use of alcohol.
Sub-group on adolescent health and socially-rewarding lifestyles
Health promotion and problem prevention among adolescents. Lifestyles, social inclusion, coping skills, focus on risk-groups (smoking, use of drugs, alcohol, obesity, mental health etc.). Holistic approach.
Sub-group on occupational safety and health (OSH)
Occupational Safety and Health based on ILO, WHO, and Baltic Sea Network experience.
Mandate
The Mandate of the Expert Group is described in the EG’s Terms of Reference. The Annual Action Plan assigns implementation priorities for the current year.
Activities
SIHLWA planned activities in 2007:
-SIHLWA stakeholder analysis.
-Continued work on strengthening links with main partners (especially WHO-EURO, ILO/Russia, and national actors on NCDs and healthy lifestyles.
-Collaboration and updating SIHLWA projects in the new NDPHS data base.
The main tasks for the three SIHLWA Sub-groups shall be as follows:
Sub-group on alcohol planned activities in 2007
-Work against further weakening of national alcohol policies. (Within the EU, alcohol related questions are a legitimate public health issue requiring comprehensive strategies and policies.)
-Dissemination of effective short-intervention methods under the SIHLWA umbrella will be important.
Sub-group on adolescent health and socially-rewarding lifestyles planned activities in 2007
-Collaboration with the Canadian project on non-communicable diseases and promotion of healthy and socially rewarding lifestyles among First Nation” (Canada) and among other indigenous populations in the north
-Support to northern indigenous people’s community for the development and implementation of appropriate alcohol policies.
-Develop and implement a healthy lifestyles policy strategy for the community.
Sub-group on occupational safety and health (OSH) planned activities 2007
-Analytical overview of the occupational safety and health service/systems situation (ongoing)-(link)
-Undertaking a systems’ development and intervention plan for interested ND region countries on work ability and work-related injuries and diseases. Issues like obesity, alcohol, tobacco, etc. will be reviewed through rapid assessment procedures and practical interventions will be produced and tested. (link)
Achievements
The Expert group has held 3 meetings, which addresses the general structure of the group, discussed the strategy, Terms of Reference and Action plan and focussed on project planning, preparation and implementation. SIHLWA has created three subgroups, who are actively working on developing and implementing SIHLWA projects. The Group’s Terms of Reference/Mandate was adopted in 2006 by the Committee of Senior Representatives.
The setting up of the group has brought together key stakeholders from the core health constituencies within the health system and broader society, including those other government sectors whose policies impact on health;
Projects
Sub-group on alcohol
-Disseminating brief-intervention to tackle alcohol dependency by health services in selected NDPHS area countries (e.g. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russian Federation and Norway(link)
Sub-group on adolescent health and socially-rewarding lifestyles
-Alcohol and Drug Prevention among Youth in St. Petersburg (link)
-Children at Risk- Project in St. Petersburg (link)
Sub-group on occupational safety and health (OSH)
-Improved occupational safety and health (OSH) system in Northwest Russia
-Joint Baltic Sea Network/BSN OSH project on systematic approach to work related diseases.(link)
Cooperation
The Expert Group cooperates with other relevant Partnership Expert Groups, and in particular with stakeholders of The Baltic Sea OSH network (BSN)
Forthcoming Events
-The 4thMeeting of the SIHLWAExpert Group is going to take place on 29-30 May 2007 in Helsinki, Finland.
-Conference “Reducing Problems in the Baltic Sea Region: Effective approaches to tackle alcohol related problems in local communities“.12-13 March 2007 in Riga, Latvia.
-Seminar on alcohol control policies in the NDP area for policy makers and administrators in 2007 (date tba).
-Workshop on EU alcohol legislation, reviewing past court cases (date tba)
Contacts:
SIHLWA EG Coordinating Chairman:
Dr. Mikko Vienonen
Coordinator for SIHLWA EG
Sysimiehenkuja 1
00670 Helsinki
FINLAND
Home phone: +358 9 7248621
Mobile: +358 50 4421877
E-mail:
Sub-group on alcohol (ALC)
The Chair of theSub-group Coordinating is changing from January 1st 2007. WHO-EURO will nominate a new Chair for the subgroup.
Until then, please contact Dr. Mikko VIENONEN, NDPHS/ Coordinating Chair for Expert Group SIHLWA (see contact information above).
Sub-group on adolescent health and socially-rewarding lifestyles (ADO)
The Chair of theSub-group
Mr. Kari Paaso
Phone: +45 (3) 9171530
Fax:
E-mail:
Sub-group on occupational safety and health (OSH)
The Chair of theSub-group
Mr. Wiking Husberg,
OSH Specialist ILO,
RUSSIA
Phone: + 7 (495) 933-08-27;
Fax: +7 (495) 033-08-20;
E-mail:
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EG_Chairs_and_ITAs_4-4.3-Info_1,_Brief_overview_of_NDPHS_EGs