Entry requirements

First degree, basic academic or Bachelor's degree, min 180 ECTS (or 120 Swedish credits) either in medicine, nursing, nutrition or another health-related field such as health sciences, social sciences, dietetics etc.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of the course students should be able to:

Analyse and appraise global and local burden of disease, determinants of health and origin of disease with special reference to the role of gender, vulnerable groups, the interrelationship with poverty, disaster and refugee situations

Analyse and appraise health risks and diseases from an epidemiological perspective

Plan for different kinds of needs assessment missions

Differentiate between different systems for health care delivery including provision of pharmaceutical drugs, and logistics

Plan for health interventions in accordance to international standards and guidelines

Analyse the role of the main infectious such as pneumonia, diarrhoeas diseases, malaria, tuberculosis, STDs including HIV/AIDS, Leishmaniasis, Trypanosomiasis, Schistosomiasis, skin and eye diseases, emerging infections and epidemic outbreaks and plan for interventions

Differentiate globally important nutrient deficiencies. Review the interrelationship with poverty, infections and other determinants. Plan for optimal feeding practices including breastfeeding, nutrition rehabilitation of severely malnourished children at clinic and home

Review global child mortality patterns and global commitments for children where resources are scarce. Differentiate between common child hood infections. Understand the interaction between nutrition and infections, and plan integrated curative and preventive services for common childhood illnesses

Plan for a situation analysis of reproductive health situation and organise antenatal, appropriate family planning services, and STD programs. Plan community based programs for prevention of gender based violence

Plan for training of staff in a multi-disciplinary health team in health development work or humanitarian action

Content

The course consists of the following modules: International public health in humanitarian action; Disease surveillance; Infectious diseases and epidemics; Nutrition; Child health; Sexual and reproductive health; Introduction to project planning; Staff training.

Instruction

The course consists of a series of lectures, seminars, group work, and individuals project work. Sessions are interactive and students are encouraged to draw on their own experiences and exposure to issues relating to international health.

Assessment

Differnet assessment procedures are used to measure attainment of learning objectives for example, a quiz, an open book exam, project work including orally and written presentation of result and a home exam.

Grades given are "passed" or "failed".

Other regulations

Selection criteria: Will be specified by MSF.

Attendance: 25 students maximum.