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African Field Epidemiology Network

Strengthening the Capacity of AFENET

Health Systems 20/20 has completed the first year of institutional strengthening assistance of the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET). AFENET’s objectives are to strengthen capacity in field epidemiology and laboratory training and practice, promote and support research activities, engage in advocacy, mobilize resources, and link public health professionals to organizations that address health problems that require expertise in field epidemiology. Established in 2005, AFENET has five institutional members that include four of the strongest schools of public health in Africa. The schools of public health are joined by other organizations in sub-Saharan Africa with field epidemiology training programs (FETP), and ministries of health that are in the process of developing their own FETP or field epidemiology laboratory training program (FELTP).

Based in Kampala, Uganda, AFENET is run by a six-person secretariat consisting of the executive director, program manager, two program officers, administrative officer, and information technology (IT) officer. AFENET’s new governance structure calls for a seven-person board of directors consisting of representatives from members, WHO/AFRO, and the private sector.

As a newly established organization, AFENET had a number of institutional needs to address to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability over the long term and to broaden its activities. To assist in addressing these needs, USAID requested Health Systems 20/20 in February 2007 to provide institutional strengthening assistance to AFENET. Health Systems 20/20 carried out a rapid organizational assessment and, based on the findings, developed an intervention plan for a one-year program of assistance. The results from the assistance to date are the following:

  • Developed an Accounting and Administrative Procedures Manual that includes chapters on roles and responsibilities, accounting policies and procedures, operational or administrative procedures, procurement, asset management, and human resource management.
  • Revised AFENET’s Constitution to clarify membership, organizational structure, composition of the board of directors, and the roles, responsibilities, and authorities of the executive director and secretariat.
  • Upgraded the communication infrastructure (and more broadly the IT infrastructure) of the secretariat. This included installing a new server, establishing a local area network and a virtual private network (VPN), installing Skype and video conferencing, and converting the database of network resources to an accessible format and making it available to AFENET’s members via the VPN.
  • Developed a resource mobilization plan consisting of two aspects: Part I, Strategic Direction, and Part II, Priority-Based Resource Mobilization Action Plan.

 

Health Systems 20/20 assistance will continue in FY 2009 and include such activities as development of a 3-5 year strategic plan, implementation of the resource mobilization plan, development of a human resources plan in light of expected growth, and helping AFENET to establish the systems and procedures required to receive direct USAID funding.


For more information on AFENET, visit www.afenet.net.