Service-oriented training in public health: a model for enhancing public health surveillance in the Pacific

There is a need for a coordinated, sustainable, in-service, training programme in surveillance and other public health activities. This should be available for all levels of health personal throughout the Pacific. The model advocates continuing education and in-service training that immediately and directly enhances surveillance. Specific educational objectives for surveillance should be based on the needs of the work environment while the graduate degree training should include broader objectives integrated with established public health training courses. It is suggested that the Secretariat of the Pacific community (SPC) should provide the leadership by establishing a Centre for Coordinating Service-oriented Training in Surveillance and invite the University of PNG and the Fiji School of Medicine to incorporate training modules in surveillance into their degree programmes. Field support should be provided through the senior public health practitioners based in public health units and in health agencies throughout the region.