AHI Quarterly Newsletter - September 2004

Welcome to Aus Health International's third quarterly newsletter for 2004.

PROJECTS WON AND NEW INITIATIVES

In the past 3 months, AHI has been shortlisted for the following projects:

• Cambodia: Development of Implementation Framework for Operation of Health Financing Equity Funds (ADB)

• Tajikistan: Strengthening Planning and Policy Dialogue for Health Sector Reform (ADB)

• Tajikistan: Community Participation and Public Information Campaign for Health Improvement Project (ADB)

• Turkey: Health Transition Project (WB)

• East Timor Mental Health Project - AusAID signed off on the extension phase for this project. The phase commenced on 1 July 2004 and is focused on developing capacity within MOH to take over the management of the mental health service by June 2005. East Timor's clinical practice guidelines for mental illness have been completed and are now being distributed.

• Mongolia Health Sector Development Project - three of AHI's consultants departed for Mongolia in September to work with MOH on developing curricula for clinical and non-clinical training needs.

• Nauru Health Sector Support Facility - AHI continues to provide a range of services to the Nauruan Ministry of Health including sourcing personnel, advising on infrastructure, medical supplies and equipment, and workforce planning.

• Tonga Health Sector Financing Component (World Bank) -.this Project is progressing well and our team of national accounts expert, health finance expert and stakeholder analyst will undertake their next visit in October.

• Tonga Health Sector Planning and Management Project (AusAID). The third phase of this Project has come to an end. An extension Phase has been approved and contract negotiations are underway.

• Vietnam Child Health Project -AHI's Project Manager Jackie Stephenson will undertake a consultancy in Infection Prevention in October for 5 weeks.

• A delegation from Korea including two Assistant Directors of Ministry of Health and Welfare Policy Oral Health Policy Division had a tour focusing on oral health

• In September, AHI hosted a delegation of 20 from the Danish Select Parliamentary Committee on Health who came to learn about Australian innovations in health with a special focus on the structure of Australian Health Care System; Public-Private Collocations; Psychiatry; Programs that combat diseases that result from one's lifestyle; Pre-hospital treatment and emergency care; Hospices and care for the terminally ill.

• Senior representatives from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in Solomon Islands met with Aus Health International to discuss the development of a Memorandum of Understanding on Health Services Collaboration and Cooperation between the New South Wales Health Department, Australia and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Solomon Islands

• Japan - Iwate Medical Department - Heads of various departments from different Hospitals to do a tour on the changes in the structure of NSW Health; and aged care services

• United Kingdom - Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)/Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) - Directors of Finance and Chief Executives -Focus on Commission & Providers Organisations

• Bangladesh - WB Public Health and Nutrition Project - Executive Director of Project and 5 others - Focus on nutrition across 3 states of Australia

• Polly Taie has taken up the position of Marketing Administrator with the business development team.

• AHI would like to extend a warm welcome to Martin McNamara our new Project Manager, and Yasmin Welsh, our new receptionist.