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Minor International Health
CoordinatorsDr. Henri van Asten (H.vanAsten@aig.umcn.nl)
Rob Baltussen (R.Baltussen@elg.umcn.nl)
Dr. Francoise Barten (F.Barten@elg.umcn.nl)
Description
International health is a new discipline that systematically compares factors that affect the health of all human populations - with a special focus on poverty-related health problems in low- and middle-income countries. International health includes the promotion of health, prevention and treatment of diseases, palliative care and rehabilitation. Knowledge of the major endemic diseases and studies of health systems, health economics, health policy and management of health services are central.
A large number of (trans-national) organizations world-wide strive to overcome the obstacles to gaining global health. These includes organization such as the World Health Organization, USAID, UNAID. In addition, there are non-governmental organizations of all types, including religious agencies or independent groups such as Cordaid, Médecins Sans Frontières or Oxfam / Novib, universities, as well as a growing number of private for-profit or nonprofit consulting firms. All of these organizations need qualified personnel with a sound formal training in international health. But also without selecting an international career, a study abroad will give you a fresh outlook on health back home: the Netherlands and health sciences will never be the same.
Objectives
The main objective of this minor is that students of biomedical sciences can profile themselves in the field of international health. More specific the aims are to provide students an understanding on the root-causes of ill-health, the burden of disease in low- and middle income countries, poverty-related disease control, the health systems and related interventions that address this burden, and the role of international organizations.
Positioning of the minor in biomedical sciences master at Radboud University
Because the topics of study are public health related, the minor international health can be combined with any of the majors, but especially with the Majors Health Technology Asssesment, Epidemiology or Human Pathobiology.
Requirements
The minor international health requires a minimum of 22 EC, and consists of two parts, a mandatory course and a placement abroad:
1. The mandatory course 5KVZ2 ‘International public health’ (5.5 EC). The course focuses on patterns of disease, health systems, global health initiatives and local action, based on principles as primary health care and community involvement. (There are limited options to replace 5KVZ-2 by 5KVZ1 ‘Health and disease in developing countries’ or 5KVZ-7 ‘AIDS’ as mandatory course. This is only possible in special circumstances, consult the coordinator to discuss this). The course is organised twice per year: once as a regular elective in period 8, and once as an ad-hoc course for interested students in period 2. Students preferably attend the course before the internship (in special circumstances, it is also possible to attend the course after the internship – consult the coordinator to discuss this).
2. An internship in an international environment of at least 12 weeks (17 EC). For this internship, three main options are available:
a. Community Health Rotation at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Dar-es-Salaam Tanzania, under the responsibility of the School of Public Health and Social Sciences. Three times a year, a maximum of two Dutch Biomedical Sciences students can enroll in this Rotation. The rotation combines an internship in community health with limited research activities. Although the language of instruction at MUHAS is English, all communication with the community is in Swahili. Participation in the Swahili course, held twice in June and January, is therefore a prerequisite. The student must pass a written test, and deliver four reports. The final mark will be determined by the student's supervisor at UMCN. More information on this option is available from Drs. Henri van Asten.
b. A research elective in a research / development project abroad. This may be especially relevant to students in the Research profile, but also to those in the other profiles. Research can be performed in all aspects of International Health, is integrated in a research project abroad, and the student is locally supervised. Research electives on public health / health systems are coordinated by Dr. Rob Baltussen. Research electives on poverty-related disease control (see http://www.niih.nl/ for activities of PRIOR and APRIORI research networks) are coordinated by Drs Henri van Asten. The capacity for this option is limited by the possibilities to participate in a research project abroad. Students are therefore also encouraged to contact development / research organizations themselves, in which case research plans are defined in collaboration with the local research project and the RUNMC supervisor. The student must deliver a research report. A final mark will be determined by both the local and the RUNMC supervisor.
c. An internship in a United Nations organization. Most UN organizations offer possibilities for internships within their organization. In relation to health sciences, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the UN Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) are most relevant. These organizations must be contacted directly. More information on this option is available from both Drs. van Asten and Dr. Rob Baltussen.
Further information
More detailed information on the Minor International Health (incl. web links) can be found at http://www.niih.nl. Students can find information on scholarships at the International Office of the Radboud University.
International health is a new discipline that systematically compares factors that affect the health of all human populations - with a special focus on poverty-related health problems in low- and middle-income countries. International health includes the promotion of health, prevention and treatment of diseases, palliative care and rehabilitation. Knowledge of the major endemic diseases and studies of health systems, health economics, health policy and management of health services are central.
A large number of (trans-national) organizations world-wide strive to overcome the obstacles to gaining global health. These includes organization such as the World Health Organization, USAID, UNAID. In addition, there are non-governmental organizations of all types, including religious agencies or independent groups such as Cordaid, Médecins Sans Frontières or Oxfam / Novib, universities, as well as a growing number of private for-profit or nonprofit consulting firms. All of these organizations need qualified personnel with a sound formal training in international health. But also without selecting an international career, a study abroad will give you a fresh outlook on health back home: the Netherlands and health sciences will never be the same.
Objectives
The main objective of this minor is that students of biomedical sciences can profile themselves in the field of international health. More specific the aims are to provide students an understanding on the root-causes of ill-health, the burden of disease in low- and middle income countries, poverty-related disease control, the health systems and related interventions that address this burden, and the role of international organizations.
Positioning of the minor in biomedical sciences master at Radboud University
Because the topics of study are public health related, the minor international health can be combined with any of the majors, but especially with the Majors Health Technology Asssesment, Epidemiology or Human Pathobiology.
Requirements
The minor international health requires a minimum of 22 EC, and consists of two parts, a mandatory course and a placement abroad:
1. The mandatory course 5KVZ2 ‘International public health’ (5.5 EC). The course focuses on patterns of disease, health systems, global health initiatives and local action, based on principles as primary health care and community involvement. (There are limited options to replace 5KVZ-2 by 5KVZ1 ‘Health and disease in developing countries’ or 5KVZ-7 ‘AIDS’ as mandatory course. This is only possible in special circumstances, consult the coordinator to discuss this). The course is organised twice per year: once as a regular elective in period 8, and once as an ad-hoc course for interested students in period 2. Students preferably attend the course before the internship (in special circumstances, it is also possible to attend the course after the internship – consult the coordinator to discuss this).
2. An internship in an international environment of at least 12 weeks (17 EC). For this internship, three main options are available:
a. Community Health Rotation at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Dar-es-Salaam Tanzania, under the responsibility of the School of Public Health and Social Sciences. Three times a year, a maximum of two Dutch Biomedical Sciences students can enroll in this Rotation. The rotation combines an internship in community health with limited research activities. Although the language of instruction at MUHAS is English, all communication with the community is in Swahili. Participation in the Swahili course, held twice in June and January, is therefore a prerequisite. The student must pass a written test, and deliver four reports. The final mark will be determined by the student's supervisor at UMCN. More information on this option is available from Drs. Henri van Asten.
b. A research elective in a research / development project abroad. This may be especially relevant to students in the Research profile, but also to those in the other profiles. Research can be performed in all aspects of International Health, is integrated in a research project abroad, and the student is locally supervised. Research electives on public health / health systems are coordinated by Dr. Rob Baltussen. Research electives on poverty-related disease control (see http://www.niih.nl/ for activities of PRIOR and APRIORI research networks) are coordinated by Drs Henri van Asten. The capacity for this option is limited by the possibilities to participate in a research project abroad. Students are therefore also encouraged to contact development / research organizations themselves, in which case research plans are defined in collaboration with the local research project and the RUNMC supervisor. The student must deliver a research report. A final mark will be determined by both the local and the RUNMC supervisor.
c. An internship in a United Nations organization. Most UN organizations offer possibilities for internships within their organization. In relation to health sciences, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the UN Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) are most relevant. These organizations must be contacted directly. More information on this option is available from both Drs. van Asten and Dr. Rob Baltussen.
Further information
More detailed information on the Minor International Health (incl. web links) can be found at http://www.niih.nl. Students can find information on scholarships at the International Office of the Radboud University.
