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Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: organising effective responses (SRHResp)

In this course, participants examine how to improve access to equitable, quality sexual and Reproductive Health/ HIV and AIDS services with a focus on rights, while improving integration of services as well as voice and participation.

This course is TropEd accredited and can be followed as a stand-alone course or as part of the Master in International Health or the Master of Public Health programmes. It is aimed at senior health managers and professionals working in sexual and public health.

Start: 08/04/2024

Duration: 3 weeks

Location: KIT, Amsterdam

EC: 4,5

Language: English

Course period (2024): from 08/04/2024 until 30/04/2024

Course fee (2024): EUR 2.390

KIT application deadline if you want to apply for OKP scholarship (course 2024): 04/06/2023

OKP scholarship application period (course 2024): 28/06/2023 until 05/09/2023 16:00 CET

KIT application deadline (Normal) (2024): 23/02/2024

Contact: courses@kit.nl

“The MPH study program was comprehensive and mixed of theories, practices, skills, tools to apply the knowledge, and real examples from developing countries. Program topics were all interesting and relevant to practical work in the field. With what I learned I can contribute to strengthening the policy and strategies relevant to health in Afghanistan.”

Khalid Sharifi from Afghanistan, MPH/ICHD 2010, background medical doctor, now working as Managing Director of Afghan NGO, Social and Health Development Program (SHDP).

“In our time, organizations and technology are evolving so rapidly that health care professionals must continually seek new skills and perspectives that enable them not only to respond to change, but also to anticipate it. And this is exactly what we were trained in KIT. Besides these academic competencies that are making a lot of difference in what I do now, staying and studying in Amsterdam also had positive effects in many ways; the principles of “equal opportunity for all people, irrespective of gender, age, race or religion” were visible in all aspects of the Dutch life.”

John Kingsley Krugu from Ghana, MPH/ICHD 2010, background in biological sciences, now PHD Research Fellow at Maastricht University.

“I work as a deputy manager in the Federal Ministry of Health within the department for emergency and humanitarian action. We cover natural disasters and conflict-affected areas, which, sadly, are numerous. By designing and implementing capacity building programmes, and working together with health partners and international donors, we try to improve our public health sector at regional levels. I came to KIT because I wanted to add more knowledge to my experience. I hope that my master’s degree from KIT will help me to influence decision-makers in Sudan.”

Shaza Sidahmed from Sudan, MPH/ICHD 2012, background medical doctor. Working for Federal Ministry of Health.

“At KIT I was particularly impressed about the course content, the teaching staff composed of world class public health experts and leading academics and researchers, as well as the support staff whose teaching, guidance and administrative support combined to improve my academic orientation and shape my thoughts about public health and its practice.”

Francis-Xavier Andoh-Adjei from Ghana, MPH/ICHD 2010, now working as Deputy Director for Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation and International Relations at the National Health Insurance Authority in Ghana. He is enrolled at Radboud University Medical Centre-Nijmegen as PHD Researcher in Health Systems and Policy.

As a health manager by profession I have mainly worked in the Netherlands. This MPH/ICHD has given me the opportunity to look beyond the borders of my home country. I did not only gain knowledge but also worked with health workers from 25 different countries which had a huge impact on my own ideas about global health. Working in an International health environment was a real privilege and I have enjoyed every moment.”

Fried Lammerink from the Netherlands, MPH/ICHD 2009, educational background: Nursing & Management. Now working as Policy Advisor Government of Lesotho.

Content

Improving access to equitable and quality sexual and reproductive health, including HIV and AIDS related services, is a major priority in global public health. This makes effective organisation of these services critical.

This module puts rights at the centre of SRHR and builds on the best contemporary evidence to critically analyse effective responses across the constituent parts of the health system. It also addresses serious questions on the evolving role of health system in the process of addressing SHR/HIV and AIDS i.e. When, whether or how should the health system lead, follow or facilitate? Participants critically examine synergies and efficiencies, and the trade-offs that need to made in the process of integrating different kinds of services within and without the domain of SRHR.

The module focuses on considerations of equity, voice, accountability and participation in the organisation of responses and services, and concentrates on making services accessible to marginalised groups. This module translates the principles of sound SRHR/HIV and AIDS responses into practice.

Effective written communication and advocating to a lay audience regarding SRHR is a key competency which will be developed through writing a news release on SRHR policy, services and/or special target groups.

Objectives

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

describe and analyze components of effective SRHR responses, including HIV in the context of health system in low and middle income countries

analyse existing SRHR services from the perspective of marginalized and vulnerable groups and provide recommendations on how to enhance equitable access and quality of care

use evidence to formulate and clearly communicate context-appropriate strategies to address issues related to SRHR to diverse audiences (a news release for general public and constructive feedback to peers)critically analyse various concepts related to sexual and reproductive health and rights within a development context

Content

Organizing effective responses to SRHR including HIV and concepts health systems and service delivery

Organizing human resources for health and changing roles and responsibilities of the health sector in responding to SRHR including HIV

Monitoring and evaluation of SRHR programs

Key aspects of SRHR and HIV programs, e.g.: adolescents and youth-friendly health services, family planning, abortion, quality of care, maternal, new born, and child health, Gender Based Violence, (GBV), Counseling and Testing and ART services, including attention to health advocacy and health promotion

Opportunities for synergies and considerations for integrations of services: e.g. Prevention Mother To Child Transmission and Family Planning (FP), FP and sexual health, STI and HIV

Continuum of Care models for SRHR and how to organise them

Reducing stigma and discrimination and ensuring sexual and reproductive rights

Enhancing accountability and participation of marginalized and vulnerable groups in organizing responses

Client-centered approaches to SRHR including motivational interviewing

Advocacy, writing a news release, giving peer feedback

Application

Admission criteria

Academic training or a professional qualification in a relevant field

At least 2 years work experience in a related area, preferably in a low and middle income country

Proficiency in spoken and written English

Application procedure

The application package is due two months before the start of the course.

Please upload your application online. The following documents should be uploaded:

A one-page letter of motivation

Copies of your diplomas and grade reports

An up-to-date curriculum vitae and a list of publications if applicable

What we expect from your motivation letter:
Please indicate in your motivation letter why you want to follow this specific course, why you want to follow the course at KIT Amsterdam, what do you expect to learn and how you will apply your newly gained competencies from the course in your work, what kind of benefits will it bring to your future career, etc. Describe a relevant problem you have experienced in the last two years that you would like to discuss during this specific course. Your motivation should be about ½-1 page. Please do not repeat your CV again.

This course can be taken on its own or as advanced module for the Master of Public Health or the Master in International Health (MIH) programme.

FAQ Online Application System

Do you have a question about our Online Application System? Then you can find the answer in our FAQ Online Application System:

Go to our FAQ Online Application System-page

Practical information

Location

Classes are normally held at KIT’s training facilities in Amsterdam.

In 2020 and 2021 this course was exceptionally given as a virtual learning course due to Covid-19. Should in the future the situation not allow for face-to-face learning, we will consider to give this course via e-learning again. All admitted applicants will be informed automatically if anything changes in the set-up of this course.

Accommodation

There is a severe shortage of student accommodation in Amsterdam and participants are advised to contact KIT for information. KIT will endeavour to assist participants in their search for housing.

Visa requirements

Citizens of most EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries do not need a visa to enter the Netherlands. Visit the Nuffic website for the latest information on visa requirements.

Participants from other countries must obtain a short-stay visa (for up to three months) through the Netherlands embassy or consulate covering the applicant’s country. Applicants will need a letter of admission to the course and proof of sponsorship or sufficient funds to cover the course fee, travel and accommodation costs. Applicants should take into account that in some countries this procedure can take several months.

Insurance requirements

Course participants and accompanying dependents are required by Dutch law to have health, accident and third party insurance. Unless their current insurance policy covers their stay abroad, participants must insure themselves and their dependents in the Netherlands. Dutch insurance companies offer reasonable rates to foreign students.

Funding

The arrangement of financial support to cover all study costs is the responsibility of the applicant. KIT does not offer financial support or scholarships.

OKP scholarships

For this course and a number of other KIT courses funding from the Orange Knowledge Programme OKP is available for applicants from OKP countries. See the OKP page for more information on the eligible countries, eligibility criteria and application instructions. Applicants from OKP countries are strongly encouraged to apply for an OKP scholarship.

The OKP application needs to be submitted via an online application system from Nuffic. All accepted applicants from OKP eligible countries will receive the link to apply automatically when the application period opens.

ATTENTION: OKP application period has changed for 2023. The application period is from June-September. This means the academic application deadline is also earlier.
See top of this page for the OKP application deadline for this course.
You are advised to apply as early as possible.
See the detailed instructions on OKP information.

European Credits

The European Credit Transfer System (EC) facilitates the transfer of course credits between different institutions of the same academic level. A course comprising 28 hours of formal teaching and private study is equivalent to one EC credit point.

Accreditation

This course is also accredited for the Master in International Health programme organised by tropEd, a network of European institutions for higher education in international health.