Preparing the Next Generation of One Health Workforce

In recognition of the importance of One Health approach in responding to global public health events, Hanoi Medical University (HMU) has recently integrated a module titled “One Health Core Competencies” into current training programs for medical, preventive medicine, and public health students. Over the past 3 years, more than 800 students at HMU have been equipped with One Health competencies. The students were given opportunities to not only gain knowledge and expertise in One Health but also to apply their gained skills to address public health issues in communities by doing fieldwork.

Additionally, with the purpose of providing an international environment for students to exchange knowledge and experiences in One Health, Hanoi Medical University decided to offer the Master of Public Health with an emphasis on One Health, in English. This program has been designed for those who aspire to gain skills to practice public health in a globalized world, especially those who wish to develop their career in One Health. With the financial support from OHW/USAID, and through SEAOHUN/VOHUN, the training and teaching material has been carefully developed and reviewed by faculties who have been trained in reputable institutions and international experts.

The course covers various important topics, from foundational knowledge including Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Global Health, Health Management and Policy, Applied Epidemiology, Health Education and Health Promotion, Research Methodology and Public Health Ethics, to specialization in Health Economics, Nutrition and Food Safety, Population and Health, and more. One Health approach has been mainstreamed into all lectures and case studies to ensure students have the technical, leadership, communication, and collaboration skills and tools needed to respond to any public health threat.

By 2020, Hanoi Medical University has enrolled 05 cohorts, a total of 91 students from over a dozen different countries in Asia (Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.), Africa (Ghana, Liberia, Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Uganda, etc.) and the U.S. All the students from the first two cohorts have successfully graduated and the third cohort is expected to graduate in September 2021. Hanoi Medical University aims to continuously improve and further develop the program to achieve its goal of training the most skilled One Health workforce of the future.

- Personal protective equipment, distancing, and group size standards in this photo were consistent with local public health guidance and COVID-19 status in the specific country and time it was taken. This may not reflect best practices for all locations where COVID-19 is still spreading. -