MAJOR ISSUES CHARACTERISING THE MPH PROGRAMME

The workshop agreed on the following broad recommendations governing the overall nature of the MPH programme:

• The Degree awarded by the Programme will be "Master of Public Health."
• The duration of the Programme will be two calendar years.
• Initially, students will be drawn from among Zimbabwean physicians currently serving in public health posts; in time, the candidate pool will be extended to non-physicians.
• The normal MoH/University admission process will be followed in selection of candidates, with interviews required if necessary.
• 75% of the Programme will be based in the field; 25% at the University of Zimbabwe.
• Problem based and student oriented teaching will be guiding principles of the programme.
• Assessment of the candidates' performance will be based on a continuous assessment (33% of final marks), a field oriented dissertation (25%), and University based exams (42%).
• The Programme will be governed by an advisory committee to the Department of Community Medicine Board. The latter will have ultimate authority for the Programme.
• Resource planning and budget submission and control will be approved by both the Ministry of Health and the University.
• The Ministry of Health and the University will each designate one individual to act as a reference point at each institution with regard to the Programme.
• All Supervisors in the Programme will be approved by the Department Board through the Advisory Committee.
• The Programme will initially have as primary field training sites selected Provincial Medical Offices within reasonable travelling distance of Harare.
• Provincial Medical Directors will be the Field Supervisors for the initial students.
• Field supervision will be directed by the Ministry of Health Coordinator, who would be an honorary member of the Department of Community Medicine.
• Lecturers from the Department of Community Medicine will also provide some field supervision. It would be appropriate for Ministry of Health personnel teaching or supervising in the Programme to be awarded honorary University appointments, if qualified.
• Continuous course evaluation will be built into the management of the Programme.

These principles should be considered as guidelines which can be amended by the agreement. The principle of providing a field-oriented education programme to resolve public health problems of Zimbabwe should ultimately guide the structure and management of the Programme.