Recorded presentation

Stephen Musau and Hirshini Patel, BS. Partners for Health Reformplus, Abt Associates, Inc., 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814, 301-913-0500, stephen_musau@abtassoc.com

National infectious disease surveillance and response systems,serve a vital role in national health care systems, and the World Health Organization, USAID, CDC, and other partners are working to strengthen these systems, through assessments, development of technical guidelines, training and other systems supports. However, few if any governments know the costs associated with their current surveillance systems, let alone the cost implications of "strengthened" IDSR systems. Such costs include both the investment costs of establishing strengthened systems and the recurrent and capital costs of operating these systems.

If IDSR systems are to be sustainable, then governments and donors must understand both the resource implications of these functioning systems and the possible sources of financing for on-going resource requirements. With decentralization, many of these resource requirements are to be included in local health budgets. PHRplus is examining, in two countries (Tanzania and Georgia), the sustainability of strengthened surveillance systems through cost analyses of the IDSR programs to provide baseline information on the cost of existing IDSR programs in the three countries and how they have been financed. This is followed by an analysis of what it costs to run the IDSR system once revised guidelines have been implemented. Such information is critical for effective resource planning and mobilization for the critical systems of infectious disease surveillance and response.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

• Define elements of a functioning infectious disease surveillance and response system.
• Identify key cost drivers of a functioning infectious disease. surveillance and response system

Keywords: Cost Issues, Infectious Diseases

Related Web page: www.phrplus.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Partners for Health Reformplus
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation