Working groups
GIPCN Education and Training Working Group
The aim of the GIPCN education and training working group is to: support WHO’s and Member States’ efforts to build capacity in education and training on IPC, including in the context of the WHO global strategy on IPC; enhance international, national (Member States), subnational, and local collaboration in the education and training of health workers in the field of IPC; and enhance and build capacity of IPC focal points in support of achieving the Minimum Requirements and Core Components of IPC programs.
Among its core objectives, since its existence, the Global IPC Network (GIPCN) has assisted WHO by “supporting development of resources and training materials and tools (including related to outbreaks)”. The GIPCN education and training working group was established within the GIPCN in 2017 and actively functioned until 2019 and was coordinated by the WHO IPC hub and task force. Between 2020 and June 2022 the group did not meet and will now be re-established as primarily a virtual group, coordinated by the WHO IPC Hub. The education and training working group may be comprised of interested members of GIPCN with demonstrated knowledge, influence and experience in development and delivery of IPC training, particularly in low resource settings or in settings where IPC capacity is minimal. The working group may be comprised of interested members of GIPCN with demonstrated knowledge, influence and experience in development and delivery of IPC training, particularly in low resource settings or in settings where IPC capacity is minimal. At times, other parties/experts may be invited to contribute to a particular project, based on subject matter expertise or experience and knowledge with designing adult education.
GIPCN Infection Prevention and Control in Public Health Emergencies Working Group (IPC PHE WG)
The IPC in Public Health Emergencies (PHE) is one of the WGs within GIPCN that discusses technical, and management topics related to IPC preparedness, readiness, and response on a regular basis and that can be called upon for immediate deliberation at the outset of the readiness and response phases of a public health event, contributing to surge capacity, response efforts, product development and dissemination.
The WHE IPC Public Emergencies WG will include GIPCN members who express interest in being a part of the WG. An additional core group of professionals, with expertise and field experience, particularly in resource limited settings which will include (but not limited to) Infectious Diseases (ID), Microbiology / Virology, Epidemiology, Laboratory Medicine, Occupational Health and Safety, Public health emergency management, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). Ad Hoc members with subject matter expertise tailored to a particular event/ threat at hand (e.g., Monkeypox); for a coordinated and agile response, determination of membership composition and type of subject matter expertise may be tailored to a particular event to enhance operational readiness and effective response.