Multisectoral coordination in public health: insights from the 8th EMPHNET regional conference
The concept of multisectoral coordination has been comprehensively described in multiple internationally recognized frameworks. However, the institutionalization of the concept is highly complex and requires further exploration. During the 8th Biennial Regional Conference of the Eastern Mediterranea...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1652755/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849253960006762496 |
|---|---|
| author | Rana AlHamawi Suhaib Yehya Faris Lami Mahmudur Rahman Muhammad Sartaj Jonathan E. Suk Scott F. Dowell Mohammed Youbi Heba Mahrous Vimala Edwin Abdul Rehman Mohannad Al Nsour Magid Al-Gunaid Yousef Khader Haitham Bashier |
| author_facet | Rana AlHamawi Suhaib Yehya Faris Lami Mahmudur Rahman Muhammad Sartaj Jonathan E. Suk Scott F. Dowell Mohammed Youbi Heba Mahrous Vimala Edwin Abdul Rehman Mohannad Al Nsour Magid Al-Gunaid Yousef Khader Haitham Bashier |
| author_sort | Rana AlHamawi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The concept of multisectoral coordination has been comprehensively described in multiple internationally recognized frameworks. However, the institutionalization of the concept is highly complex and requires further exploration. During the 8th Biennial Regional Conference of the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), a roundtable session brought together a panel of global and regional experts in multisectoral coordination to share knowledge and expertise, regarding the concept of multisectoral coordination, and the implementation and formalization of coordination mechanisms within national structures, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Discussions also addressed the challenges associated with effective multisectoral coordination, along with proposed solutions and lessons learned from past public health events. The findings of the roundtable emphasized the importance of multisectoral coordination in addressing multifaceted public health events. Multisectoral coordination was described as the “master key” for tackling complex issues at the human-animal-environmental interface. The functionality of coordination within national structures during peacetime was deemed essential for its operationality during emergencies. Therefore, panelists recommended adopting a systematic approach to emergency coordination which includes identifying sector leaders, identifying the main coordination activities, exercising plans and continuous quality improvement. Additionally, the purpose of coordination should be clearly identified and articulated alongside the shared benefits for improved engagement of relevant sectors. Several challenges to effective coordination were identified, along with corresponding solutions. These included limited operational effectiveness of coordination mechanisms during peacetime, lack of awareness regarding the importance of coordination, limited trust and co-ownership within and between organizations, and competing priorities and conflicts of interest. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ea9f4732f8fe4ca181f5b465c0e1679f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-ea9f4732f8fe4ca181f5b465c0e1679f2025-08-20T03:56:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-07-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.16527551652755Multisectoral coordination in public health: insights from the 8th EMPHNET regional conferenceRana AlHamawi0Suhaib Yehya1Faris Lami2Mahmudur Rahman3Muhammad Sartaj4Jonathan E. Suk5Scott F. Dowell6Mohammed Youbi7Heba Mahrous8Vimala Edwin9Abdul Rehman10Mohannad Al Nsour11Magid Al-Gunaid12Yousef Khader13Haitham Bashier14Global Health Development, Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network, Amman, JordanTexas A and M University, School of Public Health, College Station, TX, United StatesAl Subtain University, and College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, IraqGlobal Health Development, Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network, Bangladesh Country Office, Amman, JordanUK Health Security Agency, Belfast, United KingdomEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Solna, SwedenWorld Health Organization, Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Geneva, SwitzerlandMinistry of Health, Rabat, MoroccoWorld Health Organization, Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt0RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates0RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al-Khaimah, United Arab EmiratesGlobal Health Development, Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network, Amman, JordanGlobal Health Development, Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network, Amman, Jordan1Department of Public Health, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, JordanGlobal Health Development, Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network, Amman, JordanThe concept of multisectoral coordination has been comprehensively described in multiple internationally recognized frameworks. However, the institutionalization of the concept is highly complex and requires further exploration. During the 8th Biennial Regional Conference of the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), a roundtable session brought together a panel of global and regional experts in multisectoral coordination to share knowledge and expertise, regarding the concept of multisectoral coordination, and the implementation and formalization of coordination mechanisms within national structures, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Discussions also addressed the challenges associated with effective multisectoral coordination, along with proposed solutions and lessons learned from past public health events. The findings of the roundtable emphasized the importance of multisectoral coordination in addressing multifaceted public health events. Multisectoral coordination was described as the “master key” for tackling complex issues at the human-animal-environmental interface. The functionality of coordination within national structures during peacetime was deemed essential for its operationality during emergencies. Therefore, panelists recommended adopting a systematic approach to emergency coordination which includes identifying sector leaders, identifying the main coordination activities, exercising plans and continuous quality improvement. Additionally, the purpose of coordination should be clearly identified and articulated alongside the shared benefits for improved engagement of relevant sectors. Several challenges to effective coordination were identified, along with corresponding solutions. These included limited operational effectiveness of coordination mechanisms during peacetime, lack of awareness regarding the importance of coordination, limited trust and co-ownership within and between organizations, and competing priorities and conflicts of interest.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1652755/fullpublic healthmultisectoral coordinationcoordinationEastern Mediterranean Regioncollaborationconference |
| spellingShingle | Rana AlHamawi Suhaib Yehya Faris Lami Mahmudur Rahman Muhammad Sartaj Jonathan E. Suk Scott F. Dowell Mohammed Youbi Heba Mahrous Vimala Edwin Abdul Rehman Mohannad Al Nsour Magid Al-Gunaid Yousef Khader Haitham Bashier Multisectoral coordination in public health: insights from the 8th EMPHNET regional conference Frontiers in Public Health public health multisectoral coordination coordination Eastern Mediterranean Region collaboration conference |
| title | Multisectoral coordination in public health: insights from the 8th EMPHNET regional conference |
| title_full | Multisectoral coordination in public health: insights from the 8th EMPHNET regional conference |
| title_fullStr | Multisectoral coordination in public health: insights from the 8th EMPHNET regional conference |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multisectoral coordination in public health: insights from the 8th EMPHNET regional conference |
| title_short | Multisectoral coordination in public health: insights from the 8th EMPHNET regional conference |
| title_sort | multisectoral coordination in public health insights from the 8th emphnet regional conference |
| topic | public health multisectoral coordination coordination Eastern Mediterranean Region collaboration conference |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1652755/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ranaalhamawi multisectoralcoordinationinpublichealthinsightsfromthe8themphnetregionalconference AT suhaibyehya multisectoralcoordinationinpublichealthinsightsfromthe8themphnetregionalconference AT farislami multisectoralcoordinationinpublichealthinsightsfromthe8themphnetregionalconference AT mahmudurrahman multisectoralcoordinationinpublichealthinsightsfromthe8themphnetregionalconference AT muhammadsartaj multisectoralcoordinationinpublichealthinsightsfromthe8themphnetregionalconference AT jonathanesuk multisectoralcoordinationinpublichealthinsightsfromthe8themphnetregionalconference AT scottfdowell multisectoralcoordinationinpublichealthinsightsfromthe8themphnetregionalconference AT mohammedyoubi multisectoralcoordinationinpublichealthinsightsfromthe8themphnetregionalconference AT hebamahrous multisectoralcoordinationinpublichealthinsightsfromthe8themphnetregionalconference AT vimalaedwin multisectoralcoordinationinpublichealthinsightsfromthe8themphnetregionalconference AT abdulrehman multisectoralcoordinationinpublichealthinsightsfromthe8themphnetregionalconference AT mohannadalnsour multisectoralcoordinationinpublichealthinsightsfromthe8themphnetregionalconference AT magidalgunaid multisectoralcoordinationinpublichealthinsightsfromthe8themphnetregionalconference AT yousefkhader multisectoralcoordinationinpublichealthinsightsfromthe8themphnetregionalconference AT haithambashier multisectoralcoordinationinpublichealthinsightsfromthe8themphnetregionalconference |