Diploma in Public Health Management in Crisis Settings
Equips students with the knowledge and practical skills to lead and manage public health responses in times of conflict and crisis, particularly within the Myanmar context. Developed in response to the collapse of Myanmar's public health and education systems after the 2021 coup and the COVID-19 pandemic, the programme focuses on crisis preparedness, emergency response, health system resilience and leadership in fragile settings, adapting global strategies to local realities.
About this diploma
Equips students with the knowledge and practical skills to lead and manage public health responses in times of conflict and crisis, particularly within the Myanmar context. Developed in response to the collapse of Myanmar's public health and education systems after the 2021 coup and the COVID-19 pandemic, the programme focuses on crisis preparedness, emergency response, health system resilience and leadership in fragile settings, adapting global strategies to local realities.
- School
- School of Health
- Duration
- 9 months
- Structure
- Two semesters of coursework, 8 courses, plus a three-month capstone project, 30 credits
2 semesters, course by course.
Semesters 1 and 28 courses · 24 credits
- PHMCS1001Introduction to Principles of Public Health Leadership and Management in Crisis Settings3 credits
The core competencies needed for effective leadership and management in public health: theories of health policy making, systems thinking and organisational design, the trade-offs leaders make in setting priorities, and the role of mediation and negotiation in organisational change.
- PHMCS1002Basic Epidemiology and Biostatistics3 credits
Epidemiology as the cornerstone of public health and the statistical methods used to identify the distribution and determinants of health: the basic epidemiological and statistical concepts essential to understanding public health.
- PHMCS1003Humanitarian Health Strategies in Crisis Settings: A Nexus Approach3 credits
The interplay of humanitarian, development and peace efforts in addressing health challenges in crisis settings: decision-making frameworks, emergency response planning, community engagement, and gender and conflict sensitivity as cross-cutting themes.
- PHMCS1004Health Communication and Community Engagement in Crisis Settings3 credits
Communicating effectively with the public and stakeholders during public health emergencies and disasters, and engaging communities by building trust, fostering collaboration and empowering them to take an active role in crisis management.
- PHMCS2001Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergency Nutrition Sensitive Activities in the Current Myanmar Setting3 credits
Actions essential to addressing nutrition and food security problems in different emergency contexts, with emphasis on food security, emergency food basket preparation and nutrition-sensitive programming in crisis settings.
- PHMCS2002Monitoring and Evaluation of Public Health Programs in Crisis Countries3 credits
Principles and frameworks of monitoring and evaluation in crisis contexts: designing M&E frameworks for public health programmes, collecting, interpreting and using data, and the ethical considerations relevant to Myanmar.
- PHMCS2003Infectious Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Response in Crisis Settings3 credits
Principles of disease surveillance in crisis settings, rapid assessment and response to outbreaks, and effective outbreak control measures, taught through case studies relevant to Myanmar.
- PHMCS2004Addressing Mental Health Issues and Introduction to Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in Crisis Settings3 credits
Symptoms, causes and treatment of depression, anxiety, psychosis and substance use disorders, the crises that can arise from them, and the five first-aid actions and skills, taught through lectures, group discussion and role play.
Semester 31 course · 6 credits
- PHMCS3001Capstone Project6 credits
A mini-research capstone relating to the modules studied: literature review, systematic review and data analysis using epidemiological methods and R, under the mentorship of an assigned adviser, with publication encouraged where feasible.
What graduates can do.
- Assess health risks during emergencies, develop crisis response strategies and manage public health operations under pressure.
- Gain practical expertise in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and health communication through real-world case studies.
- Apply ethical practice, human rights frameworks and community engagement to public health response.
- Adapt international health guidelines to local contexts to strengthen health systems in crisis.