2.2 Partners and Funding

The engagement of a wide variety of partners is essential for the development, implementation and maintenance of a surveillance programme. Key partners, funders and stakeholders can be identified and involved during the initial planning stages of the development of a surveillance programme. This can help to ensure that a surveillance programme is implemented and sustained for the long term. Determining what roles and responsibilities are needed can also help identify what kind of partners would be invited to participate in the initiative.

Examples of possible areas for partner engagement are the development of goals and objectives for the surveillance programme, the development of policy measures and shepherding of measures through appropriate channels, and the identification of funding support for training hospital personnel.

The following are examples of potential partners for consideration when developing or implementing a surveillance programme:

• ministry of health and other government agencies
• environment ministries, toxicology departments, poison control centres and children’s environmental health units
• organizations and agencies that regulate hospitals, birthing centres and labour and delivery units
• medical and nursing professional associations
• health-care providers
• health insurance companies
• universities
• community-based organizations that have an interest in congenital anomalies
• advocacy and community groups
• parent and family support groups for those with children affected by congenital anomalies
• privacy protection and legal ethics offices
• security, data access and information management offices
• researchers
• policy professionals
•  media
• religious leaders

Appendix E can help in the development of a list of partners and determination of how partners can best participate and collaborate with the surveillance programme.