Partnership: an Effective Approach to Public Health

Abstract

In contemporary public health, there is a need for people to work together. The notion of partnerships between agencies, professionals, communities and individual is fundamental to policy of multidisciplinary public health. This paper examined the ways concept and nature of partnerships was embedded within public health policy. It considered the forms they had with a continuum of degrees of collaboration from isolation to integration. Issues related to the importance of partnership working for public health to achieve its objectives were discussed. The different contributions coming together to maximize resources for health improvement and address health inequalities were also highlighted. It acknowledged potentials pitfalls and identifies opportunities for partnership working. The paper identified who are the partners in public health, based its discussions on local, national and international activities. Towards an effective partnership in public health, the stakeholders in public health should ensure that all categories of partnership are judiciously applied and uphold their joint agreement. Fund should be adequately provided and effective administration and supervision of public health programmes should be focused.

Keywords: public health, collaboration, partnership, joined-up governance, strategic, interagency.