The WHO Country Office has an annual invitation to address the Executive National Security Programme (ENSP) of the South African National Defence College.  This year the topic was on the “World Health and Demographic Trends”.  Presented by Ms Mary Anne Groepe, WHO NPO/Malaria, the presentation provided deeper insight into the security implications of world health and demographic trends with specific reference, but not limited to, Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.  The presentation covered four areas:

The economic, social and demographic impact of HIV/AIDS and other communicale diseases,
The current and future trends of medical research and technology
The opportunities and threats presented by current and future health trends
The influence and role of multinational pharmaceutical companies
The aim of ENSP is to prepare selected officers and officials, in the rank group Brigadier General/Colonel or civilian equivalent, for appointment to top level posts in the Department ofDefence (DOD) and at national level.  ENSP consists of members from the DOD, other government departments as well as International Fellows from the armed forces of Botswana, Brazil, Uganda, Nigeria and Zambia.