World Field Epidemiology Day (WFED), celebrated annually on September 7, is a global observance that recognizes the vital contributions of field epidemiologists in safeguarding communities and advancing global health security. First observed in 2021, WFED has served as an annual event calling on the global health community to further support for Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) in several aspects, including capacity building, field deployments, and sustainability.

This year’s theme, “Making Our Mark: Field Epidemiology in Action,” highlighted the role and impact of field epidemiologists worldwide. In keeping with the spirit of this theme, EMPHNET marked the occasion by hosting a regional symposium titled “A Lens from the Field: FETP Stories of Impact.”

Held virtually on September 7, 2025, the event brought together FETP leaders, residents, and graduates from across the Eastern Mediterranean Region and other priority countries to share success stories, and visions from their country programs on the way forward.

Opening the Dialogue

The symposium opened with remarks from Dr. Haitham Basheir, Director of EMPHNET’s Public Health Emergency Management Center, who highlighted the importance of WFED as a celebration among global and regional FETP communities

Dr. Mohannad Al Nsour, EMPHNET’s Executive Director, reflected on his own journey as an FETP graduate, noting how the program shaped his career and commitment to supporting FETPs in their mission to safeguard health security. He stressed that FETPs are not merely training programs but that they are engines of transformation that create a workforce capable of investigating threats in the field and to recommend evidence for swift response and containment. He also placed emphasis on EMPHNET’s role in supporting these programs and amplifying their impact across the region.

EMPHNET’s Continued Support to FETPs in the Region

Prof. Yousef Khader, Director of EMPHNET’s Center of Excellence for Applied Epidemiology (CEAE), outlined the network’s long-standing support for FETPs in the EMR and beyond.

He stated that over the past 15 years, EMPHNET has been able to grow the number of FETPs within its network from 3 to 15, amd that it has been instrumental in supporting existing programs and offering assistance for the establishment of various FETP modalities. More specifically, he highlighted several areas of impact:

• Capacity Development: where training workshops have built skills in outbreak investigation, surveillance, and research.
• Research and Publications: where hundreds of residents and graduates have been mentored and supported to publish studies that inform health policy.
• Knowledge Exchange: where regional conferences and the WEBi Series have showcased success stories.
• Visibility and Advocacy: where EMPHNET amplified FETP voices globally through publications, stories, and advocacy tools.
• Quality Assurance: supporting several programs in advancing toward international accreditation.

Prof. Khader stressed that these achievements are not just milestones but building blocks of resilient health systems, reaffirming EMPHNET’s long-term commitment to empowering field epidemiologists in their mission to safeguard the health of communities.

Country Presentations: A Regional Mosaic

The symposium also featured presentations from directors and representatives of FETPs across the region and beyond, each providing an overview of their programs and sharing highlights of what has been achieved.

• Afghanistan – Dr. Tajmalook Samim, FETP Director
• Bangladesh – Prof. (Dr) Tahmina Shirin, FETP Director
• Egypt – Dr. Hala Saad BahaaEldin, FETP Director
• Iraq – Dr. Yasir Younis Majeed, FETP Director
• Jordan – Dr. Tareq Aldamen, on behalf of Dr. Majed Asad, FETP Director
• Saudi Arabia – Dr. Randa Nouh, on behalf of Dr. Abdulaziz Almutairi, FETP Director
• Sudan – Dr. Muntasir Osman, FETP Director
• Yemen – Dr. Abdullah Bin Ghoth, FETP Director

These presentations highlighted the FETP contributions that are ideally tailored for country context and national needs. They focused on surveillance system evaluations, research generation, networking and knowledge exchange, and emergency preparedness and response, among other areas.

Success Stories: Voices from the Field

Following the country presentations, Dr. Bashier opened the floor to FETP residents and graduates, who shared stories demonstrating the impact of their work. This was an opportunity for residents and graduates to share personal experiences, their field engagements, their challenges, and the impact they have made.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Basheir reaffirmed EMPHNET’s commitment to FETPs, stating: “EMPHNET will always be there for you and will continue to support you.”

The symposium was attended by more than 300 participants from across the region and beyond, offering a space to celebrate achievements and amplify the voices of residents and graduates. The event honored World Field Epidemiology Day while reaffirming EMPHNET’s commitment to supporting FETPs and strengthening public health capacity across the region and beyond.

Watch the recording here.