In Syria, public health is a central pillar of national development, guided by its new strategic planning and a clear commitment to strengthening the health system after years of disruption. The launch of Syria’s National Health Strategic Plan for 2026–2028 marks a coordinated effort led by the Ministry of Health to guide early recovery, strengthen health security, and restore essential health services.

Against this backdrop, EMPHNET, in collaboration with the Syrian Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO EMRO), and the WHO Syria Country Office, launched a five-day curriculum validation workshop in Damascus to support the start of the Syria Field Epidemiology Training Program (Syria FETP) – Basic level. Held from 11 to 15 January 2026, the workshop focused on reviewing and contextualizing the FETP curriculum in preparation for program implementation later in February. 

Training Needs Assessment as the Foundation for Program Design

The workshop builds directly on a joint training needs assessment mission conducted from 12 to 16 October 2025. The mission assessed national training needs, analyzed the current surveillance system, and identified proposed priorities and structures for a future FETP aligned with Syria’s national health strategies. As part of this process, the program’s governance structure was established, including technical and steering committees, a program director, and an advisor.

The assessment confirmed strong national commitment to establishing the FETP and high interest among health professionals in strengthening their epidemiological skills. It also identified key gaps, including limited mentoring capacity, shortages of trained human resources, and the need to strengthen skills in surveillance, outbreak investigation, data management, and coordination between the Ministry of Health, the Central Public Health Laboratory, and all involved stakeholders. These findings directly informed the design and focus of the curriculum validation workshop.

Validating the Curriculum for National Implementation

The opening session was attended by H.E. the Minister of Health, Dr. Musab Al-Ali, alongside representatives from the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Agriculture, academic institutions, members of the technical and steering committees, and selected mentors, reflecting strong national ownership and cross-sectoral engagement.

The first day focused on the overall program framework, structure, and governance. Participants reviewed program objectives, target audience, admission criteria, duration, and the balance between theoretical and field-based training, while discussing regional experiences in sustaining and institutionalizing FETPs.

From the second to the fourth day, the workshop focused on the technical content of the curriculum, including training modules, core competencies, and learning outcomes. Discussions covered introductory epidemiology, public health principles, surveillance, outbreak investigation, problem analysis, and leadership and management skills. Through technical reviews, group work, and applied case studies, participants examined theoretical content, field assignments, reporting requirements, and methodologies, with emphasis on integrating practical examples drawn from the Syrian public health context and operational realities.

The final day centered on the role of supervisors and mentors in supporting field training, including supervision methodologies, performance evaluation, feedback mechanisms, and fieldwork guidance. The workshop concluded with a review of consolidated discussions and agreement on key recommendations to guide program launch and implementation.

Moving Toward Implementation

The curriculum validation workshop marks a critical milestone in operationalizing the Syria FETP – Basic level. By translating the findings of the training needs assessment into a contextualized and practical curriculum, the initiative aims to strengthen surveillance functions, improve outbreak detection and response, and support the development of a sustainable epidemiology workforce.

The program is scheduled to officially launch in February 2026, beginning with a structured mentorship component and the first training workshop. Participants are drawn from central and governorate levels across Syria, reflecting national-level representation.

Through this collaborative process, EMPHNET and its partners reaffirm their commitment to supporting Syria in rebuilding core public health capacities, drawing on EMPHNET’s experience in supporting Field Epidemiology Training Programs across more than 17 countries in the region and beyond.