EMPHNET is now accepting submissions of abstracts for its COVID-19 Operational Research Symposium which will be held virtually via Zoom, on Wednesday, April 7 and Thursday, April 8, 2021. This symposium recognizes the research conducted by Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) as well as other public health professionals who contribute to their countries’ pandemic response efforts. It also creates an opportunity for dialogue that could enhance the COVID-19 operational research in the region.

 
The theme of the symposium is “COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Epidemiology, Impact, and Lessons Learned.” Within this theme, the symposium offers an ideal space for Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) affiliates as well as public health professionals from the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) to interchange knowledge acquired by research and experience.

The Symposium will be a valuable opportunity for knowledge exchange regarding COVID-19 response and actions. It also offers a platform for speakers from different FETPs and public health experts to share their achievements, research findings, methodology and any setbacks they encountered along the way.  

Sessions will, therefore, focus on the work of the FETPs and other public health professionals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the lessons learned. Its sessions shed lights on the latest scientific findings from the region in regards to COVID-19. Moreover, discussing such work is filled with great and important lessons. It comprises many examples and experiences that make it worth sharing and learning from. The lessons learned from such work can be used in the future to defeat any outbreak before it becomes a pandemic and/or end a pandemic in its early stages. Lessons learned during COVID-19 are hard-earned, invaluable, and worth sharing. They define experience that ought to guide public health community towards success in similar future outbreaks.

Abstracts should be submitted for projects that address a topic within the Symposium theme of “COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Epidemiology, Impact, and Lessons Learned.” Suggested topics include: 

• Epidemiology of COVID-19
• COVID-19 surveillance and case tracing
• Interventions at national and subnational levels
• Work of Rapid Response Team
• Case studies on COVID-19
• Success stories and lessons learned
• Impact of COVID-19 on Non-communicable diseases
• Impact of COVID-19 on other Communicable diseases including VPDs
• Health promotion during COVID-19 pandemic
• Impact of COVID-19 on Primary Health care Services
• Impact of COVID-19 on health workforce
• Other relevant areas related to COVID-19

For those interested in participating in the conference, abstracts submission is between January 24, 2021 and March 10, 2021. Abstracts should be submitted online through EMPHNET’s Symposium Website http://symposium.emphnet.net/ where you will find more information about abstract submission guidelines and other related details.

We look forward to receiving your abstracts and we invite you to share this call within your respective networks.