From July 26 to July 27, 2017, GHD| EMPHNET participated in a stakeholders’ meeting for putting into operation the Public Health Empowerment Program in Basic Field Epidemiology (PHEP-BFE) in Egypt. The Egypt Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) organized the stakeholders meeting with the purpose of encouraging and strengthening collaboration and communication among all stakeholders to share information and contribute to decision making.

Implemented by the MoHP, with support from GHD| EMPHNET, the PHEP-BFE is a three-month, in-service training program designed to strengthen the country’s epidemiologic capacity by improving sanitarians’ knowledge and skills in the fundamentals of surveillance, outbreak investigation, and emergency response. The PHEP-BFE contributes to the country’s as well as the region’s increasing demand for strong epidemiology programs which can respond to a range of public health challenges. Through this program, the Egypt MoHP seeks to train all 11,000 sanitarians working at the ministry during the coming years.

Along with representatives of the MoHP health departments who are directly linked to implementing the PHEP-BFE, meeting participants also included members from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) country office.

Presided over by the Undersecretary of the MoHP Dr. Amr Kandeel, the meeting provided a suitable platform to obtain collective commitment and input from participants. Discussions promoted the exchange of ideas and the stakeholders’ increased involvement in the implementation of the PHEP-BFE. While encouraging feedback from the MoHP officials and relevant stakeholders, the meeting also increased national familiarity with the program’s components and approach.

The meeting’s agenda also included the graduation ceremony of the Egypt Field Epidemiology Training Program (E-FETP) 18th cohort. Thirteen epidemiologists graduated from the program after successful completion of two-year comprehensive training in applied epidemiology.

During the ceremony, remarks were given by Dr. Kandeel, who recognized the achievements of the graduates, commemorating their successful completion of the program. Speaking to the graduates, Dr. Kandeel emphasized the importance of not only gaining knowledge but also sharing it by serving as mentors for future cohorts.

GHD/EMPHNET’s Executive Director Dr. Mohannad Al-Nsour stated how proud he was to be a part of the graduation ceremony and the stakeholders’ meeting for the upcoming PHEP-BFE. He also expressed his support for other activities within the ministry. During the graduation ceremony, GHD| EMPHNET was also presented with an award in recognition of support to the ministry’s various activities.

Graduates presented a video highlighting their journey throughout the two-year program during which they thanked the FETP director and supporting staff. These graduates will now move on to join previous cohorts in their efforts to strengthen public health capacity at central and governorate levels throughout the country.

Established in 1993, the E-FETP is a key to strengthening capacities within the national public health system.