With over 200 in attendance, the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) concluded its First Regional COVID-19 Operational Research Symposium, following two days of abstract presentations and discussions. The symposium was the first of its kind to be held virtually in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Held between April 7 and 8, 2021, its sessions offered a space for Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) residents and graduates as well as other public health professionals to bring to the forefront the research they had conducted on COVID-19.

Holding the theme “COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Epidemiology, Impact, and Lessons Learned”, the symposium featured two keynote speakers, one speaker for each day. On the first day of the symposium, Associate Director for Science, Division of Global Health Protection, CGH, CDC, Dr. Ronald L. Moolenaar presented the first keynote address, during which he spoke about the Role of Implementation Science in Global Health Security. On the second day, Director of Information, Evidence and Research, World Health Organization (WHO), Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO), Dr. Arash Rashidian presented the second keynote address, during which he shed light on Research and COVID-19: Expectations, Achievements, and Lessons Learned.

Following the keynote addresses on both days, a Q&A session was facilitated by Public Health Expert, and Associate Professor at the Department of Community and Family Medicine, at the College of Medicine, Baghdad University in Iraq, Dr. Faris Lami.

The symposium also included 16 abstract presentations given by FETP residents, graduates, advisors, and other public health professionals from the EMR. The presenters came from different parts of the region including; Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen, and others. Their presentations provided a space for participants to present and discuss their work findings, and lessons learned, in order to improve public health practice in the region.

In his welcoming remarks, EMPHNET’s Executive Director, Dr. Mohannad Al Nsour expressed pride in kicking off EMPHNET’s First Regional COVID-19 Operational research symposium, under the extraordinary circumstances of COVID-19. He confirmed that EMPHNET will continue to invest in collaborations and partnerships, and that this event will be the prelude to more fruitful collaborations to come. He concluded his remarks by thanking and greeting the participants and audience.

Following Dr. Al Nsour’s speech, a short movie titled “FETPs in the EMR and Their Journey through COVID-19" produced by EMPHNET was shown. The movie highlighted the region's FETPs' hard work and dedication towards their countries.  

Throughout the two days, a total of four symposium sessions were held, with four moderators facilitating these sessions. On the first day, Senior Lecturer, Department of Epidemiology and Population Studies, American University of Beirut, Prof. Salim Adib facilitated the first session, titled “Descriptive Studies”. The second session was titled “Impact and Consequences of COVID-19” and was facilitated by Dr. Refaat Hanna.

On the second day of the symposium, Executive Director, South Asia Field Epidemiology and Technology Network (SAFETYNET), Dr. Maria Consorcia Lim-Quizon facilitated the third session “Methodology, Modelling, and the Study of Comorbidities”. The fourth and final session, titled “Within the Communities and Health Systems” was facilitated by the Director of Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (TEPHINET), Dr. Carl Reddy.

A total of 84 abstracts were submitted to be presented, with 20 of them being accepted after being reviewed by the Symposium's Scientific Committee. Out of these 20 abstract presentations, 16 were presented at the symposium.

The presented abstracts covered a wide range of interesting topics including but not limited to the epidemiology of COVID-19, interventions at national and subnational levels, the work of Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), COVID-19 Case Studies, the impact of COVID-19 on communicable and non-communicable diseases, and health promotion during the COVID-19 pandemic, among others.

In the closing ceremony, the Director of the Center of Excellence for Applied Epidemiology at EMPHNET, Dr. Yousef Khader, presented a tribute video for Prof. El-Fatih Z. El-Samani and announced El-Fatih Z. El-Samani Best Abstract Award.  This prestigious award was granted to FETP Egypt Graduate, Dr. Shereen Elghazaly for her presentation “The Impact of Comorbidities on COVID -19 Severity and Mortality in Egypt” and to a Public Health Professional from Jordan, Dr. Yousef Zawaneh for his presentation “Between Herd immunity and Suppression: A Modelling Study Assessing Alternative Policy Responses to COVID 19 in Jordan.” Following the awarding ceremony, Dr. Al Nsour thanked the participants and the audience for their contribution and their support.

The symposium is a milestone highlighting the region’s operational research, as it created an invaluable networking opportunity geared towards improving public health practice in the region.