Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries around the world have been implementing various prevention and control measures. Within this context, Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) have played a key role in their countries’ response efforts to the pandemic. A need arose to evolve existing training modalities to respond to changing public health context and demand. Some developments included the establishment of online training modules, the establishment of more intermediate and PHEP (Basic) programs in the region, the introduction of courses specific to COVID-19, and the development of case studies and more research work that highlights the role of FETPs, their expertise and lessons learned. The transition did come with some challenges, but as all changes are, it also offered great opportunities for improving the FETPs, and many more lessons learned that could lead to further advancement in the future.

In order to shed light on these issues, EMPHNET conducted a webinar titled “Field Epidemiology Training Programs and the COVID-19 Pandemic” on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. The webinar highlighted the role of FETPs in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges they have faced.

The session was led by three health experts, namely: MD, MPH, Principal Technical Deputy for the Workforce and Institute Development Branch within the Division of Global Health Protection of the Center for Global Health at US CDC, Dr. Seymour Williams; Senior Advisor to the Executive Directors’ Office at GHD|EMPHNET, Ms. Samar Abdelnour; and Epidemiologist and Expert in Bioethics and Health Sciences Education, and Technical Advisor for Sudan FETP, Dr. Shahd Osman. The webinar was facilitated by Public Health Expert and Associate Professor at Baghdad University, Dr. Faris Lami, and MD, MPH, Ph.D., Executive Director at GHD|EMPHNET, Dr. Mohannad Al Nsour.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Mohannad Al Nsour welcomed the participants and introduced the webinar’s focus. More specifically, he spoke of the need to evolve existing training modalities to respond to changing public health contexts and demands.

Dr. Al Nsour then presented the second facilitator, Dr. Faris Lami, who presented the participants and handed the floor to Dr. Seymour Williams, who shared the results of a global survey conducted by CDC. He explained that the survey was designed to document the contributions of FETPs to the COVID-19 response in their countries using the WHO Pillars of Public Health Preparedness and Response Planning Guidelines.

Dr. Williams then revealed that the survey findings show the value of FETPs in responding to public health threats such as COVID-19. He also shared that they plan to go forward by conducting a follow-up survey, and supporting the expansion of FETPs, particularly basic and intermediate tiers.

The second speaker, Ms. Samar Abdelnour, spoke on behalf of GHD|EMPHNET, about FETPs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. She shed light on GHD|EMPHNET’s Center of Excellence for Applied Epidemiology (CEAE), stating that it creates opportunities to strengthen and support applied epidemiology regionally through its multiple units and initiatives. She shared FETP growth over the years, adding that more than 100 FETP cohorts have graduated from the EMR.

Furthermore, Ms. Abdelnour provided insight on GHD|EMPHNET’s online training platform. The platform targets FETP graduates and residents, health professionals, and other relevant personnel responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. She concluded her presentation by stressing that the FETPs has always been the flagship program of GHD|EMPHNET and that it will continue to support it.

From her end, Dr. Shahd Osman spoke about FETPs and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the case of Sudan. She started her presentation by giving a brief about Sudan as a country, then she spoke about the epidemiological situation in Sudan. She then moved on to talk about the establishment of Sudan FETP in 2017, its objectives, and the number of cohorts who graduated so far. Dr. Osman concluded her presentation by stating that the COVID -19 pandemic affected the implementation of the planned activities for 2020. However, FETP graduates participated actively in the various COVID-19 related responses.

The presentations were followed by a Q&A session facilitated by Dr. Al Nsour, where participants actively contributed to the discussion through their comments and questions.  Finally, Dr. Lami wrapped up the session with some recommendations and key messages summarizing what the speakers had said. Dr. Lami stated that the issue of maintaining essential health services and mitigating the collateral damage during the pandemic is very important. He added that other capacities and competencies needed by FETP residents during their training should be identified, considering the gaps highlighted by the pandemic.

He then moved on to talk about the importance of having a resident and graduate exchange program, in order to share experience between different countries. Following him, Dr. Al Nsour concluded the session by thanking the speakers, the facilitator, and the audience. A total of 241 people joined the webinar deeming it another success in the EMPHNET WEBi Series.