07 Dec 2023

 Following the successful launch and subsequent graduation of several cohorts of the Frontline Field Epidemiology programme in the past months, 

Ministry of Health has launched Intermediate level of the Field Epidemiology Programme (FETP).

Speaking during the launch in Gaborone on Wednesday, Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe said the Intermediate level of FETP was a first for the country and a huge milestone in the training of healthcare workers in the field of epidemiology.

The programme, comes slightly over a year, after the launch of the revamped FETP frontline programme on July 6, 2022.

“Our intention as the health ministry and our partners is to embark on a robust training programme geared towards building capacity for a resilient healthcare system that cannot only withstand emergency public health events, but also enhance its capability to prevent, detect, and respond to any public health threats,” he said.

He said just a year into execution, the frontline programme, had yielded three cohorts of 58 residents in total. He said seven residents from the three cohorts, participated at the 8^th AFENET Scientific Conference in Mombasa Kenya, in November.

“The team, in no doubt, set a research footprint, on the epidemiological landscape in Africa with their quality presentations,” Mr Lelatisitswe said. 

He further congratulated Ms Utlwanang Modise, a family nurse practitioner and Malaria focal person based at Greater Francistown DHMT, who scooped first position in the oral presentation for FETP-Frontline category. 

He said it was heart-warming that ministry’s efforts to build capacity at district level, were now a step away from realisation.

“The built capacity will translate in the districts being able to increase their surveillance, thus catching any public health threat early on, such as the early detection of Mumps that happened in the Greater Lobatse DHMT area, earlier this year,” he stated.

Mr Lelatisitswe said the capacity building would increase the level of competence in disease prevention, detection and response to public health threats across all districts. “I wish to now advise that we also raise the bar and explore possibilities of collaborative partnerships with more stakeholders and academic institutions, on the pursuit of the advanced Masters level,” he said.

US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention representative, Dr Phenyo Lekone said the challenges posed by global health crises underscored the need for a well-trained workforce equipped to respond to emerging threats.

“I am reliably informed that we are beginning to reap the benefits of our investments as demonstrated by more active district rapid teams and timely dissemination of operational research,” he said.

Dr Lekone said the establishment of Intermediate-FETP programme in the country was a testament to the commitment of all stakeholders involved in enhancing the nation’s public health response capacities.

He further said the US government was proud to continue its support to the FETP programme and broader public health efforts in the country in alignment with the new PEPFAR strategy that highlights global health security as one of the focus areas.

“Our commitment to this partnership reflects our shared values and we believe that collaboration is key to achieving sustainable health outcomes.” he said. Ends