WHO Regional Office Highlights Frontline Role Of Field Epidemiologists In Middle East

Amman, Sept 6 (Petra) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean highlighted Sunday the vital role played by frontline field epidemiologists in detecting public health threats, investigating disease outbreaks, and translating data into protective community measures, ahead of World Field Epidemiology Day on Sept. 7.

In a report issued on Sunday, the WHO stated that countries across the region are utilizing Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) to build a skilled workforce capable of early threat detection, rapid response, enhanced surveillance, and health security reinforcement.

Across the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the WHO supports countries in scaling up FETP initiatives through national mentoring, regional knowledge sharing, and basic and advanced training modules, including applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and innovative methodologies. This effort forms part of the WHO Regional Director's flagship initiative aimed at building a resilient, fit-for-purpose, and sustainable health workforce.

The report pointed to recent milestones in Syria and Egypt as evidence of progress in field epidemiology capabilities. In Syria, the WHO supported the establishment of a national FETP to strengthen surveillance, applied epidemiology, and outbreak response capacities while training local mentors to ensure long-term sustainability.

In Egypt, the designation of the national FETP as a WHO Collaborating Center marked a regional milestone, providing a platform to share technical expertise, expand field epidemiology capacity, and enhance inter-regional cooperation.

The WHO report concluded that sustained investment in field epidemiology yields stronger national public health systems, closer regional collaboration, and a resilient workforce equipped to identify and contain health threats before they escalate into wider emergencies.

//Petra// AF

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