Amman: 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.
According to Jordan News Agency, 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. The WHO supports nations in scaling up FETP initiatives through national mentoring, regional knowledge sharing, and basic and advanced training modules, including applications of artificial intelligence and innovative methodologies. This effort is part of the WHO Regional Director's flagship initiative focused on creating a resilient and sustainable health workforce.
The report emphasized recent milestones in Syria and Egypt as evidence of progress in field epidemiology capabilities. In Syria, the establishment of a national FETP was supported by WHO to enhance surveillance, applied epidemiology, and outbreak response capacities, while also training local mentors to ensure long-term sustainability. In Egypt, the national FETP's designation as a WHO Collaborating Center marked a significant achievement, providing a platform to share technical expertise, expand field epidemiology capacity, and boost inter-regional cooperation.
The WHO report concluded that sustained investment in field epidemiology leads to stronger national public health systems, enhanced regional collaboration, and a resilient workforce capable of identifying and containing health threats before they escalate into wider emergencies.