WHO programme underway in NCD

A field epidemiology programme (FETP) aimed at providing suitable candidates with advanced skills in practical disease surveillance analysis and outbreak response is underway in Port Moresby.
Eighteen participants throughout the country were attending the programme.
World Health Organisation (WHO) epidemiologist Dr Boris Pavlin told The National that the programme comprised of a combination of didactic lectures and hands on training presented by national and international experts in field epidemiology. “Also case studies and one-on-one mentorship with expert mentors to develop practical analytic projects in the fellows’ areas of work, like outbreak investigations and evaluations of surveillance systems in their provinces,” he said.
“Fellows then return to their places of work to carry out the analytic projects, with remote mentoring, over a period of three to four months.
“Fellows then reunite to present their analytic projects and develop practical interventions to improve the systems they studied.
“They then return to the field and carry out and monitor these interventions themselves, with further mentorship.”
He said the requirement to do their interventions, as well as develop and carry out detailed monitoring and evaluation plans, has been hailed as a world-first for any FETP.
“In addition to the required elements of the programme, current fellows and graduates participate in writing workshops and other training opportunities were encouraged to submit their work for presentation.”