By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Health, in partnership with the United States Government, has launched the Advanced Level of the Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP), marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen health security and improve preparedness for disease outbreaks.
The programme, developed with technical support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is designed to equip health professionals with advanced knowledge and practical skills to detect, investigate, and respond effectively to disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
The two-year, in-country training programme combines intensive classroom instruction with field-based practical experience and leads to the award of a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Epidemiology and Disease Control. Participants will be trained as frontline epidemiologists, often referred to as “disease detectives,” who will play a critical role in identifying health threats, conducting outbreak investigations, and supporting evidence-based public health interventions across the country.
Health officials described the launch of the Advanced FETP as a major investment in Sierra Leone’s public health workforce and a key step towards strengthening the country’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
The initiative builds on lessons learned from previous public health emergencies, including the Ebola epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the importance of having a highly skilled epidemiology workforce capable of responding rapidly to health threats.
Speaking at the launch, officials emphasised that strengthening human resource capacity remains central to achieving resilient health systems and protecting communities from future outbreaks. They noted that the programme aligns with Sierra Leone’s broader commitment to improving disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and national health security.
The inaugural cohort of advanced trainees represents the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s public health journey. Upon completion of the programme, the graduates are expected to serve as national leaders in epidemiology, supporting disease surveillance, outbreak response, research, and public health decision-making.
The launch of the Advanced Field Epidemiology Training Programme further demonstrates the strong and enduring partnership between the Governments of Sierra Leone and the United States in advancing public health and strengthening the country’s ability to respond to future health emergencies.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 3rd August 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
