Ethiopia Strengthens Emergency Preparedness with Expanded Field Epidemiology Training Program
Ethiopia’s Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program Highlights Efforts to Build Skilled Health Professionals for Emergency Response.
The Ethiopian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) recently held a consultative meeting at Haramaya University to discuss strategies for strengthening the training of health professionals in emergency response.
The meeting was organized to provide additional input for the ongoing FELTP program, which is designed to equip health professionals with the expertise needed to respond effectively to disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
According to Mr. Mohammed Teni, Head of Health Human Resource Development and Skills Training Improvement Desk at the Ministry of Health, the program collaborates with higher education institutions to develop a skilled workforce capable of preventing and controlling outbreaks.
Currently, the Ethiopian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) is being implemented across eight universities in Ethiopia, producing highly trained field epidemiologists who are actively engaged in outbreak response both domestically and internationally.
Mr. Addisu Alemu, Academic and Research Director at Haramaya University’s College of Health and Medical Sciences, emphasized the university’s partnership with other institutions to improve the quality of health workforce training and foster collaboration in the field.
The program continues to serve as a platform for knowledge exchange and consultation among partners, ensuring that training meets the evolving needs of public health emergency response. Mr. Tesfaye Degafe, Special Advisor to the Ministry of Health and Program Coordinator, noted that since its inception in 2009, Ethiopia has trained over 850 field epidemiologists at the Master’s level. These professionals have played a critical role not only within Ethiopia but also in regional and global health emergencies, including the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, where Ethiopian experts contributed significantly to outbreak control efforts.
To expand this success, the Ministry of Health, with support from the Pandemic Fund, is investing in smart classrooms and advanced teaching technologies at participating universities. This will further enhance training capacity and prepare a new generation of skilled health professionals to respond to future health threats both within Ethiopia and across neighboring countries.
Reporter: Yibeltal Gizaw
Photographer: Behailu Girma
Tags: disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, epidemiology program, Ethiopia, field epidemiology, health security, health workforce development, outbreak response, public health training