Zambia field epidemiology training program: strengthening health security through workforce development

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Workforce Development

Background:

• Established in 2014 by the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Zambia Field Epidemiology Training Program (ZFETP) aimed to build a skilled workforce for disease surveillance and outbreak response.
• ZFETP operates as a collaboration between the MoH, University of Zambia School of Public Health, and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• The program offers two tiers of training: Advanced and Frontline.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the ZFETP's approach to public health workforce development and health security.
• To outline key program milestones five years post-launch.
• To provide recommendations for ensuring ZFETP's long-term sustainability.

Main Methods:

• The program established a tripartite partnership involving key health institutions.
• ZFETP implemented Advanced and Frontline training tiers.
• Organizational restructuring placed ZFETP within the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) in 2016.

Main Results:

• ZFETP has trained 24 residents in the Advanced track and 71 trainees in the Frontline track.
• Relocation to ZNPHI increased program visibility and opportunities for leading outbreak investigations and data analysis.
• Successes attracted government and donor investment, accelerating capacity building.

Conclusions:

• The Zambia Field Epidemiology Training Program (ZFETP) has demonstrated early success in building a skilled public health workforce.
• Organizational integration within ZNPHI has been crucial for program institutionalization and sustainability.
• Future efforts will focus on expanding training to further professionalize field epidemiologists across Zambia's health system.