On World Field Epidemiology Day, marked each year on 7 September, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean is highlighting the crucial role played by field epidemiologists who work on the frontlines to detect public health threats, investigate outbreaks and turn data into action to protect communities.
Through field epidemiology training programmes (FETPs), countries are building a skilled workforce equipped to detect threats early, respond rapidly and strengthen surveillance and health security.
In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, WHO is supporting countries to strengthen and expand FETPs through national mentorship, regional knowledge exchange and frontline and advanced training, including in the use of artificial intelligence and other innovative approaches.
This work recognizes that a strong public health workforce is essential to protecting populations from emerging and ongoing health threats and supports the WHO Regional Director’s flagship initiative to build a resilient, fit-for-purpose and sustainable health workforce across the Region .
Recent successes in the Syrian Arab Republic and Egypt demonstrate progress in strengthening field epidemiology capacity. In Syria, WHO supported the establishment of the country’s FETP, strengthening national capacity in surveillance, applied epidemiology, outbreak investigation and response. The programme is developing national trainers and mentors to build sustainable capacity.
In Egypt, recognition of the country’s FETP as a WHO collaborating centre marked an important regional milestone. The designation provides a platform to share expertise, strengthen field epidemiology capacity and foster collaboration among countries across the Region.
Together, these achievements demonstrate how sustained investment in field epidemiology translates into stronger national capacities, greater regional collaboration and a skilled and resilient public health workforce equipped to detect threats early and act before they become larger emergencies.
On World Field Epidemiology Day, WHO celebrates field epidemiologists – across the Region and worldwide – who turn data into action, detect threats early and protect communities when every hour counts.
