Frontline FETP Cohort 31 – Strengthening Zambia’s public health workforce for timely emergency response
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AFENET
The graduation of the 31st Cohort of the Zambia Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP-Frontline) marked yet another milestone in strengthening Zambia’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies at the local level. Twenty-four Frontline graduates proudly walked away with enhanced epidemiological skills, eager to translate their newly acquired knowledge into tangible impact for the communities they serve.
FETP-Frontline is a cornerstone initiative of the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), equipping district and provincial health officers with the skills needed to strengthen disease surveillance, analyze data, and rapidly mount effective outbreak responses. The 31st Cohort graduation, held in Livingstone, brought together partners, mentors, graduates, and senior leaders in public health – a testament to the collaborative spirit that underpins Zambia’s public health resilience.
Delivering the keynote speech, Prof. Roma Chilengi, Director General of ZNPHI, emphasized the central role of FETP in shaping Zambia’s public health security. He reminded participants that outbreaks are not abstract threats but lived realities that demand preparedness at the most decentralized levels of the health system.
“Every district must be equipped to detect and respond. With every cohort that graduates, we are creating a more vigilant, skilled, and responsive workforce – one that stands guard against epidemics before they spiral out of control,” Prof. Chilengi highlighted.
He urged the graduates to view their training not as an ending, but as the beginning of a lifelong commitment to safeguarding communities. He reassured them of ZNPHI’s continued support and of Zambia’s determination to strengthen its health security architecture through a strong, layered workforce of frontline, intermediate, and advanced epidemiology practitioners.
Representing the Provincial Health Director, Mr. Mushabati L. Mulengula lauded the resilience and determination of the 24 graduates. Speaking on behalf of Southern Province, he reaffirmed the provincial leadership’s commitment to both mentoring and supporting their application of newfound skills in daily practice.
Drawing attention to how the FETP has already strengthened surveillance systems, he underlined the importance of using data to inform decisions in outbreak control and routine health services.
“Your story does not end here. A new chapter begins as you implement and practice the very skills you have gained. Know that the province stands behind you as you deliver essential public health security for our people,” Mr. Mushabati encouraged.
The provincial message was clear: graduates are not alone. Their success is interwoven with a supportive health system, mentors, and public health leadership committed to ensuring their impact is felt in every community.
Representing his colleagues, Dr. Joseph Tembo captured the graduate experience with humility and gratitude. He described their journey as both intellectually demanding and personally transformative.
He spoke of the facilitators’ tireless mentoring, which pushed residents to not only analyze epidemiological data but also to see the stories of real people reflected in the numbers. To his peers, Dr. Tembo emphasized that the true measure of their training lies not in certificates earned but in service delivered.
“The value of this program will be judged not only in what we learned, but in what we will do with that knowledge. Let us commit ourselves to act with urgency, integrity, and compassion, serving our communities where the need is greatest,” said Dr. Tembo.
The success of Cohort 31 is a story of partnership, resilience, and foresight. It exemplifies the synergy between national leadership, provincial support, and the graduates’ own resolve, all working toward one goal: protecting Zambian communities from the dangers of epidemics and other health emergencies. As Prof. Roma Chilengi said, every Frontline graduate is a guardian of health security – and with Cohort 31 now added to the field, Zambia is stronger, safer, and more prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead.
