Zambia expands health security workforce with FETP frontline graduation

The Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Global Fund,celebrated the graduation of 21 frontline health professionals from the Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) in Lusaka Province. This milestone marks a significant step in strengthening Zambia’s capacity for early detection and rapid response to public health threats.

The ceremony was attended by both national and provincial health leaders,including Professor Roma Chilengi,Director General, ZNPHI, Mr. Ernest Kateule, FETP Frontline Coordinator,Mr.Francis Mwenya,Field Epidemiologist,Mr.Nzila Oscar,Provincial Surveillance Office,representing the Provincial Health Director.

Delivering the keynote address,Prof.Chilengi,emphasized that certificates should not be viewed as finish lines, but rather as entry passes into the most challenging arenas of public health. He urged the graduands to adopt a new perspective, stating that data should not be seen merely as numbers, but as the early signals of an outbreak. He encouraged bold action, highlighting that in emergencies, settling for”ood enough” is a dangerous illusion and professionals should always strive to exceed expectations.

Prof. Chilengi, underscored the importance of sharing knowledge, noting that the impact of one well-mentored nurse in a rural clinic could extend to safeguarding an entire district. He added that early detection, contact tracing, and control of an outbreak as the main core business of trained field epidemiologists, hence the need to share and spread the acquired knowledge. “So, Cohort: Lead with vision. Serve with integrity. Respond with courage. Let your footprints be found wherever Zambia’s health needs you most-and let them be deep enough for others to follow”. He concluded.

Mr. Oscar Nzila commended the dedication of efforts of ZNPH under the leadership of Director General in supporting public health response by training FETP residents Mr Nzila also appealed to the graduates to be ready whenever there is a need, as graduates are not only trained for personal development but also as national assets.In his brief speech,Mr. Nzila appealed to ZNPH for continued support, training,and,where possible, enrolling some of the FETP graduates for other levels of field epidemiology,such as intermediate and advanced levels

Speaking at the event, Ms. Ethel Nawa, the cohort 21 representative, acknowledged the training being completed at a right time when the country continues to face public health threats. She also highlighted that the graduates were well equipped to detect, control and stop outbreaks and to be a generation of graduates who contribute to changing the landscape of public health.“We are prepared, we are committed, we are FETP graduates” she affirmed. She congratulated the graduates and requested for continued training of many others for knowledge acquisition and practice.