DR Congo frontline FETP graduation of Cohort 24, Lubumbashi

Since 2013, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been strengthening its public health workforce through the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP). The country launched its Advanced FETP in 2013, followed by the Frontline FETP in 2016, and the Intermediate FETP in 2022. To date, the DRC has successfully graduated 7 cohorts from the Advanced FETP (137 graduates), 24 cohorts from the Frontline FETP (590 graduates), and 2 cohorts from the Intermediate FETP (20 graduates).

The 24th Frontline FETP cohort, which commenced on 29 June 2024 at the Jedra and Sisters Hotel in Lubumbashi, concluded on 7 September 2024. Unlike previous cohorts, this group focused exclusively on malaria fieldwork, with funding from the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) through the CHISU project, and technical support provided by AFENET-RDC.

This cohort consisted of 20 surveillance officers from the PMI-supported Provincial Health Divisions: 10 participants from Haut Katanga and 10 from Lualaba. Among the participants were 3 chief medical officers, 4 doctors (including 2 analysts from the Bureau Information Sanitaire), 2 technical assistants, 4 data managers, 2 nurse supervisors, and 7 individuals serving in other vital roles.

The program concluded with a certificate ceremony, where the 20 residents were officially recognized for their efforts by a presidium composed of the AFENET-RDC team, the Head of the Haut Katanga Provincial Health Division, and the Head of the Epidemiological Surveillance Office.