Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program Expands in Zambia
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AFENET
25 New Graduates in Central Province
The Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the World Bank, celebrated the graduation of 25 frontline health professionals from the Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) in Central Province. This milestone represents a major step forward in strengthening Zambia’s capacity to detect public health threats early and respond swiftly.
The ceremony brought together senior public health stakeholders, including Dr. Nyambe Sinyange, Director of the Workforce Development Cluster at ZNPHI (representing the Director-General); Dr. Elijah Mutoloki, Provincial Health Director; and Dr. Victor Kusweje, Clinical Care Specialist from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) for Central Province. Additional support came from Mr. Ernest Kateule, Program Coordinator (ZNPHI); Ms. Lwito Mutale, Provincial Epidemiologist (PHO); Dr. Agnes Haambote, Mentor (ZNPHI); and Mr. Shadreck Mufwaya, Provincial Surveillance Officer (PHO).
Commitment to Workforce Development
In his remarks, Dr. Sinyange commended the resilience and dedication of the trainees and reaffirmed ZNPHI’s national commitment to building a skilled health workforce. He emphasized that the value of the FETP lies in equipping fellows with competencies that save lives, prevent outbreaks, and reinforce disease surveillance systems.
“The participants in this FETP Frontline cohort produced practical outputs that demonstrate their ability to apply newly acquired skills. These products reflect enhanced competence in managing surveillance data, generating meaningful health information, and contributing to a stronger public health system in Zambia,” he explained.
Dr. Sinyange encouraged graduates to document and publish their field experiences in local, regional, and international scientific platforms such as ZNPHI’s Health Press, AFENET, and TEPHINET, underscoring the importance of knowledge sharing for advancing epidemiology. He also reaffirmed ZNPHI’s commitment to supporting provinces in achieving the target of training five FETP Frontline graduates per district.
Importantly, he announced the upcoming rollout of the One Health Frontline curriculum in October 2025, which will foster cross-sectoral collaboration in surveillance and response, integrating human, animal, and environmental health systems.
Provincial Reflections
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mutoloki described the graduation as a landmark achievement for the province. He highlighted the diversity of the 33rd FETP Frontline Cohort, which included professionals from public health surveillance, biomedical sciences, and medicine. Applauding their 100% progression rate, he emphasized the critical role of their skills in detecting, controlling, and preventing public health threats.
“These frontline officers are now better equipped to safeguard our communities from emerging threats. We need to continue strengthening this capacity across all districts,” he stated.
Dr. Mutoloki further encouraged graduates to take up leadership roles in their districts, apply their skills in practice, and pursue further training in applied epidemiology. He urged the fellows to share their findings in a structured provincial forum, which would help identify priority public health issues and guide evidence-based planning.
Resident and Graduate Perspectives
During the event, Dr. Leticia Mwiinga, a Cohort 32 resident, presented findings on data quality challenges in the display of disease-trend graphs at a Central Province facility, demonstrating how the program translates training into actionable improvements in health information systems.
Representing his peers, Mr. Godfrey Chama reflected on the journey as both intellectually demanding and personally transformative. He praised the mentors for their dedication, which inspired residents not only to analyze epidemiological data but also to recognize the human stories behind the numbers. Mr. Chama assured provincial leadership that the graduates would improve data collection, reporting, and analysis across districts and institutions in Central Province. He also encouraged his colleagues to pursue professional advancement through the Intermediate and Advanced tiers of the FETP.
Looking Ahead
The graduation of 25 new frontline epidemiologists marks a significant step in Zambia’s efforts to strengthen its health security. By equipping health workers with practical field investigation, outbreak detection, and disease surveillance skills, the program is laying a solid foundation for protecting communities and advancing public health resilience in line with national and global priorities.
