Strengthening One Health Mentorship in Southern Africa: A New Chapter in Field Epidemiology Training

Johannesburg, South Africa – June 2, 2025
At the heart of Southern Africa, a powerful movement is underway. In the serene surroundings of the Indaba Hotel in Johannesburg, public health professionals from eight countries have gathered—not just to learn, but to lead. From June 2 to June 7, 2025, the region’s finest mentors are participating in the Regional Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) One Health Mentors Workshop, a milestone event designed to redefine how African nations prepare for the health threats of tomorrow.

The Urgency of One Health

In an interconnected world, more than 60% of emerging public health threats are zoonotic—spreading from animals or environmental sources to human populations. From COVID-19 to anthrax and avian influenza, recent epidemics have underscored a painful truth: traditional, siloed responses are no longer enough. To truly protect communities, a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach—One Health—must be the standard.

Enter the Frontline FETP. Since its inception, this in-service training program has equipped surveillance officers across Africa with the skills to detect and respond to public health threats quickly. Now, thanks to a global revision led by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Frontline FETP curriculum has been strengthened with a One Health lens. Piloted in countries like Kenya, Iraq, and South Sudan, this revised curriculum integrates real-world case studies, practical simulations, and cross-sectoral fieldwork.

And this week, Southern Africa becomes the next region to take up the torch.

A Workshop with Purpose

Organized through a collaboration between the U.S. CDC, the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), and JHPIEGO, this week-long workshop aims to do more than introduce content—it seeks to build a regional network of skilled One Health mentors who will champion the implementation of the new curriculum in their home countries.

Mentors have been selected from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, each representing one of the three critical sectors: human health, animal health, and environmental health. The participants include current FETP mentors, resident advisors, and professionals from the Intermediate and Advanced levels of training. Many of them are seasoned epidemiologists with years of experience mentoring the next generation of public health responders.

Interactive, Practical, Collaborative

True to the One Health spirit, the workshop is built around teamwork. Through interactive presentations, case study group work, “teach-back” sessions, and cross-country exchanges, participants are not only learning new content—they are helping shape how it will be delivered across the continent.

Sessions focus on equipping mentors with the adult learning techniques, facilitation skills, and sector-specific expertise necessary to guide trainees through the updated curriculum. Discussions also center on how to tailor the program to local contexts while maintaining the core competencies that define Frontline FETP.

To ensure broad engagement, the workshop offers simultaneous interpretation in English and Portuguese, reflecting the linguistic diversity of the region.

Investing in Preparedness

The workshop is fully funded by the U.S. CDC through AFENET and JHPIEGO, covering travel, accommodation, per diems, and logistics for participants. But beyond the financial investment is a deeper commitment—to build a resilient, multidisciplinary public health workforce capable of preventing, detecting, and responding to emerging threats across sectors and borders.

As participants dive into hands-on learning, share experiences from the field, and forge cross-sectoral connections, the energy is palpable. This is more than a training—it is the foundation for a stronger, more collaborative health future for Southern Africa.

“We are not just mentors,” one participant shared. “We are the link between what this curriculum promises and what our countries need.”

And with that, Southern Africa takes a bold step forward—together.

About the One Health Frontline FETP
The revised One Health Frontline FETP curriculum integrates human, animal, and environmental health perspectives into core epidemiology training. It aims to build a workforce that is prepared to tackle complex, cross-sectoral public health threats, fostering national and regional health security.

Workshop Hosted By: AFENET | U.S. CDC | JHPIEGO
Venue: Indaba Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa
Dates: June 2–7, 2025
Target Countries: South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique