WHO India welcomed the second cohort of the India Applied Epidemiology Programme (AEP) for an introduction and orientation on 20 June. Cohort 2 comprises 26 WHO Field Medical Officers across the country — two Regional Team Leaders, 11 Sub-regional Team Leaders, 12 Surveillance Medical Officers and 1 Zonal Coordinator, Neglected Tropical Disease team. AEP is a skill-based, on-the-job field epidemiology training programme implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The programme aims to develop workforce capacity to detect, investigate and respond to disease outbreaks and public health emergencies; enhance data collection and analysis to facilitate evidence-based decisions at national and subnational levels; and improve public health communication to policy makers and communities.
Ms Payden, Deputy WHO Representative to India, addressed the audience and reiterated the appropriateness of the training, as India has targeted several diseases for elimination. She expressed WHO India’s appreciation for the U.S. CDC, India, South Asia Field Epidemiology Technology Network (SAFETYNET), and mentors for their support to the AEP programme. She encouraged the officers to leverage this unique opportunity, which is one of the first-of-its-kind in the WHO South-East Asia Region, and apply their knowledge and skills to improve public health in India.
Best wishes to the new batch!