Namibia’s Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (FELTP) has received Training Programmes in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (TEPHINET) accreditation, Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula has announced.

The minister at a press conference in Windhoek on Wednesday said this represents recognition that the training follows international standards.

“The delivery of quality field epidemiology and laboratory training calls for strong collaboration and partnerships. We have walked this journey with the University of Namibia, a co-host training institution for this programme. We highly value this collaboration,” Shangula said.

At the same event, Rachel Coomer spoke on behalf of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Namibia, saying the United States Embassy in Namibia is proud to be a partner of the health ministry.

She said the United States government has collaborated with the ministry through the US CDC since the start of the programme in 2012.

“Nam-FELTP is a country-owned programme modelled after CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service. Since 1980, over 80 countries have participated in CDC-supported FETP-Advanced programmes and produced over 5 000 disease detectives. Gaining the TEPHINET accreditation highlights Namibia’s place in global disease detection,” Coomer said.

Since the programme’s establishment, more than 200 residents have been trained in either the frontline or advanced course.

Coomer noted that Nam-FELTP is noteworthy in that 75 per cent of the course requires field work. She commended those who signed up for a programme that “requires dedication and commitment and put skills into action.”

She also applauded the Ministry of Health and Social Services and UNAM for striving for and achieving the TEPHINET objective accreditation in order to ensure that the residents know that the course is recognised as meeting international standards.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency