Africa-Press – Mauritius. Thirty health professionals received certificates, yesterday, at the Hilton Hotel Flic-en-Flac, after having successfully completed the 13-week Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) – Frontline One Health.
The training, the very first held in Mauritius, was coordinated by SEGA (Surveillance des épidémies et de gestion des alertes) One Health network of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) in collaboration with the Mauritius Institute of Health (MIH). It was also supported by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the European Union (EU).
The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal; the Secretary General of the IOC, Mr Vêlayoudom Marimoutou; the Head of Cooperation of the EU, Mr Milko Van Gool; the AFD’s Director, Mr André Pouillès-Duplaix; the MIH’s Director, Dr Geeta Daby; and other personalities were present during the certificate presentation ceremony.
Addressing the participants, Dr Jagutpal dwelt on the importance to continuously train health professionals so that they are prepared to fight infectious diseases in the face of the COVID-19 and recurrent climatic changes in the Indian Ocean region.
The COVID-19, he said, has prompted us to overcome challenges especially in the health sector. The need to be more vigilant in the wake of emerging diseases such as Monkeypox was also highlighted by the Minister.
Dr Jagutpal further pointed out that the participants of the first cohort will have the opportunity to pursue their Masters in Field Epidemiology while adding that a second cohort comprising several staff of the Ministry of Health and Wellness will kick-off soon.
As for Mr Marimoutou, he spoke of the relevance and effectiveness of continuous training at all levels for consolidating resilience. The ceremony, he pointed out, coincided with the World Day of Field Epidemiology observed on 07 September.
For him, the training of health professionals is way to reinforce regional cooperation. The Secretary General also emphasised that the FETP One Health training is being held in countries such as Comoros.
He further indicated that a batch of 29 professionals in Madagascar received their certificates last month and a new cohort will start in Seychelles this year.
FETP – Frontline One Health
The FETP – Frontline One Health is a short-term training of 13 weeks in the field of epidemiology which aims to have qualified human resources to strengthen surveillance epidemiology and response to epidemics.
It advocates a One Health approach and is implemented as part of the IOC’s SEGA – One Health network. SEGA – One Health Network
The SEGA – One Health brings together professionals of human and animal health to help them improve surveillance, prevention and response to epidemic risks.
It operates through several thematic hubs including surveillance and response, training (FETP programme), network of laboratories, vector risk, climate change, and border surveillance, amongst others.
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