Cape Verde Launches Intermediate Field Epidemiology Training Program
The National Public Health Institute (INSP) of Cape Verde has launched its first intermediate-level Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP). This initiative is a direct result of the "Epidemiology of Field Program of Cape Verde" (EpiCV), established following a 2019 Joint External Evaluation (JEE). The JEE highlighted significant gaps in the national health surveillance system, particularly a shortage of epidemiologists.
Since 2020, INSP, in collaboration with the Directorate-General of Health, has already trained over 100 frontline epidemiologists across all municipalities. Building on these successes, INSP is now advancing to a more specialized intermediate FETP. This new program, supported by the West and Central Africa Health Security Project and the Pandemic Fund through the Special Projects Management Unit (UGPE), also benefits from the collaboration of the Brazilian Association of Field Epidemiologists (ProEpi).
The nine-month, 564-hour program will employ a hybrid learning model, combining in-person sessions, virtual guidance, and supervised fieldwork. Participants will gain skills in public health reporting, surveillance system evaluation, outbreak investigation using epidemiological methods, scientific report writing, and participation in epidemiological studies. The goal is to train up to 18 professionals by March 2027, strengthening the country's epidemiological surveillance and enhancing its response to future health threats. FETPs are globally recognized strategies for developing public health surveillance expertise, implemented in over 100 countries.
The establishment of an intermediate-level Field Epidemiology Training Program in Cape Verde signifies a strategic investment in national public health infrastructure. This move addresses identified weaknesses in health surveillance, aiming to build domestic capacity for disease detection and response. The program's hybrid model and focus on practical skills development, including outbreak investigation and scientific reporting, are designed to create a more resilient and responsive public health workforce. By fostering a network of trained epidemiologists, Cape Verde is proactively positioning itself to mitigate the impact of future health crises, aligning with global best practices in pandemic preparedness and recognizing the long-term benefits of investing in human capital for national security.
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