‘Epidemiologists plays crucial role in disease detection and response to outbreaks’
THE Zambia field epidemiology training programme plays a strategic role in assuring health security as well as rapid response to disease outbreak across the country since its inception.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary technical service Professor Lackson Kasoka has said field epidemiology training programme were different from other didactic trainings because they offered hands-on training and skills during the field attachment.
Professor Kasonka stressed that public health security comprehends the activities required to minimise the danger and impact of acute public health events that endanger the collective health of populations living across the globe.
Speaking during the field epidemiology training programme in Lusaka yesterday, Prof Kasonka said the training of the epidemiologist improves timely detection and response to outbreaks and therefore, minimises such dangers to the population.
He said the government has shown commitment through the allocation of funds in the budget to support the programme.
He disclosed that the programme being in the Zambia national Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) workforce development clustre will receive funding through ZNPHI.
Prof Kasonka said the Ministry of Health will work closely with ZNPHI to extend disease intelligence structures to provide and district levels.
“Zambia recognises the need for epidemiological skills at all levels of care and the ministry will continue engaging districts, provincial and national levels to train an improve health acre workers skills through the frontline and advanced FITP,” said Prof Kasonka.
And ZNPHI director general and health advisor to the President Prof Roma Chilengi added that epidemiologists forms a skilled public health workface that can be mobilized to respond to diseases outbreak in the country and region.