Freetown, Sierra Leone — The Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) proudly hosted the graduation ceremony for Cohort 17 Frontline and Cohort 8 Intermediate of the Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP), held at the Atlantic Hotel in Lumley. The event marked a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s public health journey, celebrating the achievements of professionals trained to respond to disease outbreaks, conduct field investigations, and strengthen surveillance systems across the country.
The ceremony was chaired by Dr. Mohamed Alex Vandi, Deputy Executive Director of NPHA, and featured remarks from distinguished national and international guests including Professor Foday Sahr, Executive Director of NPHA, U.S. Ambassador Bryan Hunt, and the Deputy Minister of Health 1, Professor Dr. Charles Senesie, who delivered the keynote address. Professor Sahr commended the graduates for their dedication and emphasized the strategic importance of FETP in building a resilient health infrastructure. Ambassador Hunt reaffirmed the United States’ support for the program, describing it as a cornerstone of global health collaboration. Professor Senesie praised the graduates’ contributions to national preparedness, highlighting their role in addressing threats such as COVID-19, Ebola, and Lassa fever.
In a moment that underscored mentorship and regional solidarity, Dr. Gebrekrstos Negash Gebru, Resident Advisor for AFENET Sierra Leone, formally introduced the graduates to the Ambassador and dignitaries at the high table. His words reflected the spirit of continental partnership and the promise of a strengthened epidemiologic workforce. “It is my privilege to present these dedicated professionals to our distinguished guests,” he said. “Their journey through the Field Epidemiology Training Program reflects not only personal commitment but national progress. Today, they stand ready not just as graduates, but as guardians of Sierra Leone’s health security and contributors to Africa’s epidemiologic strength.”
His remarks echoed the spirit of the day—a celebration not just of academic achievement, but of a growing network of public health defenders. Each graduate carried with them the stories of communities served, data transformed into action, and lives protected through vigilance and care.
The graduation of these cohorts marks a pivotal step in Sierra Leone’s commitment to health security. Since its inception in 2016, the FETP has trained nearly 500 professionals across its three tiers: Frontline, Intermediate, and Advanced. The program’s structure, with 25 percent classroom instruction and 75 percent fieldwork, ensures that graduates are not only academically prepared but practically equipped to respond to real-world health emergencies. With at least one FETP-trained professional per 200,000 people, Sierra Leone is steadily building a decentralized, district-level response system.
Sierra Leone’s FETP is part of a broader African initiative supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET). Countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Ghana have also adopted the FETP model, recognizing its value in building a skilled epidemiological workforce capable of responding to both endemic and emerging health threats. This continental collaboration reflects a growing recognition that health security is not just a national priority but a regional imperative. By investing in field epidemiology, African nations are creating a network of professionals who can share data, coordinate responses, and prevent outbreaks from escalating into epidemics.
For NPHA, the graduation of Cohorts 17 and 8 is more than a ceremonial milestone. It is a strategic affirmation of its mandate to protect the health of all Sierra Leoneans. These graduates represent a new generation of health defenders who will serve in districts across the country, ensuring that every community has access to timely, data-driven public health interventions. In his closing remarks, Dr. Vandi urged the graduates to apply their skills within the One Health framework, addressing human, animal, and environmental health challenges. He reminded them that their work is vital to Sierra Leone’s preparedness for future health emergencies and encouraged them to lead with integrity, evidence, and compassion.
As certificates were presented and applause filled the room, the message was clear. These graduates are not just trained—they are trusted. They carry the hopes of a nation and the responsibility of protecting its people. Their journey is just beginning, but their impact will be enduring. From the Atlantic Hotel to the farthest chiefdom, Sierra Leone salutes its newest epidemiologists and the promise they hold for a healthier, safer future.