Mongolian Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) graduates are serving at the forefront of emergencies and outbreaks where their contribution is having a measurable impact. They have strengthened the country’s capacity to rapidly detect and respond not only to COVID-19, but to public health emergencies and outbreaks at all levels.  

The FETP has been instrumental for the country’s COVID-19 response operations, with graduates placed at all levels of response operations. Mandated through Ministerial Orders, 15 COVID-19 surveillance and rapid response teams were established, comprising 98 members. Of these, 20% are FETP graduates, with eight teams led by graduates. These teams have primarily been responsible for contact tracing of suspected cases, interviewing repatriated individuals, confirming hospitalized cases using a standard questionnaire, and collecting samples for testing.  

Training and Retention 

In part supported by the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PC), the Mongolia FETP produced 70 graduates across nine cohorts. Graduates hail from various sectors, professions, and levels including doctors, public health leaders, laboratory specialists, biologists, and veterinarians. Most importantly, the program features a high post-graduate retention rate, with 86% currently working for the Government, 75% working in the national epidemiology and surveillance system, 8% in the private sector, and 6% in non-governmental organizations. While initially the development of the program was supported by development partners, the Mongolian government progressively took ownership of the program delivery – demonstrating long-term sustainability for their health workforce development.  

On-the-ground research and analysis 

The Mongolian FETP has played a vital role in improving scientific knowledge following outbreak investigations. Leaders have instilled a culture among graduates of publishing results from epidemiological investigations – most notably with seven scientific pieces on the COVID-19 response published by FETP graduates. 

Of note are two studies conducted by cohort trainees. One focused on the clinical characteristics of initial COVID-19 confirmed cases, and showed that 21% of cases had no symptoms upon testing, and 33% had mild illness.  The second study focused more on an analysis of risk communications and community engagement (RCCE) data – particularly around calls to hotlines, and prevention and care information shared through the Ministry of Health’s social media channels.  This study found that when the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in Mongolia, there was a peak of inbound calls 2.9 times higher than the average number of daily calls, with the highest number of calls about medical services.

This on-the-ground data collection, research, and analysis is integral for operational decision-making, with RCCE a key pillar of the Mongolian response to COVID-19.  Over time, the continuous strengthening of Mongolia’s health workforce is better preparing the country for future outbreaks and pandemics.

Photo caption: Surveillance and response teams working on COVID-19 response operations.

Photo credit: WHO