Provincial Leaders Collaborate to Shape Nepal’s Field Epidemiology Training Strategy

Lalitpur, Bagmati province - The National Health Training Centre (NHTC) and WHO Country Office for Nepal organized a two-day consultation workshop in Kathmandu from 16–17 April to develop a strategic roadmap for Nepal’s Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP). The FETP will strengthen Nepal’s capacity to detect and respond to disease outbreaks by developing a skilled public health workforce, ensuring that trained professionals are equipped to take timely and effective action during public health emergencies. Key federal-level stakeholders and representatives from academic institutions and health professionals from all seven provinces contributed to the draft FETP Strategic Roadmap. Through guided sessions, participants provided feedback, shared technical insights and offered suggestions. Key topics discussed included the implementation of the strategy across provinces, ensuring long-term sustainability and improving coordination among different levels of government. Participants also discussed how the roadmap could effectively address the evolving need for a skilled epidemiology workforce across the health system, with a focus on developing personnel capable of responding to disease outbreaks and other emergencies. The feedback gathered will inform the development of a strong national roadmap with a clear vision for advancing field epidemiology training in Nepal. This initiative is supported by The Pandemic Fund.