Event highlights
The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Training for Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) Fellows in Türkiye, held from 20 to 24 October 2025, helped to empower epidemiologists to turn data points into life-saving insights, from mapping disease spread to planning rapid responses. Organized under the Health Security Project in Türkiye, funded by the European Union and WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the training brought together 20 FETP fellows and mentors from the Ministry. Experts from the WHO European Geospatial Coordination Hub hosted in the WHO European Centre for Preparedness for Humanitarian and Health Emergencies designed and delivered the training in person.
Building skills for a safer future
Each day featured interactive modules on key GIS concepts, followed by guided exercises and group case studies simulating real outbreak scenarios. Dr Fehminaz Temel from the Ministry of Health stated that through the analysis and visualization of data, GIS facilitates data-driven planning and decision-making processes in the field of public health. Transforming complex datasets into visual insights helps to identify public health problems, monitor changes, and manage and respond to public health events.
Participants worked in teams to design and present outbreak response maps, applying what they learned to data reflecting public health challenges in Türkiye.
Özge Mıhcı, a FETP Fellow and Medical Specialist, emphasized that the training taught her how to visualize data and use open-source tools. “As a field epidemiologist, I realized that I can apply what I have learned to present more understandable visuals to health managers. In the future, I plan to use these skills to improve data-driven communication in the field and support evidence-based decision-making in public health,” she noted.
The collaborative setting allowed fellows to exchange experiences with experts from WHO and the Ministry of Health, fostering a strong professional network that extends beyond the training room.
Dr Tasnim Atatrah, WHO Representative in Türkiye, highlighted that by the end of the training, the fellows will have tools and skills that will support them to see where diseases are spreading, to spot problems early, and to quickly and effectively plan outbreak responses.
Event notice
From data to decisions: turning maps into life-saving tools
In the world of public health, a map is more than a visual – it is a tool for action. From tracking outbreaks to identifying vulnerable populations, GIS have become essential for understanding how diseases spread and where interventions are needed most. As noted by Jawameer Kakakhan, Team Lead for Data and Digital Solutions at the WHO European Centre for Preparedness for Humanitarian and Health Emergencies, geospatial technologies and spatial data are vital for early outbreak detection, risk mapping and targeted, evidence-based interventions. He added that relying on open-source solutions makes these skills sustainable, widely accessible and transferable, ensuring that the knowledge gained by fellows will drive real impact in their daily work and public health practice.
Mapping Türkiye’s health security
Türkiye’s diverse geography, cross-border mobility and exposure to emerging diseases highlight the need for spatial intelligence in health systems. By integrating GIS into the FETP curriculum, Türkiye is ensuring that its next generation of epidemiologists is equipped to use geospatial technologies for outbreak detection, surveillance and disaster preparedness.
WHO/Europe’s work on supporting health security preparedness with GIS
The training in Türkiye marks a significant milestone, being the first of its kind to use open-source tools. The successful pilot has generated valuable insights and lessons that will inform future iterations of the course. Building on this success, the WHO European Geospatial Coordination Hub, hosted in WHO/Europe’s Centre for Preparedness for Humanitarian and Health Emergencies, plans to expand the training to other countries in the Region, strengthening national capacities to integrate geospatial technologies across all aspects of public health, including emergency preparedness and response.