First Mentor Training for Intermediate FETP Successfully Conducted in Nepal

The South Asia Field Epidemiology and Technology Network (SAFETYNET), in collaboration with the National Health Training Centre (NHTC), Nepal, successfully conducted the first Training of Mentors for the Intermediate Field Epidemiology Training Program (I-FETP) from March 30 to April 2, 2026.

The training brought together participants from across Nepal’s national health system—including both current and former professionals—as well as representatives from academia and the World Health Organization.

The primary objective of the training was to orient participants on the I-FETP curriculum and to clearly define their roles and responsibilities as mentors. Through a series of interactive sessions, discussions, and practical exercises, participants were equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to guide and support future trainees.

Mentors for the inaugural cohort of I-FETP Nepal will be selected from among the trained participants. The training was facilitated by Dr. Fadzilah Kamaludin, Deputy Director of SAFETYNET, and Dr. Mallick Masum Billah, Country Resident Advisor for Nepal.

A total of 17 participants successfully completed the training and formally committed to serving as mentors for the first cohort of the I-FETP. This milestone marks a significant step forward in strengthening Nepal’s public health workforce and enhancing its capacity for disease surveillance and outbreak response.

The closing ceremony featured remarks from key public health leaders, including Dr. Mallick Masum Billah; Dr. Kenza Benani, Team Lead of the Communicable Diseases Surveillance Programme at WHO; Ms. Yeshoda Aryal, Director of NHTC and Course Director of FETP; and Dr. Keshar Bahadur Dhakal, Director General of the Department of Health Services.