NEWS (2026)
SAFETP Celebrates Completion of Fifth Intermediate Cohort
The South Africa Field Epidemiology Training Programme (SAFETP) celebrated the completion of its 5th Intermediate Cohort, the 2nd Cohort in Mpumalanga Province, during a ceremony held on 15–16 July 2026 under the theme “Beyond Surveillance: Advancing Public Health Through Data-Informed Policy & Practice”.
The cohort comprised 11 public health professionals from diverse disciplines, including environmental health, communicable disease control (CDC), infection prevention and control (IPC), and included the first Border Management Authority (BMA) professional to participate in the Intermediate training.
Proceedings commenced with a scientific seminar, where graduates presented projects completed during their training, including surveillance data analyses, surveillance system evaluations, outbreak investigations, a group project and a group policy brief. The ceremony also featured a roundtable discussion focusing on advancing field epidemiology through data analysis and dissemination, as well as strengthening the sustainability of the field epidemiology workforce.
This cohort marked an important milestone for the programme as the first FETP Intermediate cohort to pilot the integration of the Data-to-Policy (D2P) curriculum. The D2P component strengthened trainees’ ability to translate epidemiological evidence into practical policy recommendations, reinforcing the role of field epidemiology in evidence-informed public health decision-making.
The completion ceremony was attended by representatives from the Mpumalanga Department of Health, district management, programme partners, mentors, and other stakeholders, reflecting the collaborative efforts that continue to strengthen field epidemiology capacity in South Africa.
SAFETP congratulates all graduates on this achievement and looks forward to their continued contribution to strengthening disease surveillance, outbreak response, and evidence-informed public health practice.
SAFETP Celebrates Completion of its 18th Advanced Cohort
On 26 May 2026, the South Africa Field Epidemiology Training Programme (SAFETP) celebrated the completion of its 18th Advanced Cohort during a ceremony attended by representatives from the National Department of Health, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS), Ghana FELTP, the University of Pretoria, the University of the Witwatersrand, SAFETP Alumni Association and various NICD centres.
During the ceremony, graduates reflected on their FETP journeys and presented work conducted throughout their residency, demonstrating the practical application of field epidemiology in strengthening surveillance, outbreak response, and evidence-based public health action.
Speakers from partner institutions and collaborating organisations congratulated the cohort and highlighted the important role field epidemiologists play in strengthening health systems and protecting public health.
SAFETP congratulates the graduates on this milestone and wishes them success as they continue contributing to public health in South Africa and beyond.
SAFETP Launches First One Health FETP-Frontline Cohort
From 18 – 22 May 2026, SAFETP launched its first One Health FETP-Frontline cohort in partnership with Jhpiego, marking an important milestone in multidisciplinary public health training.
Participants from Limpopo, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape were enrolled into the programme, representing the human, environmental, and animal health sectors.
The training introduced participants to the One Health approach, epidemiology, and public health surveillance. Sessions also focused on strengthening skills in summarising, analysing, interpreting, displaying, and communicating surveillance data.
The cohort reflects SAFETP’s continued commitment to strengthening collaborative surveillance and outbreak response capacity through a One Health approach.
One Health FETP Frontline Mentors Workshop
The South Africa Field Epidemiology Training Programme (SAFETP), in partnership with Jhpiego South Africa, successfully hosted a One Health FETP Frontline Mentors Workshop from 23–27 March.
The workshop brought together mentors from the animal, human, and environmental health sectors across South Africa, Eswatini, Namibia, and Lesotho, reflecting a strong regional and multidisciplinary approach to public health.
Participants were introduced to the One Health approach, as well as global and South African FETP structures, training schedules, and mentor expectations. The programme also included sessions on key aspects of public health surveillance, equipping mentors with the skills needed to support frontline trainees effectively.
This workshop marks an important step in strengthening mentorship capacity and fostering collaboration across sectors to improve disease surveillance and response in the region.
SAFETP Welcomes Twentieth Advanced Cohort
Earlier this year, SAFETP enrolled nine residents into its twentieth cohort of the two-year Advanced Field Epidemiology Training Programme. The cohort comprises medical technologists and scientists, nurse and environmental health practitioner.
The orientation week introduced residents to the programme’s structure, administration, and scientific communication requirements. They also engaged with epidemiologists at the NICD Centres of Excellence, and attended sessions on the role of epidemiology within the national public health system and emergency preparedness and response. These engagements laid a strong foundation for their training in applied field epidemiology.
SAFETP looks forward to the cohort’s contributions to strengthening surveillance and public health response capacity in South Africa and beyond.
SAFETP Frontline Port of Entry Cohort Completes Historic Training
The South Africa Field Epidemiology Training Programme has successfully graduated its first-ever Frontline Port of Entry cohort, marking a significant milestone in strengthening public health surveillance at South Africa’s borders.
The training focused on practical skills in surveillance, data analysis, ill traveller risk assessment, and outbreak response within the port health setting.
In their final week, trainees presented their port surveillance data analyses, ill traveller risk assessments, and outbreak investigations at a scientific seminar attended by port commandants, port chiefs, and the Environmental Health and Port Health Services Chief Director.
This pioneering cohort represents an important step toward building resilient systems to detect and respond to public health threats at points of entry.
Congratulations to all participants on this achievement. We trust that they will use these skills to continue safeguarding our ports.
NEWS (2025)
Eastern Cape Intermediate FETP Cohort Completion Ceremony
The South Africa FETP, together with the Eastern Cape Department of Health, held the Eastern Cape Intermediate FETP Cohort Completion Ceremony on 4–5 December 2025, under the theme “From Field Data to Public Health Action: Evidence from Intermediate FETP Trainees.”
The event was attended by leadership from the Eastern Cape Department of Health, including the Head of Department, alongside partners from the NICD and academic institutions across the province.
Twelve trainees successfully completed the programme and presented their work on surveillance system data analysis and evaluation, as well as outbreak investigations. The programme also featured a roundtable discussion on translating data into evidence for planning and decision-making.
The ceremony marked an important step in strengthening epidemiological capacity and evidence-informed public health practice in the Eastern Cape.
Historic Milestone: First SAFETP Frontline Cohort for Port of Entry Officials Launched
We are excited to announce the enrolment of the first-ever South Africa FETP Frontline Cohort for Port of Entry officials!
The first workshop, held from 3–7 November 2025, brought together Environmental Health Practitioners and Veterinarians from various ports of entry across the country.
This training, conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization (South Africa), South African National Department of Health, and the Border Management Authority (BMA), takes an integrated One Health approach; strengthening surveillance, cross-border coordination, and public health response capacities at points of entry.
A truly engaging and historic start for SAFETP and South Africa’s public health system!
