NEWS (2026)
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!
