Liberia Launches First Cohort of One Health Field Epidemiology Training Program

In a significant milestone for public health, Liberia has launched its first-ever cohort of the One Health-focused Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP). This initiative aims to strengthen Liberia’s field epidemiology capacity to effectively address epidemic challenges through a multisectoral approach.

The inaugural One Health FETP cohort consists of 15 participants representing human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Of these, 10 are from the human health sector, three from animal health, and two from environmental health. The three-month training program begun on January 27, 2025, and is expected to enhance Liberia’s preparedness and response to public health threats through a collaborative One Health approach.

The launch of Liberia’s first One Health FETP cohort marks a significant step in strengthening our nation’s capacity to detect, investigate, and respond to public health threats. By integrating human, animal, and environmental health expertise, we are building a stronger, more resilient health system for Liberia. — Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director General, NPHIL.

The Liberia Field Epidemiology Training Program (LFETP) is housed within the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), under its Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology (DIDE). The program is implemented in close coordination with the Division of Training and Capacity-Building. Established in August 2015 with funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and implementation support from the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), the LFETP has played a crucial role in developing Liberia’s epidemiological workforce.

The LFETP consists of two main levels: Frontline and Intermediate. Over the years, it has provided training to medical, environmental, laboratory, and animal health personnel from key government institutions, including NPHIL, the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), and the Ministry of Defense.

Recognizing the need for enhanced leadership skills among public health officials, the Executive FETP was introduced in 2021. This six-week training package is designed specifically for surveillance officer supervisors, equipping them with the necessary skills to support the implementation of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy.

As of September 2024, the LFETP has made significant strides, graduating 291 individuals across 13 cohorts at the Frontline level and 116 individuals in eight cohorts at the Intermediate level. Additionally, 39 Medical Directors have been trained through three cohorts of the Executive FETP, further strengthening leadership capacities within major health facilities in Liberia.

With the launch of this One Health-focused cohort, Liberia reaffirms its commitment to a holistic approach in tackling public health threats. The integration of human, animal, and environmental health sectors into field epidemiology training is expected to enhance Liberia’s ability to detect, investigate, and respond to disease outbreaks more effectively.

Public health stakeholders and international partners anticipate that this initiative will bolster Liberia’s disease surveillance and response capabilities, ultimately contributing to national and regional health security.