Dili, June 11, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) held a graduation ceremony for 40 health personnel in its first cohort of field epidemiologists, marking an important step in officially preparing professionals to detect, investigate, and respond to health threats across the country.
According to WHO Representative Arvind Mathur, Timor-Leste launched its FETP course in February 2025, following key findings from the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) conducted in 2018 and 2024, which identified gaps in national field epidemiology capacity.
“These 40 health professionals have completed an intensive four-month training program, learning how to monitor disease patterns, track outbreaks, analyze data, and alert authorities when action is needed. These graduates will now play a vital role at all levels, from village and municipality to national health systems in monitoring disease outbreaks and responding rapidly to protect communities,” stated WHO Representative Arvind Mathur.
The WHO representative explained that the FETP in Timor-Leste is implemented by the National Institute of Public Health (INSPTL) with support from WHO Timor-Leste, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (TEPHINET).
Speaking at the event, KOICA’s Country Director Youn Hwa Kang congratulated the graduates, emphasizing that they are now equipped to identify key health concerns, detect outbreaks early, and analyze surveillance data skills essential to crafting informed response strategies. She further noted that while technical knowledge is important, it is their dedication that will drive lasting change.
On another note, INSPTL President Merita Monteiro stated that this graduation marks a proud and historic moment for Timor-Leste, made possible through strong partnerships with KOICA and WHO. She emphasized the critical role of field epidemiologists, who will now be deployed across all 13 municipalities to address not only infectious disease outbreaks but also emerging challenges such as zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
“I feel incredibly proud,” said João de Jesus Araujo, a general doctor at a Community Health Center (CHC) in Baucau and one of the FETP graduates. “This training has given me the tools to detect and respond to outbreaks early. I now feel more confident and better prepared to protect my community, especially as we may face future pandemics.” João shared these remarks with INSPTL President Merita Monteiro before addressing journalists.
He also noted that in July 2024, a Training of Trainers (ToT) session for FETP was conducted with support from SAFETYNET experts, WHO Timor-Leste, and WHO SEARO. This initiative laid the foundation for the three-month FETP training that began earlier this year.
The graduation event highlighted that Timor-Leste, alongside Thailand, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, and other Southeast Asian nations, is successfully implementing the FETP program as part of the regional WHO initiative.
Reporting: Nelfiano
Photo: WHO Timor-Leste Media