The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) trains health workers in applied public health through the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) of the Epidemiology Bureau (EB). It envisions a culture of evidence-based decision making and has set its mission to develop and train competent field epidemiologists for the Philippine public health system.
On January 11, 2018, Philippine FETP was awarded with Certificate of Accreditation by the Global Accrediting Body of TEPHINET. Philippine FETP is the first program in Asia and seventh worldwide to be accredited. On February 19, 2018, the Certificate was presented to the Secretary of Health.
Awarding of Certificate to Sec. Francisco Duque From left to right: ASec. Lyndon Lee Suy, Dr. Alethea De Guzman, Dr. Irma Asuncion, ASec. Maria Francia Laxamana, Dr. Ma. Nemia Sucaldito, Sec. Francisco Duque, USec. Gerardo Bayugo, and Dr. Vikki Carr de los Reyes
On January 23, 2018, Development of Analysis and Reporting Guidelines for Fireworks – Related Injuries Surveillance during Yuletide Season was conducted to produce a manual of operation for FETP Training Staff. It was attended by selected FETP graduates and fellows.
On March 13-16, 2018, Finalization of FETP Fellow’s Handbook was conducted in Country Chateau, Tagaytay City, Philippines. The purpose of this activity is to finalize the handbook that will serve as a guide to the trainees on the policies and guidelines of FETP.
FETP fellows investigated Measles outbreaks in Davao City, Zamboanga Peninsula, Antique Province, and Taguig City, Philippines.
On March 5, 2018, an official order from the Department was released appointing Dr. Ferchito L. Avelino as the new Epidemiology Bureau Director. He is the former Director III of Bureau of Quarantine and a graduate of Philippine FETP Batch 7.
On April 10-13, 2018, a scientific workshop on Western Pacific Surveillance and Response (WPSAR) Journal was facilitated by Ms. Dorothy Southern from United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It was participated by FETP fellows, graduates, and FETP training staff. This continued collaboration of Philippine FETP and WPSAR strengthened the capacity of FETP fellows and training staff in writing manuscripts for peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response (WPSAR) Journal Scientific Writing Workshop April 10-13, 2018, Tagaytay City, Philippines
Philippine FETP had conducted two evaluations for this quarter. The Evaluation of FETP Batch 27 for Graduation was held last April 23, 2018 and the First Year Evaluation of FETP Batch 28 was held last May 8, 2018. These evaluations were attended by selected FETP Board members.
Evaluation of FETP Batch 27 for Graduation April 23, 2018 Epidemiology Bureau, Department of Health
First Year Evaluation of FETP Batch 28 May 8, 2018 April 23, 2018 Epidemiology Bureau, Department of Health
On May 16, 2018, FETP Batch 29 fellows started their didactics at Epidemiology Bureau, Department of Health. The aim is to capacitate the trainees on epidemiological principles, procedures and its application to FETP in preparation for field work.
FETP Batch 29 Didactics Epidemiology Bureau Staff welcomes Four FETP Batch 29 Fellows Department of Health, Philippines May 16, 2018
On July 17-21, 2018, updating of FETP Manual of Procedures and Development of Participant’s Workbook was conducted in Baguio City, Philippines. It was attended by selected FETP Graduates to update the policies and guidelines of the program and identify learning outcomes, topics, and methodologies for the FETP fellows’ workbook to be used for didactics.
Updating of FETP MOP and Participant’s Workbook Development
FETP Batch 29 fellows had conducted 12 epidemiologic investigations (10 outbreaks and 2 special studies) for 3rd quarter 2018. These include investigations on Aedes-borne infections, Cholera, Hepatitis A, and foodborne illness epidemic.
FETP Batch 29 in actionJuly-September 2018
On August 27-30, 2018, a Scientific Writing Workshop was conducted in Rizal, Philippines by the Field Management Program Course (FMPC) of the Epidemiology Bureau for its selected graduates. A total of 8 applied management projects were drafted. FETP Philippines provided the training course and FETP alumni Mr. John Bobbie Roca and Ms. Paola Katrina Ching and current FETP Fellow Ms. Denisse Lou Manalili acted as facilitators.
Scientific Writing Workshop for FMTP Graduates
Dr. Vikki Carr de los Reyes, FETP Philippines Training Officer, is currently on her Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship at Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. She was delighted to meet Dr. Dionisio Herrera and other TEPHINET staff during ICEID in August. Recent highlight of her stay in Atlanta included cherished hanging out with Dr. Mark White, CDC Resident Advisor to FETP Philippines (1987-1993), and learning from his experiences in public health and lessons in American history.
Dr. De Los Reyes visited Kennesaw Mountain, National Battlefield Park, Georgia with Dr. White.