COVID-19 Field Activities by the Mexico FETP
By:
Contributed by the Mexico Field Epidemiology Training Program
Mexico FETP.jpg

The Mexico FETP participates in a training in the use of personal protective equipment. (Photo courtesy of Mexico FETP)

i

Each day, residents of the Residency Program in Epidemiology within the national Ministry of Health’s General Directorate of Epidemiology (Mexico’s Field Epidemiology Training Program [FETP]) generate, analyze, and share data on the COVID-19 pandemic in order to inform decision-making by Mexico’s officials. FETP residents contribute to the publication of a daily COVID-19 bulletin, helping to disseminate critical information to health professionals as well as to the general public.

Through the General Directorate of Epidemiology’s Epidemiological and Health Intelligence Unit (UIES), FETP residents follow up on COVID-19 using event-based surveillance, detecting, verifying, and evaluating risks 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From the UIES, FETP residents function as coordination focal points for the rest of Mexico.

Facing long, arduous working periods, FETP residents identify and monitor cases and contacts and have been fundamental to the detection, response to, and control of the pandemic. Residents work across all areas of Mexico’s response to COVID-19, ranging from administrative issues to operational activities including laboratory practice and clinical and epidemiological fieldwork. Residents are also engaged in international activities as members of the national focal point team for the International Health Regulations (IHR).

Through the long hours and varied assignments, the pandemic has provided residents with significant opportunities for gaining knowledge and experiences to advance health security across Mexico and the world.