Rwanda Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program

Program overview

The Rwanda Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program is a two-year postgraduate training in field epidemiology and field-oriented public health laboratory practice that was established in May 2010 to enhance the Ministry of Health’s capacity to conduct effective public health surveillance and allow timely response to endemic and emerging public health threats in Rwanda. The program is implemented as a partnership between the Government of Rwanda (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, School of Public Health at the University of Rwanda), the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other partners. The School of Public Health hosts the program and provides didactic instruction and academic supervision while the Ministry of Health is expected to provide the infrastructure for competency development as well as field supervision and mentorship.

Achievements

Four cohorts ranging from 14 to 17 trainees have enrolled to date. Graduates have collectively given over 40 scientific presentations, authored 33 manuscripts, investigated 49 outbreaks, and participated in 56 surveillance improvement projects.