Belize City, Belize, May 12, 2025 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW), launched the third cohort of the Intermediate Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) in Belize, an essential part of Belize’s efforts to strengthen its public health workforce.
The third cohort of the Intermediate FETP in Belize marks a significant milestone in Belize’s ongoing investment in the development of its public health professionals. The program focuses on expanding applied epidemiological capacity, ensuring the country has enough trained experts to detect, investigate, and respond to public health threats.
Since 2021, Belize has successfully completed four Frontline FETP and two intermediate FETP cohorts, graduating over 40 health professionals who now contribute to the country’s public health response. This new cohort includes 12 additional trainees from the regional and community hospitals and polyclinics throughout the country.
The Intermediate FETP course, running through to November 2025, will equip participants with essential skills in areas of surveillance, outbreak investigation, data analysis, and risk communication, critical in detecting and responding to public health threats in a timely and effective manner.
The key objectives of the program include:
- Strengthening Belize’s public health system and aligning with international preparedness efforts.
- Providing advanced field epidemiology training to professionals in the country.
- Strengthening the capacity of the MoHW and other related sectors using the One Health approach.
- Improving technical skills in epidemiology, public health, communication, management, and laboratory.
In addition to strengthening capacity, the program also aims to meet the accreditation standards set by the Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (TEPHINET). These standards focus on program sustainability, completion rates, field site engagement, and quality improvement mechanisms. Thus, Belize is steadily progressing toward achieving this accreditation, positioning the country as a potential regional model for applied epidemiology training.
By continuing the implementation of FETP cohorts, Belize is reinforcing its ability to respond to public health threats, support national development goals, and align with regional and global efforts to enhance health emergency preparedness and response. In an increasingly interconnected world, the investment in Belize’s public health workforce through the FETP is a key step in advancing global health security.
