By Dr. Alhaji Njai, Freetown
I had the distinct pleasure to offer the opening remarks and speak at the graduation ceremony of 35 Sierra Leone Field Epidemiologist trained and mentored in the Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Program supported by US CDC and implemented by AFENET in partnership with Ministry of Health and Sanitation.
The program was well attended by the US Ambassador, US CDC Country Director and other government officials. It has been wonderful to be a senior mentor of the mentors and mentees offering technical guidance and leadership. Monday’s graduation was the 12 cohort of Frontline and fifth cohort of Intermediate FETPs.
The country can now boast of nearly 300 field epidemiologist, a far cry from zero at the time of the Ebola outbreak in 2014. This is a great opportunity for health systems strengthening and building resilience. It is always a pleasure to see people you mentor grow and thrive, and Monday’s graduation ceremony was a happy moment for Salone. Building technical capability and leadership is a key to success, development and creating thriving societies.
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