WHO supports training of frontline health workers in South-East Asia

On 11 March 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced its support for countries in the Southeast Asian Region in scaling up training for frontline public health workers. This initiative focuses on Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETP), equipping professionals with skills in outbreak detection, surveillance analysis, risk assessment, and communication. The Maldives is among the countries that have launched their first FETP, with the aim of training frontline workers across atolls and islands. The WHO is providing guidance to national initiatives through the ‘Regional Roadmap to Advance Field Epidemiology Capacities 2025-2029,’ with the aim of ensuring a workforce that is equipped to respond to the challenges posed by infectious disease outbreaks, health emergencies and climate-sensitive diseases. The programme has been developed to strengthen emergency preparedness, addressing growing public health threats such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and non-communicable diseases. Given the population of over two billion in this region, rapid disease surveillance and containment are critical to protect communities and enhance health security. The WHO’s initiative is designed to ensure that all countries have trained professionals who can respond effectively to emerging health challenges.