Field Epidemiology Training Program of Papua New Guinea
Celebrating 10 Years of FETPNG!
The National Department of Health and its partners developed a field epidemiology training programme of Papua New Guinea (FETPNG) to strengthen the country’s public health workforce. The training programme covers field epidemiology competencies and includes the design, implementation and evaluation of evidence- based interventions by Fellows.
126 Intermediate FETP Graduates from 4 countries.
17 Advanced FETP Graduates from Papua New Guinea.
22 Rapid Response Teams trained in Papua New Guinea: 22 teams in Phase 1, and 20 teams in Phase 2.
80 graduates of our One Health Frontline FETP Program.
About the Program
The Field Epidemiology Training Program of Papua New Guinea (FETPNG) is a flagship initiative for building a skilled workforce to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats.
Established in 2013 by the National Department of Health, the program was created to address the country’s shortage of trained epidemiologists and to strengthen health systems.
A Tiered Training Model
FETPNG operates through a tiered approach:
Frontline FETPNG (f-FETPNG) – launched in 2022 with a One Health focus, this three-month course builds local-level capacity across human, animal, plant, and environmental health sectors.
Intermediate FETPNG (iFETPNG) – a nine-month, competency-based in-service program. Fellows remain in their workplaces, attend three intensive workshops, and complete field projects that strengthen surveillance, outbreak response, and data analysis. Uniquely, iFETPNG includes an intervention project, where fellows design, implement, and evaluate real-world public health solutions.
Advanced FETPNG (aFETPNG) – piloted between 2019 and 2022 to support senior professionals with higher-level epidemiology and leadership skills.
Rapid Response Team (RRT) Training – introduced in 2019 to help all 22 provinces establish multi-disciplinary teams able to respond quickly to outbreaks.
Impact and Achievements
Since inception, FETPNG has trained over 130 graduates across 22 provinces, with many continuing to serve in key public health roles. Graduates have:
Investigated hundreds of outbreaks and strengthened surveillance systems nationwide.
Designed and implemented interventions tackling urgent issues such as tuberculosis, HIV, immunisation, malaria, maternal health, and sexual violence—with measurable improvements in health outcomes.
Produced evidence that has directly influenced policy and practice, such as updating diagnostic protocols, improving immunisation coverage, and strengthening outbreak response in complex emergencies.
Evaluation studies confirm that the program has substantially improved technical and leadership skills of graduates. Many have advanced professionally, taken on supervisory or executive roles, and become mentors themselves, creating a cycle of sustainability.
Sustainability and Recognition
FETPNG has grown into a program led and taught by Papua New Guinean faculty, supported by national and international partners. In 2021, it was accredited by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). The program also received the 2022 National Department of Health Executive Manager’s Award for Program Excellence.
Today, FETPNG stands as a regional leader in field epidemiology training, building a resilient health workforce, strengthening health security, and saving lives through evidence-based action.
Hear from Graduates
Stories from FETPNG
Highlighted Program
Rapid Response Team Training
Highlighted Program
One Health Frontline FETP
Focus
A focus on designing and implementing effective public health interventions not only provides useful skills to fellows but contributes to real- time, tangible and meaningful improvements in the health of the population.
Critical Shortage
Papua New Guinea (PNG) faces a critical shortage of human resources to address pressing public health challenges arising from an increasing burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. FETPNG aims to directly address this challenge through an intervention based field epidemiology training program.
Resources for FETPNG Faculty & Graduates
eLEARNING
Four eLearning courses available: Excel Fundamentals for Field Epis, Rapid Response Team Training, Basics of Public Health Surveillance and our newest course; Outbreak Investigation.
TEMPLATES FOR FIELD EPI’S
A series of free templates for field epidemiologists:
An outbreak situation report (sitrep) template
An outbreak report template
A generic linelist template
A weekly surveillance report template
An annual surveillance report template
CASE STUDIES
A series of case studies based on the intermediate field epidemiology training curriculum used in PNG and Solomon Islands. The case studies have been specifically written to supplement the workshop-based training, but stand alone, so anyone in the world can access and use them. The 5 case studies each cover a different core competency from the field epidemiology training.
Contact
Mr Barry Ropa
Director, Health Security & Surveillance Branch
National Deparment of Health, PNG
Email: bropa2013@gmail.com
