Field epidemiologists gather for ‘One Health’

For three days in July – 5th to 7th – at the Abuja Transcorp Hilton Hotel, epidemiologists from across Nigeria and beyond would gather to discuss  ‘Strengthening One Health Through Field Epidemiology Training’.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Nigeria Field Epidemiology
and Laboratory Training Programme (NFELTP) are hosting their Second Annual
Scientific Conference to provide a strategic platform for public health professionals.

During the conference, participants will have the opportunity to share their scientific
work with key stakeholders and to drive a One Health agenda for public health.
Key note presentations will be delivered by Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu the National
Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the NCDC, Dr Kariuki Njenga, Country
Director of the Washington State University Global Health Programme in Kenya, Dr.
Ebere Okereke, a global health consultant from Public Health England, Professor
Oladipo Aboderin of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology,
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State and Dr. Akindele Olupelumi Adebiyi
of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.

The conference will also provide a training opportunity for the Field Epidemiology
residents and graduates as well as all other colleagues working in intervention
epidemiology on scientific communication, providing them an opportunity for
epidemiological networking and partnership and a platform to engage strategically on
public health issues.

The Local Organising Committee of the conference aims to build on the successes of
the maiden conference and offer an engaging platform for all key stakeholders in the
public health sector.

NFELTP was established in October 2008 to develop a self-sustaining institutionalised
capacity to train public health leaders in field epidemiology and field-oriented public
health laboratory practice. The programme also provides epidemiological services to
the public health system at Federal, State, and Local levels. The NCDC, Federal
Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Rural Development, University of Ibadan,
Ahmadu Bello University, and the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET),
work together to develop public health capacity, strengthen health systems and
respond to disease epidemics and other priority public health problems in the Nigeria
and beyond.

Senior health officials, universities, subject-matter experts and the wider public health
community are the key target audience alongside the NFELTP trainees and graduates.
Oral and poster presentations, an NFELTP Alumni meeting and a Zoonoses workshop
make up some of the highlights of the event.

Participants are expected to pre-register for the event online and visit the
http://nfeltpconference.afenetnigeria.net:81/nfeltpconference website for more
information.