Kuwait: As part of efforts to strengthen the public health system and enhance the preparedness of the national healthcare sector, Kuwait’s Ministry of Health has announced the completion of an assessment of training needs for implementing the Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) in the country.
The assessment was carried out in cooperation with the World Health Organization and the Middle East Network for Community Health, with the participation of the Kuwait Center for Disease Prevention and Control. The initiative is aimed at establishing a sustainable national institutional programme aligned with internationally approved standards.
The Field Epidemiology Training Programme is recognised globally for building the capacities of healthcare personnel in epidemiological surveillance, rapid outbreak response, health data analysis and evidence-based decision-making. The programme is expected to strengthen the efficiency of the public health system and improve preparedness for future health challenges and crises.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mohammed Qassem Behbehani, Head of the Public Health Emergency Planning Unit at the Kuwait Center for Disease Prevention and Control, said completing the assessment marks a strategic step toward developing a national field epidemiology programme based on international best practices.
He noted that field training programmes are considered among the key global pillars supporting public health systems and enhancing health security.
Dr Behbehani added that the move reflects Kuwait’s continued progress in strengthening public health infrastructure, particularly in epidemiological surveillance and reference laboratories, through partnerships with regional and international organisations. Such cooperation, he said, helps enhance knowledge exchange, transfer expertise and build a more flexible and prepared health system capable of responding to future health risks.
The Ministry of Health also reaffirmed its commitment to implementing high-quality training programmes and specialised partnerships aimed at developing national competencies, enhancing health security and protecting public health in line with the highest international standards.
