Bangladesh Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) is helping strengthen the country's public health workforce and prepare the next generation of field epidemiologists. Implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare through the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), with support from partners including CDC and EMPHNET, the program equips health professionals with practical skills in surveillance, outbreak investigation, data analysis, and evidence-based decision-making.

Since supporting the launch of the Advanced Veterinary Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETPV) in 2020 and later the Intermediate FETP in 2022, EMPHNET has worked alongside national and international partners to strengthen applied epidemiology capacity and workforce development in Bangladesh. Through technical support, training, mentorship, and collaboration, these efforts continue to contribute to a stronger and more resilient public health workforce.

One example of the program's impact is the journey of Dr. Md. Rafiul Hasan, whose experience demonstrates how field epidemiology training can translate into leadership, research, and lasting contributions to public health.

Learning Through Practice

When Dr. Rafiul joined the first cohort of the Intermediate FETP in 2022, he was already serving as a medical doctor within Bangladesh's public health system. Through the training he received during his enrollment in the FETP, he gained hands-on experience addressing real-world public health challenges while strengthening his epidemiological and analytical skills.

During his training, he evaluated Bangladesh's leptospirosis surveillance system, identifying gaps in early detection and response. He also participated in the investigation of a gastrointestinal disease outbreak, conducting risk assessments and community interviews to support public health action. In addition, he led a field project assessing community knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to death registration, which led to generating insights that could support improvements in civil registration and vital statistics systems.

By the time he graduated in September 2023, Dr. Rafiul had developed not only technical expertise but also a broader understanding of how data and evidence can drive public health decision-making.

From Training to Public Health Action

Following his graduation, Dr. Rafiul quickly applied these competencies in the field. In 2024, he led a Rapid Response Team following Cyclone Remal, which affected West Bengal and Bangladesh in late May 2024. The team conducted water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and maternal health assessments in affected communities. From another angle, his study examining WASH-related challenges among pregnant women was selected for presentation at the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH) Annual Meeting in the United Kingdom.

He also served as a field lead for the "Country Co-creation of Globally Consistent Primary Health Care Measurements" project in Bangladesh, where he supported the development of internationally comparable primary health care indicators and contributed to evidence-informed health system strengthening.

From Fieldwork to Evidence Generation

Dr. Rafiul's commitment to the generation of evidence continued beyond the FETP. In 2025, he completed a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at the National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM), where he received a Student Research Grant from the Bangladesh Medical Research Council (BMRC). His research focused on strengthening cancer surveillance through hospital-based data systems, reflecting the growing role of field epidemiologists in generating evidence that informs policy and practice.

His journey highlights an important evolution in field epidemiology. It highlights the ability to not only respond to public health threats, but also to generate the evidence needed to prevent and address them.

Strengthening the Next Generation

Beyond his own professional achievements, Dr. Rafiul is helping build capacity for future public health leaders. He has mentored three fellows from the third cohort of the Intermediate FETP, all of whom successfully completed the program. He also facilitates QGIS training sessions for FETP trainees, helping strengthen geospatial analysis skills that are increasingly important for surveillance and outbreak response.

During the 2025 dengue outbreak response in Patharghata, Dr. Rafiul led activities that included training 85 healthcare workers and volunteers and supporting outreach efforts that reached more than 2,100 households. These activities contributed to strengthening local preparedness, response, and community engagement efforts.

From Training to Impact

Reflecting on his experience, Dr. Rafiul shared:

"FETP changed how I approach public health problems. I now think in terms of systems, data, and sustainability. I went from reacting to outbreaks to preventing them… and empowering others to do the same."

Dr. Rafiul's journey reflects the broader impact of FETPs and the value of investing in field epidemiology capacity. By combining practical training, mentorship, and applied learning, the program is helping strengthen Bangladesh's ability to respond to public health threats, generate evidence, and develop future leaders capable of advancing public health both nationally and globally.

This success story was featured in our latest FETP Newsletter, you can check it out here.