Pakistan is included on a list of thirty six countries made by USA to receive training on detecting, managing and controlling epidemics. Under this program, Pakistani epidemiologists would receive a two year training. I am quoting from the report published in dailymailnews.com:
"Pakistan has been included in an exclusive list of 36 countries training their own highly qualified field epidemiologists through two years training and service programme.
The programme is designed for health professionals in entry- or mid-level positions and will train eight people every year in Pakistan, said official sources here on Friday. In 2003, Pakistan requested assistance in establishing a Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FELTP) and in April 2005, the USAID Mission in Pakistan agreed to fund a three year proposal to establish a FELTP.
The Worldwide FELTP programs are based upon Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) USA. The EIS was established in 1951 following the start of the Korean War as an early warning system against biological warfare and man-made epidemics."EIS along with CDC, have developed this program and the officials work on more than 10,000 projects each year. The EIS officials study and work in almost all the countries of the world. Pakistan's Federal Deputy General Health has sent letters to all the provinces for collecting trainees.
Poverty, natural catastrophe, pollution etc cause disease in all the south Asian countries. Due to poor medical infrastructure, inadequate physician and medical workers, many people do not get proper medical treatment. Things get worse when disease turns into epidemic. I welcome this step by the Pakistani Government. They have done a very good job. I think other South Asian countries should think about initiating this kind of training program for the welfare of their people.
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