The African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) in collaboration with the Kenya Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program organized the 8th AFENET Scientific Conference with a theme: “Strengthening Public Health Systems in Africa Towards Enhanced Global Health Security: The Role of Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs”. This conference that takes place every 2 years had last been held in 2018 due to covid-19 pandemic interferences.
The 8th conference was long overdue, Field Epidemiology Laboratory Training Programs (FELTP) residents, graduates, and the entire public health community as well as multi-lateral agencies had accumulated a wealth of knowledge and eager to share experiences in field epidemiology and other facets of global health security.
The Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program (PHFP) actively participated and contributed to this knowledge sharing platform. Overall, twenty-nine (29) abstracts were presented by the PHFP, 26 of these abstracts were from the advanced field epidemiology track, two abstracts from the Uganda intermediate FETP, and one abstract from the Uganda frontline FETP.
Besides the scientific presentations, Uganda participated in the international nights, an evening event that was designated to cultural exhibition by the various attending countries. The team was dressed in “kikoyi” theme attires and made a dance performance from the Buganda culture (central Uganda). At the end of the evening, Uganda emerged the best group to showcase their culture.
At the end of the conference, Uganda scooped three awards that included: Best oral presentation advanced (2nd runner-up) by Patrick King, best oral presentation intermediate, and best contributing program to the Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (JIEPH); a journal published by AFENET.