Experience of an Entrant on the PHFP-FET
Authors: Dr Freda Loy Aceng, PHFP-Fellow Cohort 2017
The journey of this fellowship program began on 16th January, 2017 and it is an honor to be part of this life changing experience. Even though it is just at the beginning, about four months down the road, it has been both an exciting and challenging journey so far.
The didactic training offered by world class lecturers were very informative providing new knowledge in field epidemiology. The lecturers were friendly and always willing to explain concepts that were not properly understood and they kept their doors open for any further consultations. However, The time allocated for some of the training sessions was limited, thus the lecturer either rushed through or left the remainder of the materials for personal reading. The fellowship management understood when one is not able to attend the sessions as long as communication was maintained.
The field trip to Nebbi for the suspected cholera outbreak with the whole 2017 Cohort Fellows enabled me to clearly appreciate the importance of following the steps of an outbreak investigation. The practical experience brought to life classroom knowledge. I learned so much on how to go about with investigating an out- break practically and how to interact with stakeholders at community level. This exercise also enabled me gain teamwork skills since we had to deliver on reports jointly with the rest of the fellows.
The stipend that I receive enables me to handle some personal needs thus helping me concentrate on the fellowship. The fellows are friendly, considerate and always ready to help one another whenever there is need to do so. Even when there is still greater miles to be covered a head of us, I am confident that both the professional and personal relationships we have so far formed over the past few months will reach far into the future and the shared collective experience is one that will not be easily forgotten.
Like my Resident Advisor says; If you want to go fast go alone but if you want to go far then go together. My conviction is that the field Epidemiology Program will surely take us far.
