India epidemic intelligence service: Advocating for a unique mentor-based epidemiology training program

To strengthen epidemiological capacity in the country, the Government of India in 2012 initiated a unique, competency-based training in epidemiology. Modeled along the United States Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), this 2-year mentor-driven and practical-oriented program, based on “learning by d...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Jai Prakash Narain
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2018-01-01
Series:Indian Journal of Public Health
Subjects:
EIS
Online Access:http://www.ijph.in/article.asp?issn=0019-557X;year=2018;volume=62;issue=2;spage=143;epage=145;aulast=Narain
Description
Summary:To strengthen epidemiological capacity in the country, the Government of India in 2012 initiated a unique, competency-based training in epidemiology. Modeled along the United States Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), this 2-year mentor-driven and practical-oriented program, based on “learning by doing,” is being implemented by the National Centre for Disease Control in Delhi, in close collaboration with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta. In its 4th year now, many lessons learned so far are being used to expand the program, without compromising on the technical quality. Many including the trainees who have completed the program speak highly of the epidemiological skills imparted in real time and feel that if the India EIS program is “regionalized” and expanded rapidly, it could in due course transform public health in the country.
ISSN:0019-557X