Indonesian Healthcare Workers Complete US-Backed Epidemiology Training

RRI.CO.ID, Ciloto – A total of 59 healthcare workers from various Community Health Centers in Banten, West Java, and East Java have officially graduated from the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) Frontline Batches 11 and 12. According to a press release from the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Indonesia on Monday, September 28, 2026, this capacity-building program is fully supported through the Global Health Security (GHS) activities of the United States Department of State.

The intensive training, which took place from May to September 2026, was centered at the Ministry of Health's Center for Health Training (BBPK) in Ciloto, West Java. Over the course of several months, participants were equipped with field-based training covering outbreak investigation, surveillance, and health data analysis.

These practical skills are considered crucial for strengthening national health security targets. The knowledge acquired is directly designed to support Indonesia's 7-1-7 target, which involves detecting outbreaks within seven days, reporting within one day, and responding within seven days.

U.S. Embassy Health Unit Director in Jakarta, Eni Martin, stated that the graduation of these healthcare workers serves as tangible proof of a shared commitment to protecting the community. She noted, "Today, we are graduating 59 frontline public health guardians. Your presence here today is not merely symbolic, but a concrete testament to our shared determination to protect the public by swiftly and accurately detecting, reporting, and responding to health threats."

Echoing this sentiment, the Ministry of Health's Director of Surveillance and Health Quarantine, Sumarjaya, affirmed that the success of the program is measured by field implementation. He highlighted, "The success of the FETP Frontline program is not only measured by the completion of training by participants, but also by the extent to which the competencies they have acquired can be applied to genuinely improve surveillance and strengthen our ability to detect, report, and respond to public health threats more quickly and effectively."

This achievement also reflects the strong, long-term strategic partnership between the United States and Indonesia in the health sector. The program was realized through close collaboration among the Ministry of Health, BBPK Ciloto, regional health offices, and ongoing technical support from US CDC Indonesia.

After officially joining the Indonesian Field Epidemiology Association, the graduates have now returned to serve on the frontline of healthcare in Serang, Tangerang, Bogor, West Bandung, Surabaya, and Malang. Through the application of these new skills, the United States and Indonesia continue their commitment to building more resilient health preparedness at the local, regional, and global levels.