Training Program on EPPR

Epidemics and outbreaks occur globally and affect population at large. In Nepal, outbreaks are seldom investigated and reported and management of outbreaks is also not coordinated. An issue like lack of adequate trained personnel has always been felt so training of Community Medicine residents and faculties has been planned for capacity building. Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) along with World Health Organisation (WHO) and Department of Community Medicine, Nepalese Army Institute of Health Science, College of Medicine (NAIHS-COM) conducted a 5 day training for proper outbreak investigation.

1.To train residents and faculties of Community Medicine on Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Response so that they can contribute effectively in outbreak response.
2.To synergise the academic institutions and rapid response team at local, central and federal level.

Nepalese Army Institute of Health Science (NAIHS), Sanobharyang, Kathmandu.

Community Medicine residents from different medical college and faculties from all over Nepal.

Five day training was conducted including practical field based outbreak investigation experience. Training was conducted by International and National recognized trainers as follows:
   Dr. Shah Hussain
   Dr. Sampath Krishnan
   Dr. Dipendra Gautam
   Dr. lee Budathoki
   Dr. Nishchal Dhakal
   Dr. Jeevan Thapa
   Dr. Khem. R Sharma

Participants including faculty members of Community medicine were trained in this institution. It helped in establishing better coordination with EDCD and WHO when outbreaks occur. Participants were trained in following aspect:
   Basic epidemiology
   International Health Regulation(IHR), Public Health emergency of International Concern(PHEIC)
   Overview of government structure
   Epidemic prone disease prioritization for public health preparedness and response
   Overview of Epidemiological study designs relevant for outbreak investigation
   Principle of surveillance, Early warning and reporting system in Nepal
   Small pox case study
   Epidemic preparedness and response following natural disaster-flood and earthquake
   Food borne disease outbreak
   Commonly applied laboratory tests for epidemic prone pathogens
   Specimen collection matrix for epidemic prone disease
   Preparing a questionnaires, line listing for field data collection in outbreak

On day 4 of the training participants were divided into 3 groups and taken to the field for outbreak investigation on three different cases i.e. dengue outbreak investigation, viral fever and ILI/ARI outbreak investigation. On the last day of training findings of the outbreak were presented by each groups and closing session was attended by:
   Chief Administrative officer Col. Krishna Prasad Bhandari
   Head of Department of Community Medicine Prof.Dr. Lochana Shrestha
   International and National experts on Epidemic Response
   Training Participants

Participants gained a technical knowledge and skills for epidemic response. WHO and EDCD committed to collaborate this training for the development of resource on this regard at different levels. NAIHS representatives expressed their view to extend this set of training in collaboration with other partners.