Strengthening the MediPIET Alumni Network
The annual MediPIET Alumni Network (MediAN) meeting convened on 22 November 2024 during the European Scientific Conference on Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology (ESCAIDE) in Stockholm, Sweden.
The gathering included MediPIET alumni, current fellows, National Focal Points, supervisors, invited guests, and staff from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
The meeting began with an update on MediAN's networking activities and communication efforts in 2024.
Key presentations included:
- Public Health Challenges in Libya: A presentation on the risk of diarrheal diseases in children under five years old during a significant outbreak in Al-Bayda, Libya.
- Training Centre Updates: Insights from working groups, focused on curriculum review, accreditation, and communication.
- Country Collaborations: Details on recent MediPIET fellow country visits and collaborative efforts.
The session finished with a group discussion in which participants offered valuable feedback on enhancing the network's support for ongoing training, mentorship, and program sustainability.
Next steps
The MediPIET Alumni Network remains committed to strengthening regional public health capacity by fostering collaboration, supporting fellows, and integrating region-specific insights into training modules. Looking ahead, alumni will continue to serve as ambassadors for the MediPIET program, advancing health security within their home countries and professional networks.
Background
Established in 2013 at the initiative of the European Commission, the Mediterranean and Black Sea Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (MediPIET) aims to enhance health security in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions.
The program supports capacity-building for the prevention and control of natural or man-made communicable disease threats through a long-term regional Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP), Training of Trainers activities, annual scientific events, and other networking initiatives.
Since 2021, ECDC has implemented MediPIET under the EU Initiative on Health Security (ENI/2020/415-420), with the establishment of the MediPIET Alumni Network being a key component for the program's long-term sustainability
