The Department of Health (DOH) and the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila have tied up to boost the epidemiology training in the country.

The collaboration will allow students to earn a master's degree in recognition of their training, leading to career advancement.

The DOH and UP Manila signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) recently for creating the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP), a two-year training program by the Health agency's Epidemiology Bureau that equips healthworkers through the "learning by doing" approach.

The program includes intensive coursework on epidemiologic methods, public health surveillance, outbreak investigation, scientific communication, and leadership.

It also includes field work allowing the trainees to apply their knowledge in conducting epidemiologic studies such as outbreak investigations and field surveys, surveillance system development and evaluation, and planned epidemiologic studies, operational research, and oral or poster presentations in various local and international scientific forums.

According to the DOH, health professionals in permanent government positions may apply for the program.

Currently, the program is only recognized as equivalent to a master's degree within the DOH system for promotion and professional recognition.

With the MOU, health professionals who trained under FETP will receive a master's degree in Public Health, with a major in Applied Epidemiology, thus giving greater credibility, especially to those who wish to pursue teaching positions.

"We saw the true value of the FETP during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their contributions have improved the country's ability to respond to public health emergencies," DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa.

"By integrating the FETP curriculum with a higher education institution, we are ensuring sustainability and academic excellence," Herbosa added.

Aside from academic provisions, the agreement allows collaborative research and discussions on public health strategies between the two government institutions, which could usher in a faster translation of research into public health policy.

Meanwhile, UP Manila Chancellor Michael Tee thanked the DOH for allowing its College of Public Health to create a program that will lead "to a competent health workforce."

"Together, we are building the foundation for a future less vulnerable to the threat of a devastating pandemic," Tee said.

"Our goal will be to prevent the loss of lives and mitigate socioeconomic impact through a predict, detect, respond, and recover framework."