Project starts a training programme for epidemiologists and microbiologists

EU-funded Twinning Project “Strengthening the capacity of Serbia’s health sector for communicable disease surveillance” commences a training programme targeted primarily at epidemiologists and microbiologists from the Balkan Region. The trainers come from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), which is the implementing organization of the Twinning Project from the EU side. The training programme will consist of at least 5 modules, which will be executed between May 2024 and March 2025. The content of the modules derives from the training needs assessment, which was carried out in October-November 2023.

The first two modules – “Advanced principles of applied communicable disease epidemiology for epidemiologists" and "Basics of applied epidemiology for microbiologists” – will be conducted from 21 to 23 May 2024 on the premises of the Institute of Public Health of Serbia “Dr. Milan Jovanovic Batut”. Some of the educational sessions will be joint for the epidemiologists and microbiologists.

The three-day training aims to equip participants with crucial skills in outbreak investigation, including understanding the steps involved, statistical analysis, and the integration of epidemiological and microbiological evidence. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of intersectoral collaboration, effective communication, and the advanced laboratory techniques such as whole genome sequencing for microbiologists.

The training language is English. Those willing to attend the training modules are required to submit an online registration form  before 10 May. Please note that the number of places in both groups is limited. The applications will be considered following the first-come-first-serve principle, and the results will be communicated to applicants by email.