South Africa Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program
Affiliation: University of Pretoria
South Africa Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (SAFELTP)
The South Africa Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (SAFELTP) was established in May 2006, and joined AFENET in March 2007. The program offers two Masters Degree programs in Applied Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory Practice. It was the second program in the Network to incorporate the laboratory track, after Kenya.
The program aims to strengthen the culture of critical thinking and problem-solving in the public health community. Residents provide recommendations to improve public health, train other health workers, and disseminate their findings through various presentations and publications.
The program places emphasis on service as residents pursue a Masters of Public Health awarded through the University of Pretoria. The SAFELTP offers two tracks: one in Applied Epidemiology and one in Public Health Laboratory Practice. Residents spend 35% of their time in classroom instruction and 65% carrying out field assignments.
SAFELTP’s partners include: South Africa National Department of Health, South Africa Provincial Departments of Health, National Institute of Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, University of Pretoria, CDC’s Global AIDS Program and Division of Laboratory Systems.