MoH launches EBS Project, Public Health Empowerment Programme

Times of Oman

12-05-2025

Muscat - The Ministry of Health (MoH), represented by the Department of Epidemiological Surveillance at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, today launched the Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) project, along with the graduation of two new cohorts of national professionals from Frontline Public Health Empowerment Program in Field Epidemiology Training Program - (Frontline FETP).
The event was held under the patronage of Dr. Said bin Harib Al Lamki, MOH's Undersecretary for Health Affairs.
The opening program included a speech by Dr. Amal Al-Ma'ani, MOH's Director General of Center for Disease Control and Prevention during which she emphasized that this achievement comes as part of a national initiative aimed at strengthening the early warning system and rapid response to health events, in alignment with Oman Vision 2040, which places human health and safety at the core of its priorities.
Dr. Al-Ma'ani stated that Event-Based Surveillance is not just a system—it rather represents a qualitative leap toward smart and early detection of unconventional health signals, through integration among the health, environmental, and animal sectors, and by activating the 'One Health' approach.
Meanwhile, Dr. Heather Burke, the Regional Director of the Middle East and North Africa for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gave a presentation in which she stated: 'We are proud to see this system now being implemented across all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman to support the already well-established indicator-based surveillance system. We are confident that this system will further enhance Oman's position as a model for early warning and response systems, thereby strengthening epidemic intelligence in the country.'
Dr. Burke expressed her pride in celebrating the graduation of the third and fourth cohorts of the Field Epidemiology Training Program, pointing out that these graduates have completed their training at a critical time to support the new event-based surveillance system.
As part of the program's agenda, Dr. Adel Al-Wahibi, Director of Epidemiological Surveillance in MOH, highlighted the event-based surveillance system. He discussed its concept, the differences between it and the indicator-based surveillance system and its components. He highlighted Oman's efforts to develop this system, which include the creation of a national electronic platform, the preparation of operational manuals and standardized forms, conducting a pilot study in North Al-Sharqiyah and A'Dakhiliyah governorates, and training personnel in collaboration with the CDC, following the One Health approach to ensure integration across public, environmental, and animal health sectors.
He explained that the system's success requires enhancing administrative and operational support at the governorate level, with an emphasis on immediate reporting, monitoring performance through clear indicators, and contributing to continuous evaluation and sustainable improvement.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Manji, Epidemiologist at the Disease Control and Prevention Center, explained that the program serves as an applied educational platform that combines both theoretical and field-based learning. This program has resulted in the graduation of four cohorts of national competencies so far, serving as a successful model for enhancing the national readiness to tackle health challenges.
Regarding the program's outlook, Dr. Al Manji indicated promising prospects in terms of expanding its scope and strengthening its partnerships, while considering potential challenges such as sustainability, the diversity of required skills, and sectoral integration. These challenges also represent opportunities to continuously develop the program in line with Oman's Vision 2040, aiming to build a resilient and sustainable healthcare system.
Both the Event-Based Surveillance project and the Frontline FETP, supported through a strategic partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), are key efforts to strengthen Oman's public health infrastructure through innovative surveillance systems. These initiatives aim to enhance early warning capabilities for health threats, particularly in light of growing epidemiological and health challenges at both local and global levels.
The Event-Based Surveillance project represents a strategic transformation in Oman's epidemiological monitoring system. It is designed to enhance the health system's capacity for early detection of health threats and effective response.
This project complements the Indicator-Based Surveillance (IBS) program, reinforcing the concept of 'epidemiological vigilance' across Oman. EBS works by collecting and analyzing data from a wide range of sources, including health centers, schools, and local communities, while leveraging modern technology to improve operational efficiency and the overall effectiveness of the system.
Launched in October 2022, the project began with the formation of a technical working group to oversee its development and prepare training materials. A pilot phase was initiated in November 2023 in the North Al Sharqiyah and Al Dakhiliyah governorates, followed by full implementation across all governorates in December 2024, after training the required teams.
The Department of Epidemiological Surveillance trained 188 central-level participants from various sectors—including municipalities, the Environment Authority, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources—on EBS mechanisms. A comprehensive technical manual and training methodologies were also developed to support nationwide implementation. These included workshops and field simulations to ensure preparedness and swift responses to health risks.
The project has significantly strengthened early warning systems and improved outbreak response capabilities, minimizing the impact of diseases on communities. It has also fostered cross-sector collaboration which helped to unify national efforts to tackle public health challenges more effectively and comprehensively.
Recently, the project played a crucial role in early detection of multiple outbreaks, most notably a norovirus outbreak in A'Dakhiliyah Governorate, highlighting its critical role in enhancing crisis readiness and health emergency response. The initiative stands as a model for advancing public health and strengthening national systems to meet future health challenges.
The Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) is designed to strengthen the skills of professionals working in the health sector and related fields by developing their capabilities in disease surveillance, health data analysis, and outbreak investigation.
This program follows a hybrid learning model that combines theoretical instruction with field-based training, allowing participants to apply their newly acquired knowledge in real-world settings. It was established based on a comprehensive needs assessment conducted by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), to identify Oman's national requirements in applied epidemiology.
The program was officially launched on 21 August 2022, with its first activity being a mentor training workshop, followed by the launch of the first training cohort involving (24) participants from the Ministry of Health. To date, the program has trained (103) participants across four cohorts, drawing participants from the health sector as well as other related sectors such as municipalities and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources. The hybrid model has proven effective in integrating theoretical understanding with practical application. Additionally, (20) specialized mentors have been prepared to supervise training efforts and ensure the program's sustainability.
The program plays a key role in enhancing the competency of professionals in health surveillance and data analysis, ultimately contributing to the improvement of surveillance systems and supporting informed public health decision-making. It also fosters cross-sector collaboration, promoting the "One Health" approach, which ensures a comprehensive and coordinated response to health challenges.
This programme is regarded as a pioneering model for building national health workforce capacity, strengthening preparedness for epidemics and health emergencies, and fostering sector-wide collaboration to support public health in the Sultanate of Oman.