The United States and India marked a significant milestone in their collaborative efforts to enhance epidemiology and outbreak response training. In New Delhi, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) India Country Director Ken Earhart, along with senior officials from India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of the India Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). This event coincided with the second annual India Epidemic Intelligence Service Conference.
In a recorded message, CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden extended his congratulations to the graduates and acknowledged MoH&FW's support in strengthening epidemiology through this field-based training program. Dr. Frieden stated, "the CDC, through the Global Disease Detection collaboration with the Government of India, is committed to working with NCDC to help build public health capacity in India by strengthening practice and applied epidemiology training, so that India may establish and grow its own cadre of elite public health leaders."
Dr. Kapil Goel, one of the seven graduates from the first Indian cohort, expressed his appreciation for the program saying, "This program has changed my life. I recommend it as a perfect way to build a successful public health career."
The India EIS Program began in 2012 as a joint initiative between India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the U.S. CDC. The EIS is a two-year competency-based field epidemiology training program originally established by the U.S. CDC in 1951. Over 3,000 epidemiologists have completed this program globally, participating in responses to numerous outbreaks including Legionnaire’s Disease, Toxic Shock Syndrome, and HIV/AIDS.
India's EIS Programme stands out as it is branded "EIS" outside of the original U.S. CDC program—a testament to strong collaboration between both nations. The program is implemented by MoH&FW’s National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).