Ensuring quality health data for evidence-informed policy and decision-making
The theme for World Field Epidemiology Day 2022 (on 7 September) is Empowering Field Epidemiologists for Stronger Health Systems. As we wrote in an earlier blog, to celebrate, we are sharing weekly stories from Pacific field epidemiologists on the frontlines in our programs for each of the Day’s six sub-themes.
Today we are pleased to introduce you to Timen Apae, a Field Epidemiology Training in Papua New Guinea (FETPNG) graduate, Advanced FETPNG fellow, FETPNG Junior Faculty and District Health Manager in Henganofi District, Eastern Highlands Province. Timen shares here with us here some of the frontline experience he has as a field epidemiologist in Papua New Guinea, speaking to the fourth sub-theme for World Field Epidemiology Day 2022: Ensuring quality health data for evidence-informed policy and decision-making.
Timen Apae
In the public health domain, understanding the disease epidemics, trends, data collection, analysis, interpretation of data, writing reports and making informed decisions were something I had never done or had no idea while working as a Health Extension Officer at the District Health Center for the past years of my working life. Even what is research and how to do research for hundreds of problems that we encounter daily either in workplace and private life and writing up project plans and engaging my superiors in communication is something I had never come across in my working life. Even worse is to stand in front and to present through PowerPoint and speak confidently among colleagues, nationally and internationally and argue constructively over work matters basing on data is another thing I usually hide from, as I am not that good. The only thing I had which I practice every day is attend to sick, prescribe medication and doing routine things required of me at the facility.
Given the chance to attend FETPNG in 2018 as the 6th Cohort, I had a broader view of what is public health. I understood how public health problems can be addressed with evidence-based decisions and present information and communicate amongst my peers, in the community and to my superiors. Even more helpful is that I could use that knowledge to lead in the recent COVID-19 outbreak. I also realised data is important, and so I ensure it is collected regularly and accurately to identify outbreaks and monitor disease trend. I also wrote many good reports that impressed my supervisors and managers who elevated me to TB/Leprosy Program Coordinator for the Province early in 2021. Surprisingly my effort in this program was observed and just after a year I was then promoted to District Health Manager looking after many programs at the District level.
Timen participating in a group learning session in a workshop
Since learning data management skills in FETPNG, I have been able to use these data to inform decision-making in the field for ongoing program management, surveillance and in emergency scenarios. A few examples of how I have done this and the impact it has had include:
I led a team to investigate and provide intervention to pertussis outbreak in the remote village called Purosa in Okapa District, Eastern Highlands Province in the year 2021. By using the skills and knowledge learnt in the Field Epidemiology Training, I could handle misinformation from locals regarding vaccination and dismiss accusation of sorcery. I was also able to collect data by doing linelist, analyse and interpret data, and provide intervention by isolation and administering Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis vaccine preventing further outbreaks in the nearby villages.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, I led and did contact investigation and worked to communicate about risk and how people could protect themselves in the community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a couple of infected people died from the surrounding villages however not one died from my village. Reason being they adhered to my instructions on how to behave during this pandemic and measures to avoid being infected. In my role, I could collect data at my District, analyse it and report back to the Province on the number of suspected and confirmed cases and do investigation for the contacts.
During my stint as TB/Leprosy Coordinator for the Province in 2021, I was able to analyse data and report to the National TB/Leprosy program and also recommend for improvement in TB coordination for the province. I also conducted training using PowerPoint presentation and reported quarterly on the program implementation using the data analysis skills learnt in Field Epidemiology Training Program.
Timen presenting a fictional case study with aFETPNG colleagues
In my current role as the district health manager I am using those skills to collect data of various programs and health center reports and compiling them for reporting. By analysing the reports that I collect from the facilities’ daily attendances and ward admissions, I could now allocate resources to improve problem areas and also write up projects and submit for funding. It has also helped me to understand research and to do research with data I now have which I am looking forward to.
Following recently attending the Training of Trainers Training, I am also looking forward to training the Disease Control Officers in various districts in my Province in basic field epidemiology to respond to disease outbreaks, data collection analysis and reporting. I feel like I can now give my best in training future field epidemiologists for the country and contribute meaningfully in research and disease intervention.
While FETPNG is a workplace-based training program, it has also impacted me on a personal level too. As graduates of FETPNG, we are recognised to be leaders in the public health domain. Additionally, it has helped me become bold and confident in leadership at workplace and personal life. The training I went through was able to booster my public speaking skills and provide leadership in community, District and workplace. I now have confidence and believe that I can do research in the near future and looking forward to do my Masters and PhD. I can also lead in disease outbreak in the Province, country and also, if called for outbreaks in the Pacific, I am confident to take part.
Thank you Timen!
If you missed our previous World Field Epidemiology Day sub-theme blogs featuring John Landime sharing about his experience fighting outbreaks and health emergencies, including COVID-19, on the frontlines, Symphorian Sumun sharing about Strengthening surveillance systems to detect public health threats early, or Stanley Masi sharing his experience of enabling effective outbreak management and public health emergency response, you can catch up here.
If you missed our first email newsletter, you can find it here and subscribe here to have all the feel-good field epi news delivered straight to your inbox each month!