CHANDIGARH, 22.07.26-Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, organized and conducted the first contact session of the five-day Intermediate Field Epidemiology Training Programme (I-FETP) in collaboration with National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)from 13^th to 17^th July 2026(at Hotel Park View) in Chandigarh. The I-FETP, is a flagship capacity building initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) and was expanded through a national network of 14 Regional Hubs and inaugurated by the Union Health Secretary.

The training programme was conducted under the guidance of Dr. P.V.M. Lakshmi (Nodal Officer for I-FETP), Professor of Epidemiology, Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh,with mentorship from PGIMER faculty and experts from the World Health Organization.

The first contact session was attended by 16 participants from the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, including Medical Officers, District Epidemiologists, and District Surveillance Officers. Through lectures, practical exercises, case studies, and interactive discussions, the programme strengthened participants' skills in disease surveillance, data analysis, and outbreak investigation. This training programme was the first of the five scheduled sessions over one year, under the guidance of experienced mentors.