The Field Epidemiology Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) strengthens the capacity of the public health workforce in Tanzania to collect and use surveillance data to better manage programs, including national HIV/AIDS/TB/malaria programs, and strengthens laboratory support for surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, disease surveillance, monitoring, and HIV sc+B1 screening for blood safety. The program supports Goals 5 (HRH) and 6 (evidence-based and strategic decision-making) of the Partnership Framework strategy and is aligned with the GHI strategy focused on systems strengthening and country ownership. Activities have national coverage with primary target population being in-service health professionals who are trained in two-year masters program and short courses. Strategies for cost efficiency include recruiting graduates of the program to provide mentorship and teaching for residents of TFELTP, supporting the equipping of the program library with key reference materials rather than supplying each trainee with personal reference materials, and recruiting local staff to the extent possible to keep personnel costs down. The transition strategy includes development of a close partnership with the MOHSW, participation of MOHSW in the biannual steering committee, participation of MOHSW in developing a graduate retention and career plan, and strengthening field sites through various partnerships, capacity building strategies and supply of essential materials such as furniture and computers. Monitoring and evaluation methods include use of EPITRACK, a software, among other methods of data collection.

Tanzania is faced with a challenge of inadequate human resources for health services. The lack of adequately trained personnel is often the most significant rate-limiting step in providing quality health and clinical services. In addition, there is an inadequate number of well-trained public health professionals (field epidemiologists, program managers, laboratory personnel, support staff, etc.) that have the capacity to collect and use surveillance data and manage national HIV/AIDS and other programs, as well as validate and evaluate public health programs to inform, improve, and target appropriate health interventions.

This mechanism focuses on providing training for health care professionals using two mechanisms: the two-year masters' program and the two-week short courses. Both modes of training are competency-based, focusing on performance improvement for participants in the training. The two-year training produces leaders in public health who can head government bodies and other private and public entities, where they directly influence public health policy and action. The two-week short course empowers participants with skills to implement the policies formulated at the national level.

The FELTP works closely with various departments within MOHSW, including the National Health Laboratory and programs like malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB/Leprosy, HMIS, and EPI. These provide potential field sites where trainees are posted to build their skills. Apart from CDC, FELTP has managed to secure support from various partners, including the World Bank who will give financial support to trainees on the laboratory track; the Pan Influenza Flu Group who supports strengthening FELTP training on influenza and other zoonotic diseases; PMI supports trainees activities for malaria; and International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI) supports training activities for noncommunicable diseases. National Institute for Medical Research has provided training facilities and will enhance research skills, while Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Services will provide lecturers to teach trainees and accreditation of the two-year masters' training.