The Epidemic Intelligence Programme (EIP Malaysia) was established in 2000 following a World Health Organization (WHO) assessment prompted by the Nipah encephalitis outbreak of 1997-1998. It was formally launched on March 24, 2002, as a hybrid model inspired by the US CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) program. Early training was conducted through the International Field Epidemiology Training Program (IFETP) in Thailand between 2001 and 2004. The first local cohort, the Advanced Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP), took place from 2002 to 2004, supported by external consultants. From 2004 to 2014, the program expanded with subsequent cohorts (Cohorts 2-7), evolving from external guidance to local mentorship.

 

In 2014, EIP Malaysia was officially recognized as a pathway for subspecialty training in Communicable Disease Epidemiology, resulting in an increase in advanced training participants from 2015 to 2016. The program continued to grow through Cohorts 9-12 (2017-2022), with several graduates being sent for Training of Trainers (TOT) in Thailand. By 2025, the program has reached Cohort 14, enhancing Malaysia’s field epidemiology capacity and international collaboration. As of February 2025, EIP Malaysia has produced 49 graduates, with 26 retired, and currently has 21 active trainees.

 

From its inception in 2000, inspired by the lessons of the Nipah encephalitis outbreak, to its current standing as a proud member of the global TEPHINET network, EIP Malaysia has set the standard for public health leadership. Committed to the principles of "shoe-leather epidemiology," EIP Malaysia has developed a resilient frontline of field epidemiologists—professionals who do not merely analyze outbreaks from behind desks but confront them head-on in the field. Today, EIP Malaysia continues to cultivate skilled epidemiologists, ensuring that the nation remains well-equipped to tackle public health challenges and respond to emerging threats.