Fighting Disease:  Ethiopia

Ethiopia Public Health Training Initiative

From 1997-2010, at the invitation of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the Carter Center-supported Ethiopian Public Health Training Initiative worked successfully in partnership with seven Ethiopian universities and the Ethiopian government (the ministries of health and education) to address the dangerous void in rural health services for 75 million Ethiopians.

When the program began, Ethiopia had one of the lowest life expectancies in the world and one of the highest infant mortality rates. This critical situation was compounded by the frequent migration of Ethiopia's skilled health professionals to other countries, leaving a dangerous void of service providers.

Today, as a result of the Carter Center-supported Ethiopia Public Health Training Initiative, more than 26,000 EPHTI-trained health service professionals serve 90 percent of the Ethiopian population.

International experts worked side by side with Ethiopian teaching staff at the University of Gondar, Defense College of Health Sciences, Haramaya University, Hawassa University, Mekelle University, Jimma University, and Addis Ababa University.

More than 2,500 faculty were trained through 565 workshops and seminars. In addition, 228 learning materials were developed that reflect Ethiopian health care needs and experiences. The learning materials address life-threatening diseases and longer-term health promotion and cover topics such as: HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases, nutrition, maternal and child health, mental health, reproductive health, and water and sanitation.

EPHTI also enhanced classroom and learning environments for health sciences students. More than 7,000 textbooks were provided as well as subscriptions to professional journals, computers, anatomical models, and supplies such as stethoscopes and gloves.

A second component of the program trained health center staff and community health workers, including traditional birth attendants and community health agents.

In 2007, the Ethiopia Public Health Training Initiative Replication Conference provided the opportunity for ministries of health, education, and science and technology from 10 African governments to learn how EPHTI's model could help address the severe shortages of health care professionals in their own nations. Since the conference, several countries have expressed interest in establishing similar programs. Read the press release: U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Delegation To Tour Africa >

Currently, lessons learned from EPHTI are being used by The Carter Center and the Liberia Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to create a national mental health system for the post-conflict nation. Read more: Replication of the Ethiopia Public Health Training Initiative >

In late 2010, as part of the original agreement between the Ethiopian government and The Carter Center, the Carter Center-assisted EPHTI was officially transferred to Ethiopia's federal ministries of health and education.

Learn more about EPHTI and download free health learning materials >

Read the press release: The Carter Center Celebrates Transfer of Ethiopia Public Health Training Initiative to Ethiopia Ministry of Health and federal Ministry of Education >

Read the feature: Ethiopia Experience Provides Surprises, Strengthens Commitment to Health Initiatives >

Read the profile: Ethiopian Staffer Relishes Role in Health Training Initiative >