TORONTO ADDIS ABABA ACADEMIC COLLABORATION IN FAMILY MEDICINE: THE DAWN OF FAMILY MEDICINE IN ETHIOPIA THROUGH AN INTER-INSTITUTIONAL MODEL

Introduction: Increasing evidence supports the development of robust primary care as a central pillar of health systems. The transition from Millennium Development Goals into the Sustainable Development Goals presents an opportunity for innovation in effective health service models, with significant contribution from family medicine. Objective: In 2013, Addis Ababa University (AAU), with an inter-institutional model of collaboration, launched the first family medicine residency program in Ethiopia. Methods: AAU’s family medicine residency program was inaugurated in collaboration with the Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM), University of Toronto and the DFCM at the University of Wisconsin. The launch of the program followed a series of strategic discussions, needs assessments, international collaborations, and faculty development events held between 2008 and 2013. The program aims to train family physicians for Ethiopia and to cultivate future faculty and program offerings encouraging sustainability through capacity building. Results: The program has achieved significant milestones. Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health has embraced family medicine as a key element of its health system and recently announced the upcoming establishment of additional family medicine training programs. Ongoing challenges exist, including undefined roles and career opportunities for this new cadre of family physicians in the health care system, a shortage of Ethiopian faculty, and the need to expand the number of training programs to produce enough family physicians for the population. The program’s sustainability will be contingent on the ongoing support of Ethiopian leaders, local champions, reduced reliance on expatriate faculty, commitment from long-term partners, and support for expansion sites.