U.S. Philanthropists Help Establish Ethiopia’s First Post-graduate Dermatology Training Program

May 17, 2007
No. 28/07

Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) May 17, 2007 – The lack of dermatologists and the high prevalence of dermatological illnesses such as leprosy and leishmaniasis in Ethiopia prompted a small group of philanthropists in the United States and doctors working at the African Leprosy/TB Education and Research Training (ALERT) Center, to combine their efforts to establish a post-graduate dermatology training program in Addis Ababa.  The program they established seeks to double the number of dermatologists in Ethiopia in three years. In addition, dermatologists trained under the program will train general practitioners and mid-level health care workers (nurses and health officers), who provide dermatological care for the large majority of the population, including those in rural areas.  

Dr. Fuad Temam is the first Ethiopian dermatopathologist to be trained at the Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology.  Dr. Fuad’s training was funded through the generosity of its founder, Dr. A. Bernard Ackerman, and U.S. philanthropists Calvin and Hiroko Kiiffner.  Dr. Fuad returned to Ethiopia in 2005 and is now training Ethiopian dermatologists through the AAU-ALERT dermatology program.  This program is a three year clinical training in dermatology that began in 2005 with six medical school graduates.  Since 2005, ten additional trainees have joined, and each year, 8-10 additional trainees are taken on.  The program is delivered jointly by the medical faculty of Addis Ababa University and the ALERT Center.  At present, a limited number of training slots are available for general practitioners and mid-level health care workers.

At a ceremony at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence on May 14, U.S. Ambassador Don Yamamoto met Dr. Fuad Temam along with U.S. philanthropists Calvin and Hiroko Kiiffner, and Dr. A. Bernard Ackerman MD, dermatopathologist and founder of the Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology in New York City.  They were accompanied by Asqual Getaneh, MD, MPH, a physician at Columbia University in New York City, who brokered the connection between Dr. Ackerman, the Kiiffner's and ALERT.  Dr Ruth Leekasa, ALERT Director, also accompanied the group.  Ambassador Yamamoto said during their meeting, that the efforts of this dedicated group of people is a wonderful example of U.S.-Ethiopian collaborative efforts to come up with lasting solutions for improved health care in Ethiopia.  He said that programs such as this one, initiated and sustained by local experts, help to increase local capacity and respond to local needs. 

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