Deputy PM Temesgen says Africa must strengthen partnerships in health education and training

Addis Ababa, July 6, 2026 (FMC) – Ethiopia has called for stronger continental cooperation in health professions education, as Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Truneh emphasized the importance of enhanced partnerships across Africa’s health and academic sectors during the MedEDAfrica 2026 conference in Addis Ababa.

In a message shared on social media following the conference, the Deputy Prime Minister said the future of Africa’s health systems depends on closer collaboration between governments, academia, healthcare institutions, and industry to improve training, innovation, and service delivery in the health sector.

He highlighted that initiatives such as the Consortium of Medical Schools in Africa (COMSA) offer an important platform for advancing joint efforts to develop a future-ready health workforce and address the continent’s health challenges through shared expertise and coordinated action.

Temesgen also outlined Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen medical education, including the expansion of medical schools, decentralization of training programs, and its growing role as a regional hub for health professional education.

He further noted the country’s commitment to integrating artificial intelligence and digital innovation into healthcare systems, including efforts aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment, and overall healthcare delivery.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that universities must play a stronger role not only in producing skilled graduates, but also in generating research that informs policy and drives practical improvements in health systems.

MedEDAfrica 2026 brought together stakeholders from across the continent to explore ways of strengthening collaboration in health professions education and advancing shared solutions to common health challenges.