The Beginnings
In 1973, Ethiopia saw the establishment of its first Neurology unit under the Department of Internal Medicine at Addis Ababa University. This initiative was led by expatriate staff, notably Professor F. Jenlik, marking the foundation of neurological care in the country. The landmark moment in Ethiopia’s neurology history came in 1980 when Professor Redda Tekle Haimanot, the country’s first neurologist, joined the unit after completing his training at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. Following him, Professor Guta Zenebe also trained at McGill University and contributed significantly to the growing unit.
At the time, Ethiopia faced a severe shortage of neurologists, with only one neurologist serving approximately 40 million people.
Establishment of Neurology Training at Addis Ababa University
In 2006, with the relentless efforts of Professor Guta Zenebe, the Department of Neurology was formally established at Addis Ababa University. The inaugural year enrolled six fellows into the program, marking the beginning of structured neurology training in Ethiopia.
Since its inception, the department has achieved remarkable milestones:
- 93 Neurologist Specialists have graduated from the Neurology Specialty Program.
- 10 Internist Neurologists have completed the Neurology Subspecialty Program.
- 8 Pediatric Neurologists have been trained in the Pediatric Neurology Subspecialty Program.
Current Contributions
Out of the graduates:
- 66 Neurologist Specialists, 8 Neurology Subspecialists, and all Pediatric Neurology Subspecialists are actively serving across Ethiopia, significantly improving access to neurological care.
Expansion to Gondar University
In a groundbreaking development, Ethiopia launched its second Neurology training program at Gondar University in January 2021. This achievement was made possible through the dedication of:
- Dr. Nebiyu Bekele, Department Head.
- The late Dr. Samson Yaregal.
This initiative was supported by collaborative efforts involving the Department of Neurology at Addis Ababa University, Mayo Clinic, and Yehulshet Specialty Clinic.
Currently, the program has enrolled 15 residents, and the first cohort is set to graduate in 2024, further expanding the country’s capacity for neurological care.
Key Impact of Neurology Training in Ethiopia
From a single neurologist in 1980, Ethiopia now has a growing workforce of specialists and subspecialists dedicated to improving neurological care.
The establishment of structured training programs has contributed significantly to addressing Ethiopia’s unique neurological challenges.
The collaborative approach between academic institutions and international partners has been instrumental in building capacity and ensuring sustainability in neurology training.
Ethiopia’s progress in neurology training reflects the commitment to bridging the gap in neurological care, ensuring better access, and preparing the next generation of neurologists to serve the nation effectively.
- Current Neurology professionals in Ethiopia
o 74 – actively practicing Adult Neurologists in Ethiopia
o 1 actively practicing Neurointerventionist in Ethiopia
o 9 – actively practicing Pediatric Neurologists in Ethiopia
o 2 -actively practicing Neuropsychiatrists in Ethiopia
o 1 actively practicing Neuropthalmologist in Ethiopia