Dig-Health project officially kicks off to transform digital health education in Ethiopia and Somalia
On December 1, 2024, the Micro-credentials in Digital Health for Ethiopia and Somalia (DigHealth) project, reference number 101179425, officially began its transformative three-year journey. Co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme (Action: Capacity Building in Higher Education), this project is set to run until November 30, 2027, and will reshape the landscape of healthcare education in Ethiopia and Somalia.
As an innovative initiative under the Erasmus+ framework, DigHealth focuses on enhancing healthcare access and quality through micro-credential programs in digital health. These programs, covering critical areas such as telemedicine, e-health, and advanced digital technologies, will equip healthcare professionals with the essential skills required to address healthcare challenges in underserved and remote regions of both countries.
A Collaborative Partnership: Bringing Together Expertise from Across the Globe
The DigHealth project is a collaborative effort involving a consortium of 10 partner organizations from 5 countries, all committed to improving healthcare education. The project partners include:
- P1 RIT Croatia, Croatia (HR)
- P2 University of Piraeus, Greece (EL)
- P3 Catholic University of Croatia, Croatia (HR)
- P4 IHF asbl, Belgium (BE)
- P5 Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia (ET)
- P6 Bule Hora University, Ethiopia (ET)
- P7 Jigjiga University, Ethiopia (ET)
- P8 University of Hargeisa, Somalia (SO)
- P9 Horseed International University, Somalia (SO)
- P10 Somali Education and Youth Development Action (SOEYDA), Somalia (SO)
Kick-off Meeting: A Collaborative Beginning
On December 12, 2024, a virtual kick-off meeting marked the official start of the project. Representatives from all partner institutions gathered online to align on the project’s goals, roles, and responsibilities, setting the stage for seamless collaboration. A detailed roadmap for the upcoming activities was established, ensuring effective and timely implementation of the project.
Looking Ahead: In-Person Kick-off and Training Event
The next key milestone will be the in-person Kick-off and Training event on “Best Practices for Developing Digital Health Education”, hosted by the University of Piraeus in Greece from January 20-22, 2025 and January 24, 2025. This event will focus on training, workshops, and knowledge-sharing to lay the foundation for developing the first comprehensive digital health education curricula in the region.
Transformative Impact on Healthcare and Education in Ethiopia and Somalia
Through customized curriculum development, expert-led workshops, and hands-on capacity-building activities, the DigHealth project aims to:
- Equip educators at Ethiopian and Somali universities with the tools needed to deliver innovative digital health programs.
- Address the increasing demand for qualified professionals to enhance telemedicine and e-health services, especially in remote and underserved areas.
- Increase employment opportunities for graduates, thereby contributing to sustainable healthcare systems and broader socio-economic development in both countries.
By aligning the education provided with European quality standards while meeting the unique needs of both Ethiopia and Somalia, Dig-Health marks a significant step forward in modernizing healthcare education systems in these nations.
