CARDIOLOGY TRAINING IN ETHIOPIA

We have always worked closely with local institutions to ensure the cardiology training of medical and nursing staff. Thus, training is a key foundation element that characterizes the activities lead by the association.

In 2009 a cooperation agreement was signed between the University of Makallè and the University of L’Aquila with the purpose to establish educational programs and vocational training.

The programme is aimed at students of the Faculty of Medicine of Makallè, at medical and nursing staff working in the department of Internal Medicine of the Ayder University Hospital, and at doctors working in the State of Tigray (North Ethiopia).

As part of this educational activity, several lectures and seminars are planned yearly in Makallè.

The courses include lessons in:

• electrocardiography;
• echocardiography;
• other diagnostic techniques (exercise stress test, MRI);
• cardiac catheterization for adults and children;
• cardiac arrhythmias;
• cardiac surgery (prosthetic valve).

Each lesson lasts 2 hours and is spread over several days for a total of 10-12 hours.

There is also a series of lectures on the following topics: rheumatic and congenital heart diseases; heart failure and cardiomyopathies.