The Need for Medical Education

Imagine a country where five pediatricians and seven surgeons serve 4.9 million people; a country about the size of Pennsylvania. While the United States has a ratio of 293 physicians for every 100,000 people, Eritrea has only five physicians for 100,000 people. Most of those physicians are general practitioners who had no training after graduation from medical school. To address this severe physician shortage, the Eritrean Ministry of Health, The George Washington University Medical Center and Physicians for Peace have partnered to develop and implement the country’s first post-graduate medical training programs, starting with pediatricians, surgeons, and Ob/Gyns.

Learn more about the partnership...

The First Graduating Class

The Partnership for Eritrea (PFE) marked a major milestone on December 5, 2009, when eight pediatricians graduated, along with 31 doctors, from the Orotta School of Medicine. The eight graduates began the program in January 2008 as part of a post graduate medical education initiative begun by Physicians for Peace, The George Washington University (GWU) and the Eritrean Minister of Health.

Presiding in the ceremony along with the Minister of Health, Dean and Associate Dean, were Dr. Jim Scott, Dean of GWU’s Medical School, Dr. Haile Mezghebe, PFE’s Director of Post Graduate Medical Education, Dr. Ellie Hamburger of Children’s National Medical Center, and Dr. Margot Anderson, Director of PFE’s pediatrics program. Dr. John “Skip” Williams, VP for Health Affairs and Provost, GWU, also provided remarks at the historical ceremony.

The Partnership for Eritrea was designed, at the request of the Government of Eritrea, to assist in developing and implementing post graduate medical programs, beginning with pediatrics, surgery and OB/GYN.


The eight graduates of the post-graduate school of pediatrics (above) will
double the country's number of practicing pediatricians.

How to Help

Make a financial contribution -
The Partnership for Eritrea is a non-profit entity that relies on both financial and in-kind contributions to operate. Click here to make your donation.

Donate supplies -
In addition to financial contributions, the Partnership accepts donations of:
~ Educational materials, including medical textbooks, journals, etc.,
~ Medical equipment and supplies, and
laptops, PCs, handheld devices, etc.
To donate call 202.994.2796

Share your knowlege -
Are you a medical professional who would be interested in working or volunteering in Asmara? Share your valuable time with students who will go on to help heal their country. Find out more...