There is a global health workforce crisis characterized by widespread shortages, maldistribution and poor incentives.

Of all the continents, sub-Saharan Africa is the worst affected; carrying 25% of the

global disease burden and served by only 3% of the global health workforce. 

Having participated at many discussions of experts, political and civil society leaders over the years,

it is evident that the root cause of the problem and its solution lies in education and training.

Training a sufficient global pool of skilled, motivated and supported health workers is of the highest priority in addressing this crisis.

It is for this reason that ACHEST has prioritized this work area along with retention and migration of health workers.

Following wide consultations and guided by the rich experience of Co-chairing the Sub-Saharan African Medical Schools Survey,

ACHEST decided to establish a Working Group on Medical Education with the following terms of reference:

1.      To monitor and evaluate  global and African trends in Medical Education including their impact on Africa

2.      To monitor outputs and track deployment of medical doctors in Africa

3.      To evaluate medical training curricula and their responsiveness to population health needs in African countries

4.      To pursue a research agenda focused on the accountability of medical education to population needs

5.      To forge partnerships within Africa and the international community on Medical Education

6.      To advocate for accountable education and training of doctors among political and civil society leaders in Africa and the international community.

7.      To publish a newsletter and other material, initially in partnership with the SAMSS project and later at ACHEST

Members of the Working Group:

Professor Francis Omaswa; Executive Director, ACHEST, Kampala, Uganda

Professor Jehu Iputo; Director, School of Medicine Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu, University, Republic of South Africa
 Professor Vanessa Burch; Director, Fellows office (FAIMER) and Chair of Clinical Medicine, University of Cape Town, Republic of south Africa
 Professor Mwapatsa Mipando;  Dean of Students & Head of Physiology Department, University of Malawi College of Medicine
Professor E. Oluwabunmi Olapade Olaopa; Senior Lecturer, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
 Professor Paschalis Rugarabamu; Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Hubert Kairuki Memorial University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

 Professor Karim Abdel Koumare; Prof. of Anatomy & Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Mali