On Friday evening I had the great fortune of attending a Physicians for Peace’s dinner in Virginia Beach where I learned more about the incredible work that our partners are doing in Eritrea. The Eritrean Ministry of Health, The George Washington University Medical Center (GWUMC) and Physicians for Peace have come together in the “Partnership for Eritrea” to bring the first post-graduate medical training programs to this Horn of Africa country. This remarkable collaboration is addressing the desperate need for healthcare providers in a country where there are only five physicians for every 100,000 people.

Among the honored guests was the Honorable Ghirmai Ghebremariam, Ambassador of the State of Eritrea to the United States. Dr. Jim Scott, Dean, GWUMC and Dr. Ellen K. Hamburger of the Children’s National Medical Center spoke of the pediatric and surgery residency program and Dr. Judy Sondheimer provided a testimonial about her personal experience as visiting faculty in Eritrea. Their presentations were truly inspired and the success of the Partnership could very well become a model for reducing “brain drain” throughout the continent. Learn more here.

-Lauren Conn