DigHealth project officially kicks off to transform digital health education in Ethiopia and Somalia

Posted by admin on Saturday, 14 December 2024
December 14, 2024
Bule Hora University, as one of partners of DigHealth project, is excited to announce the launch of the DigHealth project. On December 1, 2024, the Micro-credentials in Digital Health for Ethiopia and Somalia (DigHealth)–reference number 101179425–project officially began its three-year journey, set to transform healthcare education in Ethiopia and Somalia. Co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme (Action: Capacity Building in Higher Education), the project will run until November 30, 2027.
The DigHealth project is an innovative Erasmus+ initiative that aims to strengthen healthcare access and quality through micro-credential programs in digital health, such as telemedicine, e-health, and advanced digital technologies. These programs will enable healthcare professionals to acquire essential skills needed to address healthcare challenges in underserved and remote areas of Ethiopia and Somalia.
The project brings together a consortium of 10 partner organizations from 5 countries:
Partner organization
Country
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
Somalia (SO)
Kick-off Meeting Marks a Collaborative Start
On December 12, 2024, a virtual kick-off meeting was held, where representatives from all partner institutions convened online. Discussions focused on the project’s general goals, roles and responsibilities, and immediate next steps. A detailed roadmap for upcoming activities was laid out, ensuring smooth and efficient project implementation.
Next Steps: Physical Kick-off and Training Event
The next milestone for DigHealth will be the in-person Kick-off Meeting and Training event titled "Best Practices to Developing Digital Health Education", which will be hosted by the University of Piraeus (Greece) on January 20-22, 2025, and January 24, 2025. This event will facilitate training, workshops, and knowledge exchange to lay a solid foundation for developing the region's first comprehensive digital health education curricula.
Transformative Impact for Healthcare and Education
Through tailored curriculum development, expert-led workshops, and capacity-building activities, the DigHealth project seeks to:
  • Equip local educators in Ethiopian and Somali universities with the skills needed to deliver cutting-edge digital health programs.
  • Address the growing demand for qualified professionals capable of improving telemedicine and e-health services in remote areas.
  • Enhance employment opportunities for graduates, contributing to sustainable healthcare systems and broader socio-economic development in Ethiopia and Somalia.
By aligning education with European quality standards while addressing local needs, DigHealth represents a significant step towards modernizing healthcare education systems in both countries.