On February 2, 2023, the East African Training Initiative (EATI), a training program at Addis
Ababa University for pulmonary and critical care fellows, celebrated its 10 ^th anniversary. At the celebratory symposium, speakers and panelists reviewed the accomplishments of the program and its impact on lung health in Ethiopia. The meeting opened with remarks by Dr. Aschalew Worku, a graduate of the East African Training Initiative, and an address by Dr. Rahel Argaw, president of the ETS and Clinical Service Director of Tikur Anbessa Hospital (also a graduate of the East African Training Initiative). Congratulatory messages were given by José Luis Castro, the Chief Executive Officer of the global public health organization Vital Strategies, an important sponsor of EATI, and Dr. Charles Sherman, former Director General of EATI. Prof. Neil Schluger reviewed the educational accomplishments of EATI and described the important values of commitment, respect, and friendship that have been critical to the program’s success.
Dr. Amsalu Bekele delivered an overview of the impressive research outputs of the faculty and fellows of EATI (over 75 original publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals) and spoke in detail about the research training that EATI has provided for its participants. Dr. Lelisa described the critical role of international partnership in strengthening community and clinical services for lung health. Dr. Ahmed Reja, former Chairman of the Department of Medicine during the creation of EATI, articulated a goal of establishing EATI as a regional center of clinical, research, and training excellence in East Africa. The following points were put as a way forward: strengthening the PCCM fellowship program, expanding the program to the different regions of the country, strengthening the research activities and look for research funds, and enhancing the clinical services related to lung health and critical care medicine.The program concluded with a major address by Dr. Dereje, State Minister of Health, who gave a detailed and insightful overview of lung disease in Ethiopia and highlighted the contributions that EATI has made in efforts to control tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, the Covid-19 pandemic, asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. The state minister also requested that ETS collaborate with the Ministry to further its work in tobacco control, nationwide expansion of critical care services and training in critical care for general hospitals and primary care physicians. He delivered an expansive vision for continued partnerships between EATI, ETS, and the Ministry to improve lung health throughout the country through the creation of a Lung Institute that would promote further research. He also described his goals of creating an expanded workforce that would be created through short-course training for mid-level providers. He concluded by affirming the Ministry’s support for the work of ETS and EATI. The conference was concluded by recognizing individuals and institutions who had contributed to the success of EATI program.