About MedEdAfrica
Background
Africa carries a high burden of disease while facing persistent health workforce shortages, maldistribution, and constraints in training capacity. Medical and health sciences education systems are adapting in the context of growing complexity, including climate risks, demographic shifts, emerging and re-emerging epidemics, and rising non-communicable diseases. These pressures require education models that are responsive, competency-based, equitable, and aligned to health system needs.
Purpose
MedEdAfrica strengthens African ownership and collaboration to advance health professions education at scale. The conference creates a shared space for leaders, educators, regulators, students, and partners to align priorities, share innovations, and accelerate implementation of reforms that improve workforce readiness and health outcomes.
Meet The Team
International Steering Committee
Abebe Bekele, MD, PhD, FCS
Dean, University of Global Health Equity
Secretary General at COMS-A; Co-Chair ISC
Assegid Samuel
Human Resources For Health Development and Improvement Lead Executive Officer, Ministry of Health, Ethiopia
Co-Chair ISC
Prof. Lionel Green-Thompson
Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town
COMS-A President
Kara Louise Neil
Director of COMS-A
ISC Member
Prof Yvonne Dei-Adomakoh
Dean, University of Ghana Medical School
COMS-A Vice President
Dr. Elsie Kiguli-Malwadde
Deputy Executive Director, African Centre for Global Health and Social Transformation (ACHEST)
ISC Member
Zohray M. Talib
Executive Vice Dean for Education California University of Science and Medicine
ISC Member
Behaylu Yibe Woldemskel
Coordinator Of School Of Medicine, College Of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University
ISC Member
Claudine Mimi Sugira
Lead, Academic Partnerships & The Paul Farmer Collaborative, University of Global Health Equity (UGHE)
ISC Member
Amal Saleh, MD
Associate Professor, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University
ISC Member
Dr. Muluken Tesfaye
Chief Executive Director, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College
ISC Member
Solomon Worku Beza
Consultant, Ministry of HealthEthiopia
ISC Member
Rashidah Nambaziira
Program Lead, Consortium of Medical Schools–Africa (COMS-A)
ISC Member
Dr. Mengistu Hailemariam
Susan Thompson Buffet Foundation
ISC Member
Roselyne Niyigena
Academic Partnership Coordinator, University of Global Health Equity (UGHE)
ISC Member
Dr. Victor Mithi
Program Lead, Consortium of Medical Schools–Africa (COMS-A)
ISC Member
Prof. Siméon Pierre CHOUKEM
Chair, Education and Curriculum Committee, Consortium of Medical Schools-Africa (COMS-A)
ISC Member
Rihanna Nursema
President, Ethiopian Medical Students’ Association, Addis Ababa University, Tikur Anbessa
ISC Member
Dr. Merertu Temesgen
Academic and Research Provost, Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical college
ISC Member
Henok Tadele, MD, Paed, Paed Cardio
Dean, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University
ISC Member
Dr. Aschalew Worku
Senior Advisor to the Minister of Health, Ethiopia
ISC Member
Rosine Amani Musafiri
Executive Assistant to Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Research Affairs
ISC Member
Rachel murekatete
Administrative Assistant, Consortium of Medical Schools–Africa (COMS-A)
ISC Member
2026 Scientific Committee
Dr. Amal Saleh Nour
Associate Professor of Radiology, Neuroradiologist, Addis Ababa University
Scientific Committee Co-Chair
Dr. Barnabas Alayande
Chair, Centre for Equity in Global Surgery, University of Global Health Equity, Rwanda
Scientific Committee Co-Chair
Dr. Didier Kamatari
Vice Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Burundi
Scientific Committee Member
Thomas Thesen, PhD, FRSB
Associate Professor, Medical College, East Africa, Aga Khan University, Kenya & Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, USA
Scientific Committee Member
Dr. Merertu Temesgen
Academic and Research Provost,Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Ethiopia
Scientific Committee Member
Dr. Yusuf Ahmed Ali
Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Burao
Scientific Committee Member
Dr. Chivaugn Gordon
Head of Undergraduate Obstetrics & Gynaecology Education, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Scientific Committee Member
Dr. Dorothy Kamya
Associate Dean of Postgraduate Medical Education, Aga Khan University, Kenya
Scientific Committee Member
Prof. Simone Titus
Associate Professor, Department of Health Professions Education, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Scientific Committee Member
Prof. Adeola Fowotade
Provost, Benjamin Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock ,University Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
Scientific Committee Member
Dr. David Mulenga
Dean, School of Medicine, Copperbelt University Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine, Zambia
Scientific Committee Member
Prof. Bamba Gaye
CEO of the Alliance for Medical Research in Africa (AMedRA)
Scientific Committee Member
2026 Student Committee
Chairs
Rihanna Nursema
Mr. Sayuran Pillay
Members
Name | Medical school | Country |
|---|---|---|
Fikir Belete | Addis Ababa University, Tikur Anbessa | Ethiopia |
Dennis Jlaty Blay Jr | A.M. Dogliotti School of Medicine, University of Liberia | Liberia |
Eric Murithi Mutua | Egerton University | Kenya |
Stacey Akinyi | Kenya Methodist University | Kenya |
Elicana Nduhuura | University of Global Health Equity | Rwanda |
Methode Yusufu Abdoulkarim | University of Rwanda | Rwanda |
Danika Govender | University of Cape Town | South Africa |
Charm Mavimbela | University of Botswana | Botswana |
Abdourraouf Yougouda | University of Bamenda | Cameroon |
Chafor Nkemetia Anslem | University of Bamenda | Cameroon |
Teresa Sindique | Higher Institute of Science and Tecnology of Mozambique (ISCTEM) | Mozambique |
Biruktawit Kindu | debretabor university | Ethiopia |
Joseph Sundano Samwinga | The University of Zambia | Zambia |
Chibale Chinungwe | The University of Zambia | Zambia |
Dabuo Jacob Ngmenlanaa | University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale. | Ghana |
Karim Arif Karim | Kamuzu University of Health Sciences | Malawi |
Namakau Chipoya | Copperbelt University School of Medicine | Zambia |
Benithe Himbazwa | University of Global Health Equity | Rwanda |
David Medad Nichanor Odhiambo | Busitema University | Uganda |
Odile Iragena | University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) | Rwanda |
Oladipo Favour Anuoluwapo | University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Ondo State. | Nigeria |
Osisiye Iyela | University of Medical Sciences Ondo, Ondo State. | Nigeria |
Ebine Favour Oluwadamilola | University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Ondo State. | Nigeria |
Aina OLUWAJOBA Oladele | University of Medical Scienc vuv es, Ondo, Ondo State. | Nigeria |
Kaddy Merveille INEZA | University of Burundi | Burundi |
OLUDOJU OLAMIDE OSAODUWA | University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Ondo State. | Nigeria |
ZAINAB OSAMA ELNOUR ELSHARIF | University of Al-Butana | Sudan |
Aguigwe Godwin Obinna | University of Abuja Nigeria. | Nigeria |
Rudo Masendeke | Kamuzu University of Health Sciences | Malawi |
Faith Agan | Aga Khan University, Nairobi. | Kenya |
Olajumoke Akinyemi | University of the Gambia | The Gambia |
Isatou John | University of the Gambia | The Gambia |
Haddy Cham | University of the Gambia | The Gambia |
Grace Chika Muga | University of Nairobi | Kenya |
Oumie Faal | University of the Gambia | The Gambia |
Abdi Kevin NGENDAKURIYO | University of Burundi | Burundi |