Medical Education Partnership Initiative ( Mepi ) - 953 Words

There have recently been many advances in the health sector in Sub-Saharan Africa in an attempt to reduce the infant mortality rate, HIV/AIDS prevalence, and the effect of many preventable and curable infectious diseases. The Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) that started five years ago in 2010 was funded by The National Institutes of Health and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief to enhance the laboratory skills, to provide internet access, and to increase the enrollment rate for medical professional students in Africa. Many of Africa’s health issues and death rates are a direct result of a shortage of medical professionals, as well as a lack of adequate health facilities, particularly in the rural areas. Africa†¦show more content†¦This system allows students to access 4000 electronic images. This method was introduced to replace the optical microscopy and proves to be more cost-effective and accessible. Finally, an online Masterâ⠂¬â„¢s program was established in South Africa to attract more students to the Pharmacy field, since pharmacists are scarce in the country. The program is predicted to be more flexible and more accessible. (African medical education is being transformed by US program, journal articles report. (2014, July 30). Retrieved October 12, 2015.) Africans have been integral in the advances that have taken place related to the control and treatment of HIV/AIDS. 13 years ago, Rwanda was listed among the top 10 countries in Africa suffering from HIV/AIDS. However, articles about the significant advances in the field have been published in the Global Aids Response Report (2014) by the Republic of Rwanda Ministry of Health. Prior to this report, advances were also reported in 2011 based on the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) support in Rwanda. The PEPFAR grant totalled 394.4 million dollars and was to fund the program between the years 2009-2011.The PEPFAR’s support helped Rwanda to provide 61,900 individuals with anti-retroviral treatment. Additionally, there were 225,600 HIV diagnosed individuals receiving other care and support. Over one million persons were able to receive testing and counseling, from the HIV Testing and Counseling Services (HTCs).