Rheumatology for All

In 2019 rfa started a visiting professor in ethiopia. Two volunteer rheumatologists provided one month block of intense Rheumatology training for five to six medical residents in ethiopia. Rfa successfully sponsored two ethiopian physicians for a fellowship in Rheumatology in durban, south africa. They completed the fellowship and returned to ethiopia in 2021. They are fulfilling our mandate to teach local physicians and provide Rheumatology care. Already, they are seeing up to 150 patients a week in Rheumatology clinic where they supervise medical residents. They are in the planning stages now for starting a Rheumatology fellowship training program in ethiopia. Rfa sponsored an ethiopian pediatrician for training in pediatric Rheumatology in capetown, south africa from jan 2023 until december 2023. She has returned to ethiopia is the first and only pediatric rheumatologist in ethiopia.

In the spring of 2023 three adult rheumatologists and one pediatric rheumatologist did in person Rheumatology training for one week in kigali, rwanda. As a result of this program, rfa now has a virtual case of the month meeting with the medical residents of kigali.

Beginning in the spring of 2020 rfa provided a sixteen-week virtual visiting professor program for the medical residents of university of rwanda. This has continued yearly and is planned for the fifth time starting january 2025. The course lasts for three months. Over time, rfa has invited more speakers from africa in addition to speakers from western countries. The virtual Rheumatology course will be delivered again starting january 2025.