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The Ethiopian Prosthetic and Orthotic Service (EPOS), St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC), and the International Rehabilitation Forum (IRF) have signed MoU

Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding Signed to Strengthen Rehabilitation Medicine Capacity in Ethiopia Addis Ababa, Pagume 4, 2018 E.C. The Ethiopian Prosthetic and Orthotic Service (EPOS), St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC), and the International Rehabilitation Forum (IRF) have signed a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening rehabilitation medicine capacity in Ethiopia, enhancing human resource capacity, and establishing a sustainable rehabilitation service system. The MoU, signed under the theme “To Strengthen Rehabilitation Medicine Capacity,” is designed to promote human resource development and establish structured collaboration in professional training and development. It also seeks to strengthen technical, academic, clinical, and professional cooperation among the three institutions and contribute to the development of a sustainable, locally rooted rehabilitation service system in Ethiopia. The agreement recognizes that the demand for rehabilitation services in Ethiopia is increasing due to communicable and non-communicable diseases, mental health conditions, and injuries resulting from both natural and human-made causes. In response to this growing national need, strengthening rehabilitation medicine and services, building the capacity of the rehabilitation workforce, and improving the practical competencies of professionals have become increasingly important. Accordingly, the collaboration among EPOS, SPHMMC, and IRF represents an important step toward responding to Ethiopia’s growing rehabilitation needs by connecting the country’s rehabilitation medicine capacity with international knowledge, expertise, and experience Key Areas of the Tripartite Agreement The major objectives and areas of focus of the MoU include: Strengthening rehabilitation medicine capacity in Ethiopia; Establishing sustainable systems for training, mentorship, and professional support; Strengthening the IRF Fellowship Program in Ethiopia; Facilitating the exchange of international professional and technical knowledge and experience through the engagement of experts in rehabilitation service organization and clinical practice; Strengthening academic, clinical, and institutional capacity-building initiatives; and Promoting structured collaboration in human resource development and professional development within the rehabilitation sector. For EPOS, the tripartite partnership represents more than the signing of an agreement. It provides a strategic foundation for building capacity today to establish a sustainable rehabilitation system for tomorrow. By bringing international knowledge and experience into Ethiopia and strengthening local expertise and institutions, the partnership is expected to contribute to sustainable capacity development while reducing the institutional and national burden associated with relying extensively on the continuous deployment of foreign professionals. In this way, the collaboration will help strengthen Ethiopia’s rehabilitation medicine system on a sustainable basis. The MoU will remain in effect for 36 months from the date of signing. Its activities will be implemented progressively based on the mutual agreement and collaborative arrangements of the three institutions.