History of Effort
In March 2010, the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) announced MEPI, designed to help strengthen medical education in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ambassador Eric Goosby, the head of PEPFAR noted, “As we transition from an emergency response to a more sustainable approach, we are supporting partner countries in leading the response to their epidemics. Shortages of trained doctors [and nurses] are a key constraint, and we are proud to support partner nations in expanding the number and quality of clinicians available and facilitate strong faculties of medicine so they can meet their people’s needs over the long term." Ten U.S- sub-Saharan African collaborations are awarded grants. The Nursing Education Partnership Initiative (NEPI) is launched shortly after.