Gonder Celebrates its 50th Anniversary

Although there was an overwhelming anticipation and a crucial need for the birth of Gonder Public Health College and Training Center, her conception was uneventful (just a mild morning sickness when the Ethiopian government, WHO, UNICEF and USAID Point Four then, were sorting out how to put resources together and where to have her born). In the early 1950's, a host of infectious diseases led by malaria in the lowlands had a chocking grip over many of Ethiopia's provinces. The effect was even more devastating to Begemidir and Simien (Gonder province at the time). The founders did not have to sweat it then as there were more justifiable reasons than one for choosing Gonder as the birth site. Thus, the first public health personnel training institution of her kind in the country was delivered in 1954 in Gonder with a modest fanfare by some, but a hearty and resounding approval by the people of Gonder. It was named Gonder Public Health College and Training Center.

Read the complete essay by Dr. Kinfe Gebeyehu