The use of Service-Learning in drought response by universities in Ethiopia

Abstract

Service-Learning has become a well-established educational strategy. This practice-based teaching-learning method allows students to develop relevant competencies while addressing the needs of a community. The recurrence of drought in Ethiopia necessitates a health workforce with requisite competencies in drought response. This article describes a successful Service-Learning experience and its outcomes that affected over 10 million Ethiopians. The 2006 World Health Report calls for an appropriately prepared health workforce. Universities in Ethiopia are rising to this challenge with the integration of strategies that support the education of interdisciplinary Health Teams for community deployment. Teams of Public Health Nurses, Health Officers, Environmental Health Sanitarians, and Medical Laboratory Technicians are prepared to address the health needs of the communities served. The introduction of Service-Learning as a teaching-learning strategy into the university health science curriculum in Ethiopia has demonstrated important outcomes. The drought response Service-Learning program is a successful model worthy of consideration for other universities.