Training for health care in developing countries: the work of the TropicalHealth and Education Trust

The Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) was established to strengthe n medical education and training for health care in developing countries. T he Trust responds to requests from training institutions with a wide range of activities and programmes. Projects to meet specific needs are planned i n outline with the Deans or Directors of institutions, as a basis for a lon g-term link with a similar institution in the United Kingdom. These links a re now the preferred method for meeting requests to develop skills, strengt hen services and promote staff development. However, funding is always nece ssary for their support. THET has promoted students' community-based traini ng by enabling students in a team-training programme in Ethiopia to make in terventions in primary health care. A prize for the best students' communit y, clinical or laboratory projects in six African countries encourages enqu iry by the students, promotes independent learning, and relates academic wo rk to problems in health care. Work with Ministries of Health includes a co ntinuing medical education programme for rural medical officers in Uganda, courses in basic and life-saving surgery for Ethiopian health and medical o fficers, and a programme to update the skills of laboratory technologists i n rural hospitals in Ghana. The range of projects that THET supports is wid e because the needs, defined by those who are working in, and responsible f or, training in the health service are diverse.