Aderombi Adetayo, Ezeagu Chukwuebuka and Ohwo Victor Ufuoma, medical students in their 6th and 5th years of study at the Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, coordinated a Certificate Course in Global Health in their university; the first of its kind in Eastern Europe.

According to a statement by Chukwuebuka, the course introduces theories and concepts including current trends, issues, challenges and debates in global health. It intends on providing a critical understanding of determinants that shape the current global health situation. It was a 2-day course that held on 8th and 9th February 2016 and was attended by Nigerian medical students from several medical institutions all over Ukraine.

The course was directed by Dr. Don Eliseo LuceroPrisno PhD an associate professor of the Xian Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China. Dr. Don introduced foreign medical students to Global health, Global health epidemiology, equity, tools and approaches to solving Global health challenges. Also, student speakers, Agboola Adedamola, Ifeanyi Eya and Ohwo Victor delivered explanatory lectures on the Outbreaks of Zika Virus and Lassa Fever in Africa, and the Economic, Social and Environmental determinants of Health.

The course, which has previously been held at several medical universities all over Africa and Asia, was targeted at the bulk of Nigerian Students currently studying medicine in Ukraine, to tilt their mindset to the direction of health development back home. The course coordinators noticed the absence of this course in any Nigerian medical University and decided to organize one for future Nigerian doctors currently being trained in Ukraine.

The course, which was attended by over 100 foreign medical students and native Ukrainian doctors, was concluded with a 2-hr inspiring lecture on ‘Building a Career in Global Health’ where several attendees were given step-by-step procedural training on how to be impactful global health specialists in their community.