Global Health Programs in Gastroenterology

The MGH Global Health Program in Gastroenterology provides the framework for partnership and engagement to advance gastroenterology care and training worldwide.  Our mission is to develop equitable partnerships that promote reciprocal, sustainable initiatives to advance clinical care, research, innovation, and medical education.

LEADERSHIP

MEMBERS

GLOBAL COLLABORATORS

Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India

University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

World Gastroenterology Organization Lagos Training Center, Nigeria

Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital, Zambia

GI Nursing Education Initiative

GI Radiology Technologist Initiative

Mentorship

1. We host a clinical observership program for medical students, trainees, nurses or gastroenterologists. Clinical rotation includes an opportunity to participate in didactics, attend lectures and observer clinical procedures. Accepted applicants are self-supported or gain grant support from national gastroenterology societies. Each observer is expected to share a report detailing their experience and how it compares to their home healthcare system.
2. Coordinate clinical electives of trainees and consultants across partner institutions.
3. Our faculty participates in a monthly work-in-progress (WIP) hosted by the Pan-African Organization for Health, Education and Research (POHER)/African Association of Future Gastroenterologists (AAFG) meeting alongside other MGH faculty. The POHER WIP is co-chaired by MGH Faculty, Dr. Seth Bloom (Infectious Diseases Consultant) and Dr. Evaristus Chukwudike (MGH GI Global Health partner)

Former MGH GI Global Health Scholars

Building Gastroenterology Centers

Our current programs are focused on training medical doctors, nurses, GI technicians and technologists.

Zambia

Zambia is a landlocked country with a population of 18 million yet no consistent advanced endoscopic services. Our team has established a working relationship with Dr. Jackson Chipaila (surgeon), Dr. Bright Nsokolo (Endoscopist), Dr. Nteeni Mutinta (Interventional radiologist) and Dr. Ekin Simwatachela to build a robust hepatopancreatobiliary cancer consortium.

Nigeria

Nigeria is one of the most populous countries in West Africa, with a population of over 200 million yet less than 500 gastroenterologists. We are working with partners at different levels:

1. University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Working with UCTH we have initiated the establishment of advanced endoscopy services in the state. This will be one of a handful of centers in the country.

   

   

   

   
   
2. World Gastroenterology Organization Training Center. We host quarterly didactic meetings and in-person endoscopy skills training programs.

   

   

   
   

Colorectal Cancer Program

The Annual CRC Program is a combined webinar and in person meeting focused on raising awareness about colorectal cancer in Africa.  The symposium highlights the magnitude of colorectal cancer epidemiology and risk factors in Africa and on opportunities for improved screening programs. In addition, there is a focus on the multidisciplinary approach to management of colorectal cancer, including initial diagnosis, staging and treatment options (e.g., medical management, surgical intervention, and palliative care). The symposium will also serve as an opportunity to develop collaborations and networking amongst participants involved in the care of African patients with colorectal cancer.

India

Dr. Ashwin Ananthkrishnan is collaborating with All India Institute on research exploring Crohn’s disease in South Asians. The research is focused on the profile the biology and clinical phenotype of Crohn’s disease in South Asians. They are intending to recruit 300 patients with Crohn’s disease (half in India / Singapore) and three hundred controls to identify if there are specific environmental or other biomarker associations in South Asian populations. They are also examining how the disease biology differs between native South Asians, and immigrants (first- and second generation) with the goal of expanding our understanding of the emergence of IBD in different regions of the world.