SS11-02 CURRENT STATUS AND CHALLENGES OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE EDUCATION IN AFRICA

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The paucity of occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) physicians in Africa may likely be related to the lack of training opportunities. There is a need to assess the current status of OEM education in Africa. Methods We conducted an internet search for OEM residency and postgraduate programmes in Africa. We contacted international OEM organizations to supply names and contacts of African OEM physicians on their membership lists. Personal contact was also utilized. Personal contact with snowballing will continue at the ICOH2024 Congress to obtain more information from attendees. Results Internet links to OEM residency programmes were found for Egypt and South Africa. Information on OEM residency in Nigeria and Ghana was provided by personal contact. South Africa, Tunisia, Benin Republic, Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria offer Masters programmes in occupational health. Discussion OEM residency programmes in Egypt and South Africa are well established. New national OEM residency programmes were recently developed in Ghana and Nigeria. Most occupational physicians in Africa trained in Europe, USA and South Africa. The cost of training in these countries is prohibitive as currencies in several African countries have been devalued. African physicians need training in OEM to increase the health workforce required to address the high rates of occupational accidents and diseases in formal and informal workplaces across the continent. Conclusion There is a need for African countries to develop OEM residency programmes and new methods of training - virtual or hybrid - to meet the needs for certification and re-certification of OEM physicians across Africa.