Russia has embarked on a pilot social initiative in Ethiopia that involves the construction of around 2,000 health posts alongside specialist training, RT reported on Friday.

This comes as a memorandum of understanding was signed on March 20 between the Russian "Heroes" Charitable Foundation for Medical Staff Assistance, Ethiopian Bonga University, and the Russian Pan-African PPP Development Center.

The MoU focuses on providing advisory support for the training of medical personnel for Paramedical and Obstetric Centers (POCs) in Ethiopia, assisting their operations, establishing a telemedicine system, and facilitating the exchange of healthcare practices between the two countries.

As per Petros Woldegiorgis, president of Bonga University, the POCs will be owned and overseen by Ethiopia's Ministry of Labor. 

"Support of material delivery will be on the side of Public-Private Partnership Development Center and Bonga University, we are responsible for the preparation of human resources which is expected to mobilize the 2000 midwifery stations, which are going to be built in Ethiopia," Woldegiorgis said.

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Kirill Masliev, president of the "Heroes" Foundation, disclosed plans to forge medical partnerships with additional African nations. Signing the memorandum with Addis Ababa marks the initial step in this endeavor.

Underscoring the advantages of partnering with Russia in the field of medicine, Petros Woldegiorgis emphasized Ethiopia's continuous receipt of support and assistance from Russian personnel.

"It is inexpressible, to be honest. […] It is not only that they are sending doctors to Ethiopia, also they are bringing students from Ethiopia. And they are giving education a chance. The memorandum of understanding we signed today is the extension of that," he stated. 

Meanwhile, as reported by the Russian consumer rights and wellbeing agency Rospotrebnadzor, an agreement was reached last November between the two countries to collaborate on scientific research. This collaboration entails assisting Ethiopia in developing laboratories and enhancing its capacity to prepare for epidemics.

Ethiopia ascended to BRICS membership on January 1. The development was called a "diplomatic victory" by the spokesman for the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Meles Alem.

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