College of Medicine and Health Science

The College was established in October 2012 in response to national health policy demands and the long-term development plans of the government. The first cohort comprised 142 undergraduate students in Nursing, Public Health, Midwifery, and Medicine. In 2014, the departments of Pharmacy and Psychiatry were added to meet the growing need for trained healthcare personnel.in

Currently, CMHS has 1049 regular program students and 52 Post-graduate students across 10 fields of study, with 41.2% female students, reflecting the College’s commitment to inclusivity and gender balance in healthcare education.

Mission

The College of Medicine and Health Sciences is committed to producing competent and compassionate health professionals through quality education, problem-based research, and relevant community services to address the gaps in societal health needs. As a referral and specialized service center, the college is dedicated to offering accessible, efficient, and compassionate care to patients through advanced diagnostics, specialized treatment, and multidisciplinary expertise.

Through the integration of education, research, and service, the college aims to strengthen the health system, improve population health outcomes, and contribute to the sustainable development of the region and the nation at large.

Vision

To become one of the leading health institutions in education, healthcare service provision, and research by 2030.

To deliver advanced and specialized healthcare, train the next generation of health professionals, and conduct relevant research that addresses regional and national health priorities

Our Work

The College of Medicine and Health Sciences is actively advancing both education and community health services. A new comprehensive referral teaching hospital is under construction at Nihibi near the Miwtsae Werki campus. Currently, we have Adigrat General Hospital transformed into Adigrat Comprehensive Specialized Hospital to serves as the teaching and referral hospital, where academic staff also provide clinical services in an integrated new structure of teaching and referral hospitals.

CMHS has established an in-service training center to strengthen the health system of the country, particularly the Tigray region, by offering high-quality professional training. Community service forms one of the three pillars of the college’s mission. Through this, CMHS not only provides training but also supports nearby health facilities by engaging instructors, providing medical equipment, and delivering outreach health services. Through targeted programs like TTP and CBTP, the College has reached approximately 50,000 households across Agulae, Freweyni, Hawzen, Edaga Hamus, Adigrat town, and Fatsi.

In addition, the Collegea hub of a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Center to provide capacity-building training for health professionals. Research activities are actively undertaken across various departments, contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge and regional health solutions.

With an increasing yearly enrollment capacity, CMHS has diversified its academic offerings. In 2016, the School of Medicine was officially recognized as a full-fledged School by Adigrat University’s Administrative Board. Currently, the College offers nine undergraduate programs and two postgraduate programs. The college currently has an administrative and integrated academic and clinical structure as approved by respective federal bodies.

Academic Structure which also integrates clinical services has the following components

School of Medicine

1. Department of Internal Medicine
2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
3. Department of Pediatrics and Child Health
4. Department of General Surgery
5. Department of Biomedical Science
6. Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery
7. Department of Dermatology and Venereology
8. Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery
9. Department of Ophthalmology
10. Department of Radiology
11. Department of Pathology
12. Department of Neurosurgery
13. Department of Anesthesia
14. Department of Psychiatry

Department of Pharmacy

Department of Medical Laboratory Science

Department of Public Health

School of Nursing and Midwifery

1. Department of Comprehensive Nursing
2. Department of Pediatric Nursing
3. Department of Surgical Nursing
4. Department of Midwifery
5. Department of Psychiatry nursing

Department of Human Nutrition and Health Systems

Department of Reproductive and Family Health

Our core values

1. Excellence – We strive for the highest standards in teaching, research, and service, fostering continuous improvement and innovation in all we do.
2. Integrity – We uphold honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct as the foundation of our academic and professional community.
3. Respect – We value diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect, creating a supportive environment where every individual is treated with dignity.
4. Accountability – We take responsibility for our actions, decisions, and performance, ensuring trust and credibility in all institutional endeavors.
5. Collaboration – We promote teamwork and partnerships across disciplines, institutions, and communities to advance shared goals and societal progress.
6. Innovation – We encourage creativity, critical thinking, and the pursuit of new ideas that drive educational and societal transformation.
7. Service – We are committed to using knowledge and skills to serve our community, nation, and humanity with compassion and purpose.
8. Lifelong Learning – We nurture curiosity and a commitment to continuous personal and professional development among students, staff, and faculty.

Services we provide

Clinical Services

Adigrat University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital delivers a wide range of high-quality medical and surgical services designed to meet the health needs of the community and the wider region. Our major clinical services include:

• Outpatient and Emergency Services – Comprehensive outpatient clinics and 24-hour emergency care for timely diagnosis and treatment.
• Inpatient Services – Well-equipped wards providing quality medical, surgical, pediatric, obstetric, and gynecologic care.
• Specialized Clinics –dermatology, psychiatry, ophthalmology, ENT, orthopedics, dental, and other subspecialties.
• Maternal and Child Health Services – Antenatal, delivery, postnatal, neonatal, and pediatric care focused on reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality.
• Diagnostic and Laboratory Services – Advanced laboratory, imaging (X-ray, ultrasound,), and pathology services supporting accurate diagnosis and patient monitoring.
• Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care – Safe, effective, and rational medication management.
• Surgical and Anesthetic Services – Major and minor operations supported by skilled anesthetists and peri-operative teams.
• Public and Community Health Programs – Preventive and promotive health services, outreach campaigns, and health education initiatives.

2. Academic and Training Services

As a teaching and research hospital under Adigrat University, we provide an integrated academic environment that bridges theory with practice. Our academic services include:

• Undergraduate and Postgraduate Teaching – Clinical training and mentorship for students in medicine, nursing, midwifery, pharmacy, laboratory sciences, and other health programs.
• Clinical Attachment and Internship Programs – Hands-on practical learning for students to develop competence, professionalism, and ethical practice.
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) – Short courses, seminars, and workshops to enhance the skills of health professionals.
• Research and Innovation – Support for collaborative research addressing public health challenges, disease patterns, and health system improvement.
• Community Engagement and Outreach – Training programs and community-based health initiatives aimed at improving local health outcomes.

Partnerships

Includes, but not exclusive, the following

1. Government and Public Institutions

• Ministry of Health (MoH)
• Tigray Regional Health Bureau.
• Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) – for quality assurance, regulation, and clinical trial oversight.
• Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) – for pandemic preparedness and outbreak response initiatives.

2. Local and National Health Facilities

• Regional and Zonal Hospitals – for referral linkages and specialized care collaboration.
• Primary Health Centers and Clinics – for community-based health outreach, training, and supervision.
• Professional Associations – such as the Tigray Medical Association and Tigray Health Professionals Association, for professional development and standards.

3. Academic and Research Institutions

• National Universities and Health Science Colleges – for joint research, academic exchange, and curriculum development.
• International Universities and Research Centers – for collaborative studies, postgraduate training, and capacity building.

4. Development Partners and NGOs

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
• CDC
• Jhpiego
  These organizations can support capacity building, health system strengthening, research, and community health initiatives.

5. Private and Community Stakeholders

• Private Health Facilities– for service collaboration and referral networks.
• Pharmaceutical Companies and Suppliers – for medical supplies, research sponsorships, and training programs.
• Civic Society Organizations – for outreach, awareness, and health promotion.

Certified membership

Our college is proud to be a certified member of the following regional associations and aims to reach far beyond

1. COMSA (Consortium of Medical Schools in Africa)

• COMSA is a collaborative network that brings together medical schools across Africa to strengthen medical education, research, and health service delivery on the continent.
  Its mission is to promote excellence in medical education and health workforce development through sharing best practices, harmonizing curricula, and fostering collaboration among African institutions.

2. CONSAMS (Consortium of New Sub-Saharan African Medical Schools)

• CONSAMS is an international consortium founded to support new and emerging medical schools in Sub-Saharan Africa. It fosters collaboration between African institutions and established global partners. Its mission is to enhance medical education, research, and health systems strengthening by sharing knowledge, resources, and mentorship opportunities.