Leadership Development Program (LDP) Council holds its first Consultative Meeting

(Saturday 26, 2022, Bahir Dar): Bahir Dar University College of Medicine and Health Sciences Leadership Development Program (LDP) Council held today its first consultative meeting at Tibebe Ghion campus to officially launch the program, and discuss the LDP directive and the council's role in relation to the college’s 10-year strategic plan.

The goal of the LDP is to nurture the leadership capacity of intelligent, passionate and talented staff in the health sector who translate vision into strategic action to realize excellence in the college and beyond. It is particularly aimed at developing agile leaders that can effectively respond to current realities and evolving needs of the CMHS and the health sectors at large.

The members of the council who took part in today’s consultative meeting are Dr. Gashu Kindu, Deputy Head, Amhara Regional Health Bureau, Mr. Mihiretie Wale, Vice Head of Amhara Regional State Leadership Academy, Mr. Belay Bezabih, General Director, Amhara Public Health Institute, Mr. Assegid Samuel, Director, Human Resources for Health Development Directorate, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Yekoyesew Worku, Team Lead-Health Systems and Resilience, USAID, Dr. Tegbar Yigzaw, President, Ethiopian Medical Association, Dr. Helina Worku, Deputy Director, Health Office U.S. Agency for International Development, Dr. Firehiwot Nigatu, CEO, International Institute for Primary Health Care Ethiopia and Dr Nebiyi Shitaye, Quality Assurance and Institutional Transformation Director of the CMHS. Mr. Fantu Abebe from Jhpiego Ethiopia attended the meeting as an invited guest.

The meeting started with a welcome speech by Prof. Yeshigeta Gelaw, Chief Executive Director of the college. Following that, the professor presented the brief historical background (growth and development) of the college since its establishment in 2007 and the college’s 10-year strategic plan to the council.

In his presentation, the professor underscored the significance of well-trained leaders that can put the plan into strategic action.Metaphorically, he stated that having a greatly designed trailblazing plane per se cannot be a guarantee for successful flight. The pilot, copilot, flight attendants and all the flight crew should be skilled for successful outcome. They should contribute their part to take off, fly, and land the plane safely. The flight’s success is dependent on the concerted efforts and teamwork of the flight crew besides the weather. Similarly, he underlined that preparing a workable plan is one thing; translating that well-thought-out plan into action is another thing which needs great leaders. Hence, the LDP’s function is to produce such outstanding leaders that could be able to bring change by implementing the college’s 10-year strategic plan.

Dr. Yeshambel Agumas, Director of the LDP, made a presentation on the LDP’s directive. The participants thoroughly discussed on the directive and forwarded their reflections on the scope of the LDP, the peculiarities of the curricula, teaching methods, selection of potential trainees, networking at national and international level, pool of trainers, e-learning, interactive webpage and deliverables of the LDP.

The council is supposed to provide advice and guide on varied strategic issues while serving as the ambassador to LDP for resource generation, strategic communication and partnership, and other activities.

The council will hold its 2nd meeting in weeks time to finalize the roadmap of the LDP.