GHIDA - The Global Health Institute Düsseldorf-Arsi
The Global Health Institute Düsseldorf–Arsi (GHIDA) is a joint initiative between the University Hospital Düsseldorf (Germany) and Arsi University (Ethiopia), located on the campus of the College of Health Sciences in Asella. Building on more than a decade of successful collaboration through the Hirsch Institute for Tropical Medicine (HITM), established in 2013, GHIDA provides an integrated platform for high-quality research, clinical training, academic exchange, and sustainable capacity development.
Founded in January 2026, GHIDA serves as a hub for interdisciplinary Global Health research that combines scientific excellence with local relevance. By bringing together clinicians, scientists, public health experts, and academic partners from Ethiopia, Germany, and beyond, the institute addresses major health challenges while strengthening research capacity and improving patient care.
Through equitable partnerships, shared expertise, and locally led research, GHIDA aims to generate evidence that informs clinical practice, supports health policy, and contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We actively welcome collaborations with academic institutions, healthcare providers, non-governmental organizations, industry partners, and funding agencies committed to advancing Global Health.
Our logo features the wings of a stork, bridging Europe and Africa. Just as a bird requires two wings to take flight, the two sides represent our equal partnership between Düsseldorf and Arsi. It embodies our core research belief: meaningful scientific breakthroughs and sustainable global health solutions can only be achieved together as a complete whole.
Research anchored in regional clinical needs
The GHIDA research programme is driven by healthcare priorities while addressing challenges of global significance. Our close integration into Arsi University, the Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital and the surrounding communities enables translational research with direct clinical impact. Together, we have established a strong network of partner institutions in Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
Key research priorities include:
The available infrastructure also serves clinical and public health needs, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the institute demonstrated its regional leadership by serving as a central, important hub for molecular diagnostics and capacity building. Beyond providing PCR diagnostics, it coordinated collaborative research projects and established infrastructure that continues to strengthen regional preparedness for future infectious disease threats. The diagnostic capacity is also available to patients of the Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital (ARTH).
Bidirectional Training and Knowledge Exchange
GHIDA is founded on the principle that sustainable Global Health partnerships require reciprocal learning and shared expertise. We promote bidirectional exchange that benefits institutions, researchers, clinicians, and ultimately patients in both Ethiopia and Germany. German physicians undertake structured rotations in Asella, gaining hands-on experience with regionally prevalent infectious diseases while contributing to clinical care, teaching, and diagnostic training as part of their tropical medicine training. In parallel, Ethiopian students, clinicians, and researchers receive on-site mentorship and advanced training opportunities, including access to international Master’s and PhD programs through global academic partnerships.
This reciprocal exchange strengthens scientific excellence, develops future leaders in Global Health, and creates lasting professional networks that extend well beyond individual projects.
Strong Partnerships for Sustainable Impact
GHIDA works in close partnership with Arsi University and Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital (ARTH), the primary referral center serving nearly four million people. Together, these institutions form the backbone of the institute’s mission to strengthen clinical care, advance academic training and support regional health system development. Through joint research, training and capacity-building activities, GHIDA fosters sustainable, long-term collaboration between Ethiopia and Germany. GHIDA collaborates with partners and research networks across sub-Saharan Africa and beyond and is open to developing new projects and establishing new collaborations.