The Hirsch Institute for Tropical Medicine (HITM) was founded in 2013 on the campus of the College of Health Sciences in Asella, Ethiopia. As a branch of the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases at University Hospital Düsseldorf, the institute serves as a platform for international training and clinical research in infectious diseases and tropical medicine. 

A core element of its mission isbidirectional knowledge exchange, including the training of in-house medical specialists and the implementation of joint clinical and scientific projects. Key focus areas include sepsis, antimicrobial resistance and nosocomial infections, HIV (including resistance and co-infections), viral hepatitis and its sequelae, tuberculosis, malaria, relapsing fever, and parasitic diseases. Research priorities are guided by regional clinical relevance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, HITM played an important role in providing PCR diagnostics, strengthening laboratory capacity, and supporting related research activities. he institute is equally committed to strengthening the local health system through continuous training of healthcare workers in Asella, alongside exchange visits by Ethiopian colleagues to University Hospital Düsseldorf. Since its establishment, at least one physician from Düsseldorf has been continuously based in Asella as part of a structured rotation program. 

The institute also offers national and international researchers the opportunity to conduct scientific projects leading to academic degrees, functioning as both a clinical research center and a platform for academic exchange and early-career development.