Changing the Face of Psychiatry: Building Capacity in South Africa

WASHINGTON (March 1, 2009) ― The George Washington University (GWU) Africa Center for Health and Human Security and The George Washington University Department of Psychiatry recently hosted their first faculty exchange program with the objective of addressing the “brain drain” in psychiatry in South Africa. The brain drain, or movement of highly skilled physicians, has benefited the United States and other developed countries, but is having detrimental impacts on low-income countries.

During his visit to South Africa in 2007, Jeffrey S. Akman, MD the Leon M. Yochelson Professor & Chair of the GWU Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, met with Dr. Robin Emsley, head of the psychiatry department at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town. Dr. Emsley presented Dr. Akman with a unique opportunity—the chance to host a young, talented physician in order to help build capacity in psychiatry in South Africa. Sixteen months later, Dr. Bonginkosi Chiliza, a faculty member from the Stellenbosch University, began his two month observership at GWU and the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) in order to help improve the clinical training, treatment and research at Stellenbosch University’s psychiatric hospital.

GWU and Stellenbosch University are aware of the massive brain-drain of skilled African health professionals. “The idea behind Dr. Chiliza’s faculty exchange was that he would go back to Stellenbosch University, take what he learned in the United States, and be able to continue to grow his skills and train other psychiatrists,” explained Dr. Akman. Another goal was for Dr. Chiliza to share his knowledge and experiences in South Africa with GWU faculty, medical students, psychiatry residents, and researchers at NIMH. Dr. Chiliza also benefitted the community by participating in rounds with the GWU hospital-based Psychiatry Consultation Team, on the GWUH inpatient psychiatry unit, and at the department’s weekly grand rounds series.

Although this was Dr. Chiliza’s third visit to the United States, it was his first time participating in a faculty exchange. Through his experience, Dr. Chiliza said that he gained valuable exposure to groundbreaking research in schizophrenia. Dr. Chiliza hopes that by staying in academia he will be able to change the face of psychiatry in South Africa. “I hope that when young medical students see me, a black psychiatrist, teaching them and doing work in this field, that they will see psychiatry as an option for them as well.”

The Africa Center offers multiple opportunities for students, faculty, and donors to get involved with the Africa Center’s events and programs. For upcoming opportunities please contact the Africa Center at gwafricacenter@gwumc.edu.