The journey of Doctors with Africa CUAMM began in Padua in 1950, with the founding of the University College for Aspirant and Missionary Doctors. From the very beginning, the goal has been to train doctors and healthcare professionals ready to put their skills at the service of African populations, working in close partnership with local communities.

Between 1954 and 1960, the first 54 doctors—48 men and 6 women—departed for Africa, mainly to countries still under colonial rule, to work in mission hospitals alongside local communities.

The first was Professor Anacleto Dal Lago, who in 1955 worked at the mission hospital in Nkubu, Kenya. After him, thousands of professionals would follow the same path, bringing expertise and solidarity to many parts of the African continent.

1968 marked a decisive moment: during the Nyeri conference in Kenya, CUAMM doctors called for the integration of mission-based facilities with public health systems and for coordination with African governments’ health plans.

This was a crucial step to ensure access to healthcare for the poorest populations: hospital care was complemented by prevention and primary care, laying the foundations for a new model of health cooperation based on partnership, training, and the strengthening of local health systems.

In the 1970s, direct collaboration with African governments began, along with the opening of nursing schools and the first university partnerships. During this period, CUAMM embraced the vision of health as a universal right, in line with the Alma-Ata Declaration.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the organisation consolidated its presence in African countries and strengthened the training of local healthcare workers, placing continuity and sustainability at the core of its work.

In 2002, the name Doctors with Africa CUAMM was officially adopted, highlighting a relationship of shared responsibility and partnership that goes beyond any form of aid-based approach: “with” Africa, not “for” Africa.

Key programmes were launched, such as the Yirol programme in South Sudan (2006), while strong emphasis continued to be placed on training local human resources.

Since then, our commitment has continued alongside African professionals and communities to build stronger, more equitable, and more accessible health systems for all.

A journey that continues every day, in Africa and with Africa.