We are delighted to announce that, in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh (USA) School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Gorongosa National Park recently held an important training course in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from November 13 to 20, 2025. This initiative is part of SPARK, a growing effort to strengthen community health through collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences team, the Mozambican Ministry of Health, and the Gorongosa Restoration Project. The training was led by Thomas E. Platt, Professor, Chair, and Vice Dean for Academic Partnerships, and Sheldon Williams, Assistant Professor and Vice Chair.
The meeting brought together a diverse group of people from various sectors of the Park, including health, communications, science, and conservation, to achieve the following main objectives:
– Demonstrate the practical focus of the course, equipping participants with the skills necessary to manage common emergencies, such as trauma, medical illnesses, childbirth complications, and injuries, so that the audience can understand the real-world impact.
– Gain a deeper understanding of current emergency response resources, community customs, and local systems in Gorongosa to ensure that future EMS development is culturally grounded, realistic, and aligned with how communities already function.
– Introduce the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) pilot course as a first step toward strengthening local emergency response capacity and building a foundation for a broader EMS system.
– Showcase the involvement of local participants, demonstrating that the training is empowering Mozambicans to care for their own communities and strengthening the local workforce.
– Emphasize the long-term goal of creating a sustainable and culturally grounded EMS system that improves response times, community safety, and survival rates in emergencies.
This Emergency Medical System training is crucial to improving Gorongosa National Park’s emergency response capabilities. By equipping Park teams with essential medical skills, they will be better prepared to handle urgent situations and provide timely care to those in need. Collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh (USA) and local health authorities ensures a comprehensive approach to emergency medical services, which will ultimately benefit both Park staff and surrounding communities. In addition, the knowledge gained will serve as a basis for future expansion of EMS training, workforce development, and system design.
Text/photos – Samo Joseffa Samo
Text/photos – Samo Joseffa Samo