It is with deep sadness that the CIH^LMU family announces the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend, Eshetu Girma Kidane. Eshetu was one of the first CIH PhD graduates, the closest friend of Prof. Markos Tesfaye, and remained closely connected to CIH throughout the years, most recently through our project addressing stigma around mental health in schools in Addis Ababa.

Before joining the African Population and Health Research Center in Nairobi, he served as an Assistant Professor at Jimma University. He later became an Associate Professor of Health Promotion and Behavioral Health Sciences at the School of Public Health at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. In 2020, he joined us as a Visiting Fellow at the invitation of Prof. Matthias Siebeck within the Center for Advanced Studies (CAS) Research Focus “Global Health.” Over the course of his career, he published more than 70 articles in international and local peer-reviewed journals. Eshetu received the Ethiopian Public Health Association’s (EPHA) “Young Public Health Researcher Award” in 2011 and was awarded the DGPPN (German Association for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics) Anti-Stigma Prize in 2012.

Eshetu led the CIH One Health Network Funds project “Mobile Mental Health App” in 2021/2022, which aimed to improve access to mental health services and appropriate care for children and adolescents in Addis Ababa. He was a dedicated lecturer in CIH’s Global Mental Health advanced module, a supervisor in our PhD program, and an active member of our alumni community, participating in numerous CIH networking meetings over many years.

We will always remember Eshetu for his kind spirit, warm smile, and unwavering commitment to improving mental health and public health in his community.

Our deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.

Eshetu, true friend and brilliant mind, you will always remain with us, and we will carry your vision forward.

On behalf of the whole CIH family,

Sandra and Andrea