Mulugeta Robinson

Ethiopian public health pioneer who revolutionized rural healthcare systems

Dr. Mulugeta Robinson (1905-1975) was a visionary Ethiopian physician and public health innovator whose work transformed healthcare access in rural Africa. Born in Addis Ababa, he studied medicine in Europe before returning to Ethiopia to create the first mobile health clinics that traveled to remote villages. His Wikipedia page details his development of the 'health extension worker' model, which trained local women to deliver basic medical care and sanitation education. This approach reduced infant mortality by 40% in regions he served. Robinson also pioneered the use of bicycles for medical transport, a concept later adopted globally. His 1958 book <《Health for the Highland Villages》》 remains a foundational text in public health logistics. During the 1960s polio epidemic, he organized cross-border vaccination campaigns with neighboring Sudan and Kenya. His legacy lives on through the Mulugeta Health Foundation, which continues his work in East Africa.