Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been implementing medical assistance programs in Ethiopia since 1994, including the rehabilitation of health structures and the supply of drugs and medical equipment. In 1995, the serious shortage of surgeons in Ethiopia prompted MSF to add a programme to train general practitioners to perform surgery in the Woldya region. The results of the relevant feasibility study were encouraging. The programme's design is based on recent educational data and MSF's experience with introducing transcultural training in countries where unstable conditions prevail. The training programme is currently being studied by the Ethiopian Health Ministry for use as a model for training general practitioners in surgery throughout the country.