معرفی
Fana Asefaw is an Academic Associate and current Medical Director of the «Bridge Builders and Trauma Project» with the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI), providing culturally sensitive psychiatric and social support to refugees across Switzerland. Her work bridges clinical practice, trauma research, and migration health.
Her educational background includes:
- Human Medicine studies at Universität Witten/Herdecke (1996-2002)
- Medical Doctorate (Dr. med.) at Freie Universität Berlin (2007) focused on Female Genital Cutting, examining health/psychosexual consequences in Eritrean communities in Germany and Eritrea
- Diploma of Advanced Studies in Psychotraumatology at Universität Zürich (2018), specializing in posttraumatic disorders and therapeutic interventions
Dr. Asefaw's research centers on trauma among displaced populations, particularly Eritrean refugees in Switzerland. Her 2019 collaborative study with UZH's Psychological Institute investigated maternal-child dynamics in refugee families to optimize child development support systems. Expertise spans culturally competent trauma therapy, women's health (including FGC consequences), and public health frameworks for vulnerable migrant groups. Current work emphasizes systemic improvements in Switzerland's health infrastructure through refugee-centered care models.
As Medical Director of the Bridge Builders and Trauma Project, she leads multidisciplinary teams delivering psychiatric and social services to refugees from diverse cultural backgrounds. This initiative integrates clinical practice with community-based support, addressing complex trauma through culturally attuned methodologies while advocating for policy improvements in refugee health systems.
