| Next Ethiopia Visit |
24th October 2008 Duration: 2 weeks |
| Website Redesign |
The website has now moved to a more formal content management system. |
| Emergency Surgical Skills |
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The link started following a request from Dr Aberra A Gobezie, a local surgeon and Assistant Professor of Surgery in Dilla. He wanted help with filling the gaps in skills training for the health officer students in the new Dilla College of Health Sciences in Dilla. The college lacked training resources in all areas. The trainers lacked experience and confidence in teaching emergency and essential skills. Learning only the theoretical aspect of managing emergencies is not enough for a health officer student, who on graduating would be responsible on his/her own in managing all types of emergencies for over 100,000 people in poorly resourced and remote health centres. Following a visit from Nevill Hall hospital and discussions with Dr Aberra, a programme of Emergency skills workshop was started from 2000 for the health officer students in their final year. In these skills workshop held twice a year for period of up to two weeks each, students were trained practical skills in essential and emergency skills in obstetrics, trauma, resuscitation, surgery, paediatrics and emergency medicine. Specialists from UK travelled as faculty members and worked together with the local specialists in running these workshops. Training materials including mannequins, teaching equipment and instruments were donated by the link to the college. The link also supported training of local specialists through short visits to Wales. Between 2000 and 2005 over 300 student health officers have been trained in these workshops prior to their graduation. Following donations from the link, the college of health sciences now has a skills laboratory where students can learn practical skills under the supervision of the local trainers. |
Emergency SkillsWe have trained several hundred front-line health professionals in emergency and essential surgical, trauma and resuscitation skills for use in resource-poor health centres. |
Midwifery SkillsMaternal mortality is very high in Ethiopia. We conduct bi-annual skills workshops for health officers, nurses and midwives in obstetric skills. We also provide essential equipment. |
Laboratory SkillsWe conduct training workshops for medical lab technicians as as well as provide teaching microscopes, training materials and reagents. Over 200 lab students have been trained. |
Exemplar Health CentresWe have committed to training and supporting staff at Wondo-Genet, Alaba and Yirgacheffee health centres in the long term. These will serve as beacons of quality health care in their regions. |
E-learningE-learning at the health centre level is a first in Ethiopia. We provide training as well as infrastructure. This helps us provide continuing medical education through relevant, interactive content. |
Material ResourcesOver the years we have donated oxygen concentrators, essential surgical and obstetric equipment as well as several thousand medical textbooks, teaching materials and computers. |
Maternal Mortality Ethiopia has one of the highest maternal as well as infant mortality rates in the world. |
Life Expectancy at Birth Men on average live for only 50 yrs and women for 53 yrs. In UK men and women live for 77yrs and 81yrs respectively. |