Report from Wengi Yared, Project Co-ordinator, Hospice Ethiopia:
“I am thrilled to have successfully completed the Young African Leaders Initiative Regional Leadership Center East Africa (YALIRLCEA) Residential Programme. It was a privilege to have joined the very competitive programme as one of 3 Ethiopians in Cohort49. It has been an incredible journey, filled with transformative experiences and invaluable learning opportunities. Throughout the four-week programme, I had the privilege of engaging in experiential learning which equipped me with the necessary tools and knowledge to drive meaningful impact. Collaborating with a diverse group of talented peers further enriched experience. I look forward to applying my skills and knowledge gained during my training to drive positive change in my community and beyond.”
Links with the Pink House:
Sue and Jamie were invited to visit The Pink House in Addis Ababa during their visit to Ethiopia last February. It was set up 5 years ago as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which provides accommodation for female patients coming to the capital for oncological treatment (mostly breast cancer and cervical cancer) who would otherwise have nowhere to stay. The patients often have advanced disease and experience highly unpleasant symptoms. We were delighted to hear that a Memorandum of Understanding has now been established between the Pink House and Hospice Ethiopia agreeing that Hospice Ethiopia will hold a weekly clinic at the Pink House to enable their patients to receive specialist symptom management.
Training for nurses working for the Addis Adaba Health Bureau:
The Addis Ababa Health Bureau have recently organised and funded palliative care training for 120 of their staff: doctors, nurses and pharmacists, with a vision to establish the provision of palliative care at health centres in the capital. The training is being provided by Ephrem Abathun from Hospice Ethiopia, Dr Henok, Dr Habtamu and one of their own staff who received training last year from Hospice Ethiopia. It is both exciting and challenging for Hospice Ethiopia to receive increasing numbers of requests from different health organisations for palliative care training. Health care professionals are increasingly realising how their patients will benefit from this type of care and we look forward to more people receiving focused symptom management in their terminal illnesses.
Training at Dessie:
Hospice Ethiopia UK has recently helped to fund training in a new oncology department at the hospital in Dessie, in north-central Ethiopia, which ran from 17th-21st July. Overall £6000 was donated – £500 from the Paradigm Norton Trust, £500 from Aylsham Rotary, and £5,000 from the Forrester Family trust. Dr Haimanot, Executive Director of Dessie Hospital, expressed her thanks for the training that will enable her staff to improve care for their patients. A total of 29 members of staff, including doctors, nurses, and hospital management, received the training. There will be follow-up and mentoring from the Hospice Ethiopia staff.
Hospice Ethiopia UK 