Ethiopian Neurologist gives back to his home country

Dr. Mehari Gebreyohanns’ Story:

Dr. Mehari Gebreyohanns grew up in Ethiopia with his parents and four siblings. Ethiopia is located in Eastern Africa, with the second largest population of any African country. At the age of 19, Dr. Gebreyohanns was forced to flee Ethiopia and leave his family behind due to a military regime terrorizing the country. He came to the United States, where he followed his dream of becoming a neurologist. When he was finally able to see his family again many years later, his father had tragically developed Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s is a neurological condition that results in challenges with bodily movement, and when left untreated, can lead to a deterioration of all brain functions (Mayo Clinic). Without access to the medications and treatment he needed in Ethiopia, his father’s condition worsened quickly. Ethiopia is ranked #4 on the list of countries with the fewest physicians available - just 22 physicians for every 1 million people (World Atlas). After watching his father suffer from Parkinson’s, Dr. Gebreyohanns was inspired to help others in Ethiopia through his work as a neurologist.

There was no word for ‘stroke’ in Ethiopia’s official language, so Dr. Gebreyohanns created one - ‘ye-angol tikat’.

World Telehealth Initiative’s (WTI) Program in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia:

One of WTI’s programs in Ethiopia is located in Bahir Dar, which is the capital of the Amhara Region. The Amhara people are primarily agriculturists who live in rural areas. Ethiopia has a rich culture with over 80 different ethnic groups, that each have their own distinct cultural practices and language (CulturalAtlas). Unfortunately, specialized health services are not readily available to many people in Ethiopia. In fact, the community of Bahir Dar has no access to a neurologist and patients with neurological disorders are often misdiagnosed as a result.

Dr. Gebreyohanns (second from left) in Ethiopia alongside colleagues from Bahir Dar and the University of Texas Southwestern.

WTI has partnered with Dr. Gebreyohanns to bring neurology care to Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Dr. Gebreyohanns and his colleagues will provide training, mentoring, and neurology expertise via telehealth to Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital in Bahir Dar. The program will build the skills of local physicians so they can diagnose and treat patients with neurological disorders. People in Bahir Dar with conditions like Parkinson’s, epilepsy and stroke will have access to the vital health services they have gone without for so long.