Ethiopia

 
Three clinicians stand next to telehealth device in Ethiopia. Two men on left, woman on right. A physician can be seen on the device screen.

Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital, Bahir Dar

Program focus: Peer-to-peer training, clinical consults

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 had no access to a neurologist and patients with neurological disorders are still often misdiagnosed as a result.

WTI has partnered with Dr. Gebreyohanns, an Ethiopian neurologist at the University of Texas Southwestern, to bring neurology care to Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Dr. Gebreyohanns and his colleagues provide training, mentoring, and neurology expertise via telehealth to Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital in Bahir Dar. The program builds 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.