Working with professional societies: The Ethiopian Experience

Abebe Bekele, MD, FCS Consultant Surgeon: Addis Ababa university

Secretary General, Surgical Society of Ethiopia

Introduction: Why Gambella?

Regions HIV Circumcision

National figure 1.4% 93%

Gambella 6% 46%

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Source: DHS, 2005,CSA Ethiopia and ORC Macro

04/19/23 2MC report: Arusha

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Introduction: Why Gambella

Characteristics Circumcised Uncircumcised

Urban

Rural

2.4%

0.6%

10.7%

0.6%

Oromiya

SNNP

Gambella

0.3%

0.3%

2.3%

1.7%

0.7%

9.8%

Source: DHS 2005, CSA Ethiopia and ORC Macro

Gambella

04/19/23 4MC report: Arusha

SSE and MC activities

• Evolved from discussion between two friends - 2006 (from SSE and Jhpiego Ethiopia).

• SSE came on-board: October 2007, after SA conducted in Gambella and three delivery sites selected.

• Series of discussions: Resulted in an excellent relationship

• Currently, one surgeon from SSE consults for Jhpiego Ethiopia.

04/19/23 5MC report: Arusha

Achievements (SSE and Jhpiego)

• National MC program launched during the SSE 13th AGM: January 2008

• The three MC sites equipped with full MC utilities: Ongoing

• Two consultative meetings conducted: Gambella and SNNP

• MC training tools adopted and used.

04/19/23 6MC report: Arusha

Achievements (SSE and Jhpiego)

• MC teaching video about to be completed

• Huge billboards, brochures, fliers and patient information produced.

• Recording and reporting formats developed

• Country guideline developed: Under revision

• SSE sits at the national TWG

04/19/23 MC report: Arusha 7

Achievements : Campaigns

• Three already conducted, beginning October 2009– 1776 circumcised

• SSE recruits qualified surgeons, dispatches to Gambella

• MC campaigns linked to General Surgery out-reach programs

• Six campaigns planned as of July 5th.

• Campaigns are currently independent: SSE Sub-grant

04/19/23 8MC report: Arusha

Achievements: Trainings• Training package endorsed and adopted by the SSE.

• Center of excellence at the Black Lion Hospital • Surgical Skills lab and theatre available.

• Two trainings conducted: 30 Non-doctors and 5 MDs trained (task shifting)• 102 and 256 circumcised

• Local surgeons (members) as trainers.

04/19/23 9MC report: Arusha

SSE ‘metastasis’

• SSE approached by Jhpiego office.

• Three volunteer surgeons dispatched to Swaziland.

• Willing to assist upon request

04/19/23 10MC report: Arusha

Program Challenges

• Extreme weather condition: as high as 40 degrees• Interrupted electricity, very bad roads • Limited fund• Distance: Service sites far from the real needy population

• Inability to provide MC services on regular basis• High turnover of trained staffs

04/19/23 11MC report: Arusha

The way Forward

• Potential to scale-up the MC program: – More sites in Gambella– SNNPR in the next site– NDFE: SA to be done

• Mobile MC centers (can we copy mobile VCT centers?)

• SSE administered dedicated MC centers

• Bring other societies on board: Nurses……04/19/23 12MC report: Arusha

Thank You Very Much!!

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 Abebe B. 13