Our SocietyThat positive human development and networking are interlinked may be a universal truth. One of the missions of our Society -- the Hakim Workneh & Melaku Beyan Society -- is to develop and maintain a network of Ethiopian medical practitioners residing in North America. As our network grows, we will be able to do much more collectively than any one of us are able to do alone. And together we are able to better explore avenues to effectively contribute towards improving Ethiopia's health care system and its medical institutions. The latter is our larger mission.
Currently, our society consists of old medical school classmates and teachers who have come together to advance the spirit of two pioneering Ethiopian doctors: Hakim Workneh and Melaku Beyan. Our organization had its inaugural meeting in California in July 2010, and so far we have formulated our mission statement and established a website to focus our work and inform others of our existence. As we carry our work forward, grounded in mutual respect, we hope our contributions will gain momentum and add in small ways and increments towards positive international development. Many may continue to lament the brain drain among professionals from developing countries. Although these concerns ring true, we wish to turn back some of this tide by using our growing and robust network of relationships to reverse inequality in the delivery of health care that the emigration of medical professionals has caused for our country. As medical professionals, we feel it is our duty to work in the spirit embodied by Hakim Workneh and Melaku Beyan, and that we can contribute effectively by devoting our time and resources from where we currently reside, by building a bridge to further concentrated collaboration over the coming years. Numerous members of our Society have lived in North America for a few decades, while others much less. Regardless, our work and training outside of Ethiopia are two things we share in common with Hakim Workneh and Melaku Beyan; they were also expatriates who received their medical training and held medical practices abroad. What remained common between them and among us is a deep desire to offer better treatment to a population that could use an improved medical care infrastructure. As a Society taking after the names of two pioneering Ethiopian doctors, we wish to embody their spirit as we carry our mission to improve Ethiopia's health care systems and medical institutions. Membership to the Hakim Workneh and Melaku Beyan Society is open to all medical doctors and allied health professionals with ties to Ethiopia. |
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Transfer of knowledge and technology Bahir Dar Medical School and Innovations to Build New Hospitals in Ethiopia Discussed On November 27, 2011 HWMB Society monthly meeting was held by means of teleconferencing. Majority of the society members had participated. The main topic of discussion was how to enhance support to Bahir Dar medical school. The second idea that was presented was establishment of innovative tertiary high standard hospitals in Ethiopia. Dr. Getachew Feleke presented current situations in medical education in Ethiopia with an emphasis that there is a great need for instructors in the field. He also reiterated the lack of coordination of resources. Dr.Efrem Alemayehu presented the current efforts made and progress that has been achieved in terms of identifying the needs and helping find solutions. Dr Tilahun Adera (Prof) emphasized the future trends in medical education with an emphasis on online learning which needs to be introduced in situations where there are lack of teachers. This idea was endorsed and the members have decided to explore the possibilities further. Dr. Tesfaye Fanta and Dr.Enawgaw Mehari were invited to give presentation about the idea of building high standard hospitals in Ethiopia. Dr.Tesfaye gave an elaborate presentation of proposed hospital building and the project plan. He emphasized that the majority of share holders will be physicians so that they can play decisive roles. This project is purely a private venture. Dr.Enawgaw elaborated on the idea of building state of the art hospital that is supported by public and private sectors. He emphasized that the government has to play a significant role in helping promote this venture because it brings higher center of excellence in medical services and education to the nation. For more information on Physician initiated hospital project please contact Dr Tesfaye Fanta Tel# 336 613 7683. Dr Seifu Daniel visited several medical schools in Ethiopia and gave lectures on several topics on pulmonary medicine. His visit to Ethiopia was very productive. |
Annual Meeting of HWMB Society at Virginia Marks Center Hilton on July 5, 2013
The meeting was attended by most members of the society and various issues were discussed. Dr Zergabachew Asfaw outlined the the activities of the society and missions that are in progress. The meeting also focused on how to strengthen the role of diaspora physicians and allied health workers in supporting health systems and medical education in Ethiopia. The members emphasized the need for a short term and long term strategic planning to fulfill the missions of the society. Poetry readinig was made by Abebe Haregewoin MD PHD, who is a scientist and also has an interest in arts and poetry. At the end of the session Dr Pawlos Quana'a was honored for his lifetime acheivemet in promoting medical education and improving health services in Ethiopia.
A Historical Outline of Ophthalmic Practice in Ethiopia
Not much is known of eye services in Ethiopia before the Italian occupation. After the liberation of Ethiopia from Italy, the school health services concentrating on trachoma diagnosis and treatment by copper sulphate scraping was under the care of the Italian, Dr Pace.
Ophthalmic services in Ethiopia solely depended on expatriate ophthalmologists until mid-1960's. Ophthalmologists from Cyprus, Sweden and Germany, in addition to rendering services to the public, had trained few nurses which were assisting them. Strong ties with president Tito of Yugoslavia resulted in the fact that there were some 400 nationals from Yugoslavia including Dr. Obradovic, who was at the time the prominent ophthalmologist in Ethiopia.
Dr. Paulos Quana'a, the first Ethiopian ophthalmologist from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, arrived on the scene in 1964 and joined Dr. Zagora, an ophthalmologist from Israel at Menelik II hospital. This young energetic individual soon recognized the full responsibility ahead of him of enhancing the ophthalmic services in Ethiopia. While he was doing surgery in the mornings every day, he had also to take care of the hundreds of patients waiting for him at the out-patient department in the afternoon.
It was apparent for him at that juncture, that there has to be accelerated manpower development in the ophthalmic field to overcome the often quoted ratio at international forums of "one ophthalmologist for one million populations" in Sub Saharan countries including Ethiopia. As a result, he launched a three years postgraduate program in ophthalmology in 1980. Because he was the only staff involved in training as well as surgical and medical services at that time, he felt the surgical practical experience of residents was inadequate. Thus, the residency program was made to continue as a four year program.
The eye department uninterruptedly continued to recruit young medical doctors to join the residency program, despite constraints of staff and material. To strengthen the staff, he recruited subsequent graduates whose capability and interest to teach were inviting. He collaborated with international organizations like International Eye Foundations (IEF) to obtain journals, books as well as some equipment. In additional, he was inviting expatriate nationals to teach residents through the program of UNDP TOKTEN (UNDP Transfer of Knowledge through Expatriate Nationals). He played a core role to establish the "Ophthalmological Society of Ethiopia" creating a forum of the exchange of scientific clinical research among members.
The department that was started by him alone has continued in a strengthened manner and so far 118 ophthalmologists have graduated for it. Indeed, Dr. Paulos has tirelessly served the nation and is till strong enough to continue serving as an active consultant. All of us who the products of the department he started long ago are proud of his dedication and contributions to Ethiopia. The quality and quantity of services given in Ethiopia today have rotted from his idea initiated more than 30 years ago. We give tribute to him for our successes and wish him a healthy and prosperous life.
Abebe Bejiga, MD
Associate professor of ophthalmology
Addis Ababa University
Ophthalmic services in Ethiopia solely depended on expatriate ophthalmologists until mid-1960's. Ophthalmologists from Cyprus, Sweden and Germany, in addition to rendering services to the public, had trained few nurses which were assisting them. Strong ties with president Tito of Yugoslavia resulted in the fact that there were some 400 nationals from Yugoslavia including Dr. Obradovic, who was at the time the prominent ophthalmologist in Ethiopia.
Dr. Paulos Quana'a, the first Ethiopian ophthalmologist from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, arrived on the scene in 1964 and joined Dr. Zagora, an ophthalmologist from Israel at Menelik II hospital. This young energetic individual soon recognized the full responsibility ahead of him of enhancing the ophthalmic services in Ethiopia. While he was doing surgery in the mornings every day, he had also to take care of the hundreds of patients waiting for him at the out-patient department in the afternoon.
It was apparent for him at that juncture, that there has to be accelerated manpower development in the ophthalmic field to overcome the often quoted ratio at international forums of "one ophthalmologist for one million populations" in Sub Saharan countries including Ethiopia. As a result, he launched a three years postgraduate program in ophthalmology in 1980. Because he was the only staff involved in training as well as surgical and medical services at that time, he felt the surgical practical experience of residents was inadequate. Thus, the residency program was made to continue as a four year program.
The eye department uninterruptedly continued to recruit young medical doctors to join the residency program, despite constraints of staff and material. To strengthen the staff, he recruited subsequent graduates whose capability and interest to teach were inviting. He collaborated with international organizations like International Eye Foundations (IEF) to obtain journals, books as well as some equipment. In additional, he was inviting expatriate nationals to teach residents through the program of UNDP TOKTEN (UNDP Transfer of Knowledge through Expatriate Nationals). He played a core role to establish the "Ophthalmological Society of Ethiopia" creating a forum of the exchange of scientific clinical research among members.
The department that was started by him alone has continued in a strengthened manner and so far 118 ophthalmologists have graduated for it. Indeed, Dr. Paulos has tirelessly served the nation and is till strong enough to continue serving as an active consultant. All of us who the products of the department he started long ago are proud of his dedication and contributions to Ethiopia. The quality and quantity of services given in Ethiopia today have rotted from his idea initiated more than 30 years ago. We give tribute to him for our successes and wish him a healthy and prosperous life.
Abebe Bejiga, MD
Associate professor of ophthalmology
Addis Ababa University