ADDIS ABABA – The Ethio- American Doctors Group (EADG) said that it has been delivering a webinar course on coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) to medical doctors in Ethiopia in a view to enhancing experience sharing among compatriot physicians to combat the spread of the epidemic.
The course is being given in collaboration with hospitals and medical institutions with EADG physicians who are currently managing the severely ill COVID-19 patients in the U.S.
EADG Chairperson, Girma Tefera (MD), stated that the first round of the webinar includes eight sessions that started on April 3, 2020 and lasted for more than 10 days.
The training is given to physicians and health officials identified to be involved in caring for patients affected by the pandemic.
According to Dr. Girma, the course is being given by seven EADG medical doctors who live and work abroad and one local physician.
“The devastation caused by COVID- 19 has been catastrophic. As we are witnessing how High-Income countries are struggling to contain and control this pandemic, we cannot imagine the damage it will cause to low resource countries like ours.”
Noting that the EADG is encouraged by the sweeping actions that are being taken by the Ethiopian Government, the chairperson stated that the group, however, is particularly concerned about the safety of the health care professionals because of the limited Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) availability and shortage of testing for COVID-19.
He said that EADG has started a campaign to raise funds to support with PPE, and initiated professional experience sharing opportunity between Ethiopian physicians with their counterparts in the U.S., who are currently managing the severely ill COVID – 19 patients.
It was indicated that the online course includes clinical features, treatment, and outcomes in COVID- 19 patients, infection control and air way management, mechanical ventilation, recommendations for women in labor and their newborn, emergency preparedness and leadership. The online courses will be made available on the EADG website and the EADG YouTube page.
Dr. Girma pointed out that the webinar is intended for physicians who will be in direct contact with critically ill COVID- 19 patients and leaders in any health care institutions designated to care for patients infected by the epidemic. Leaders in state health bureau are also encouraged to attend.
In addition to the training, the EADG is running a campaign to raise money to help Ethiopia’s health workers engaged in combating COVID- 19, the chairperson remarked.
EADG was legally incorporated as a C-Corp (for profit) in North Carolina on May 26, 2011, for the purpose of establishing a center of excellence, internationally accredited tertiary hospital in Addis Ababa. Currently the group has over 250 physician members.
The Ethiopian Herald April 14/2020
BY BILAL DERSO
