BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
Established in 1923, Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College is one of the oldest hospitals in Ethiopia. The hospital that was called as “Bete Saida Be Tefferi Mekonnen Hospital” at first and later renamed Yekatit 12 Hospital when the Derg Regime came to power in 1970s. It was founded by Dr. Ayner, a Swedish Medical Doctor, who served in the hospital as a medical director until 1936.
Dr. Ayiner, as it is learnt from hospital’s recordings, served the hospital untiringly and exerted a great effort along with Ethiopian medical professionals and concerned bodies to make the health facility a success.
As history would have it, the hospital in its hundred year’s journey has passed through a range of ups and downs. For instance when the hospital was first opened and became operational, there were only 25 beds and a few health professionals. However, in course of time, following the support made by the British Red Cross to the hospital, the number of beds increased to 140. At that time, the command of administration was under Emperor Haile Selassie Charity Organization.
At present, the hospital is making the necessary preparations to celebrate its 100th anniversary with various events. In his recent briefing to media personnel in relation to hospital’s 100th anniversary, hospital’s Head Provost Elias Tewabe (MD) said that Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College is one of the six medical hospitals in the metropolitan; and a pioneer in a number of services like burn management, gynecology, and dental among others. For the past 100 years, it has been undertaking a number of leading medical activities.
What is more, it is the institution that started the blood donation program and nursing education for the first time in Ethiopia. Currently, it is offering medical services in three main programs, namely outpatient and inpatient treatments plus emergency cases. Currently the hospital has 130 specialist and sub specialists, 180 general physicians, residents and public health professionals, 520 nurses and 59 pharmacy professionals, he added.
Mentioning that the rate of hospital’s input capacity has increased, he said that at present healthcare services such as dialysis, nerve related and above neck treatments and other surgeries are being provided. “We are striving to ensure quality services through digitizing,” he further noted.
While talking about the hospital’s six months performance report, the Provost said that during the past six months, around fourteen thousand outpatients were treated, and in the emergency ward nineteen thousands got the services. Likewise, three thousands of patients with burn pain received treatments at the burn unit through outpatient services and some one hundred treated in inpatient care program. Since the beginning of this Ethiopian year, the hospital has also commenced providing new services like TB and eye medication
“The Hospital would reaffirm its professional commitment to provide healthcare services to the communities based on the guidelines and in a manner meeting professional ethics. We also urge fellow citizens living at home and abroad; particularly those who were born at the hospital to celebrate the centennial.”
Hospital’s 100th anniversary will be commemorated with various events and through various platforms. Efforts will be made to sensitize the community towards the progress of the hospital and its aspirations, he remarked. Yekatiat 12 Hospital Administration and Development Vice Provost Alemu Kibretu for his part said that the hospital is celebrating its centennial through various events.
Of the listed activities, the hospital will purchase a three thousand Abay Hydroelectric Dam Bond for each baby born on April 2. At the same time, senior health professionals will provide free services in screening and helping people with cases of hypertension, diabetes. Symposium that shows the progress of the hospital will also be carried out.
“Moreover we set a plan to commemorate the centennial by organizing panel discussions, highway mass sports and football matches between senior leadership and the professionals. We would like to invite all to celebrate the anniversary with the hospital’s community and; we extend our call to private and public institutions
to be part of the commemorations. The centennial celebration will run until the end of this Ethiopian year,” he underlined. Educational Research Vice Provost Merertu Temesgen (MD) for her part noted that the hospital has been providing services and working persistently in human development. As a result, it graduated four hundred medical doctors and two hundred public health professionals in six rounds.
She further pointed out that the healthcare landscape is undergoing a tremendous transformation as there is a paradigm shift towards value-based care. In this regard the hospital is working to catch up with the ongoing advancements and provide optimal quality healthcare services for the general public.
“We have enabled to build and ensure meaningful relations with patients, physicians and the communities throughout the entire care continuum. We are striving for the next years of success by providing high-quality health services through promoting preventive, curative, rehabilitative approaches,” she concluded.
Addis Ababa City Administration Health Bureau Deputy Head Mulugeta Endale (MD) for his part said that the hospital is carrying out activities that would make it a model institution for other health institutions in terms of providing better services and devising new work systems in the health sector.
Especially, by digitizing its services, the hospital is making a significant contribution to the efforts being made to modernize the health sector. He also expressed his gratitude for the activities done in the last one century; and for all actors who have contributed significantly for the success of the hospital. Meanwhile, last Sunday, on April 2, 2023, Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College won the highest award at the national level for its outstanding achievements
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 6 APRIL 2023
