“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see,” says Mark Twain, while talking about the power that kindness has on individuals, and it is an act that is valued and understood by everyone beyond the boundaries.
It is true that showing kindness, care and love and genuinely extending a helping hand to those people who are trapped in cycles of poverty, disease and other similar challenges is an act that is simply felt and understood without words; and a virtue that shows one’s moral strength and the level of excellence in character.
In Ethiopia, there are a number of charity organizations that are established with the core idea of supporting fellow citizens who are caught in various kinds of problems and compelled to lead miserable lives. While some of the organizations are focusing on children, others work on women, elders, street children, disabled and mentally ill people, and the like disadvantaged social group. Mekedonia Home for Elderly and Disabled people, Selihom Mentally ill People Support Association, Zewditu Meshesha Children and Family Charity’s development Association are some that are mentioned to the fore, in this regard.
The organizations, though it is at different level, are discharging their social responsibility by feeding, sheltering, taking care of and maintaining the health and well-being of people residing in their care homes.
Recently, a team of dedicated healthcare professionals working at faculty of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College launched a Women’s Health Support Charity Organization dubbed “HeWaN.”
These practitioners, for the reason they observe the challenges women are encountering in their day to day activities, established the foundation to lessen the burden of mothers who may come to the Hospital seeking medical care; but encounter additional problems including finance and shelter.
As it was stated at the launching ceremony, this foundation was established with the aim of solving the problems of many mothers in the health sector and transforming maternal health in Ethiopia.
Apart from this support, the patients are not only screened when they are sick, but also they get an early treatment before the disease occurs. In particular, the practitioners work on diseases that require preventive measures, such as early detection of cervical cancer. As part of their future plans, they intend to construct a waiting building to save patients who are referred to the Hospital to secure from extra costs and harassment they face during appointments.
In fact, these health professionals used to cover the medical cost of mothers flocking from different parts of the country to the Hospital. They had to purchase medicines, cover housing costs for those patients staying for long due to additional follow up reasons but failed to cover medical and other accommodation expenses. And the idea of establishing a foundation was derived from such a case.
While explaining the main reason for the establishment of the foundation, Deputy Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of the Hospital and Chairperson of the HeWaN Lemi Belay (MD.) said that among the mothers who come to the hospital for various medical issues, there are many who interrupt their treatments for not able to cover their medical expenses.
There were several mothers and sisters, who came to give birth, receiving gynecological treatments, and even for cancer cases, but quit their treatments because they failed to cover their medical expenses.
Noticing this challenge, some medical practitioners working in the hospital start discussion on ways they can support the patients while providing medical services. Further than this, there were patients who were receiving treatment at the hospital who wanted to support those unfortunates after being discharged getting cured. With the intention of linking them, three years ago, a patients’ fund committee was formed by seven medics on a WhatsApp platform. In the same way, two years ago, a Telegram group was opened to involve students who are active participants socially.
Concurrent to this, there was an activity by the faculty in raising funds for cancer patients since they were not able to afford the treatment of chemotherapy as most of the patients came from different parts of the country, spent a lot for housing, food and the like. To this end, a discussion was held with students to structure it and work in an integrated way, he added.
According to him, the activity, which started in such a way, has now borne fruit and HeWaN Women’s Health Support Charity Organization has become a reality.
“The main objective of the foundation is that the lives of women should not be restricted due to health problems. They should not also be left out from healthcare treatment because they are economically deprived. Likewise, they should not suffer because of their lack of education or understanding.”
Thus, to overcome such drawbacks, the Hospital works committedly and undertakes a number of measures including holding awareness raising programs by organizing various educational platforms, he added.
However, as it is challenging to achieve the desired outcome merely by the government or a single entity, it is important to join hands and collaborate with various organizations working on women’s health, pertinent bodies, development partners and investors working in the hotel, health and medical sectors in the city.
Likewise, efforts have been made to open Go Fund Me to allow Ethiopians living abroad to participate in the effort thereby to achieve a common good for all citizens – to address women’s health problems, provide assistance and create a future where every woman in Ethiopia has access to high-quality maternal healthcare services, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location, he added.
As HeWaN has embarked on a transformative journey, it has called upon stakeholders, policymakers, and the broader community to join hands in advancing the cause of women’s health and maternal well-being. “Together, we can build a healthier, more equitable future for all women in Ethiopia,” the founders of the foundation urged.
Speaking at the event, Board Member of and Director of St. Paul Institute for Reproductive Health and Rights (SPIRHR) Prof. Delayehu Bekele highlighted the critical role of organizations like HeWaN in driving positive change and advancing healthcare services for women across the country.
CEO of HeWaN and Chairperson of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Wondimu Gudu (MD) also reaffirmed HeWaN’s commitment to providing comprehensive care and support to reproductive patients, particularly those from underserved communities.
BY ELIZABETH MENGISTU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD 25 APRIL 2024
