Currently, about four thousand orthopedic patients are in the waiting list at Tikur Anbessa Hospital alone, according to the report from the Ethiopian Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology Association (ESOTA). The number would significantly hike if one considers those in need of such treatment for orthopedic problems throughout the country.
But for the entire nation of about 100 million people in general the number of orthopedic surgeons is only 200. This creates a lot of burden.
Bone break, crack, and fracture could happen due to different reasons like car accident, sports, falling down from peaks such as mountains and buildings especially during construction. Bone fracture may also come from metabolic bone disease, bone tumors, and connective tissue bone disease. Trauma may happen due to long term stress, drug addiction and anxiety.
The Doctors in the association explain combination of natural and artificial occurrences as the causes of orthopedics and traumatology. Genetic diseases such as cancer and injuries that happen during war, sport activities, and car accidents are among the major ones, they pointed out.
ESOTA reported that the number of graduate orthopedic surgeons from various universitiesis increasing. This is mainly to satisfy the incompatibility between the demand and supply in this regard. Many Ethiopians are in need of the treatment. Thus, the association has opened new education centers apart from Addis Ababa University, learnt from the association.
Dr. Samuel Hailu, Orthopedic surgeon and member of ESOTA, told The Ethiopian Herald that young surgeons have graduated from Saint Paul Hospital this year, whereas, more specialists will be graduating from Mekelle and Bahir Dar University in the coming year. New coaching center will be opened soon in Hawassa city, said the Doctor.
The surgeon mentioned that the association was serving the people by opening various treatment centers throughout the country. It has centers in Addis Ababa, Assella, Bahir Dar, and Mekelle. The centers have been operating with maximum potential to satisfy the demand for the service, as to the Doctor.
Samuel further explained that the association is working on how to improve the academic quality of the sector in line with increasing the number of graduates. ESOTA in collaboration with the Ministry of Health is working to create a standard curriculum for orthopedics schools in the country. It is to standardize the curriculum provided by each school, he said.
Dr. Geletaw Tessema, President of ESOTA, in an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, on his part, illustrated that the association is working to formulate parallel curriculum throughout the schools so as to produce specialists with comparable skill and knowledge. This helps produce up to date and competent young surgeons from the schools, as to him.
The Doctor uncovered that the association also has to assess new orthopedic treatment centers for their quality standard and certify them based on the standard of measurement after giving uniform and standardized exams for all graduate specialists by establishing exit board exam, suggested the Doctor.
The president also revealed that the association is facilitating on how to aid Young Ethiopian Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology by providing them with the necessary equipment for the treatment in collaboration with different aiding organizations. The association is able to produce a good number of specialists since its establishment, he addressed.
The president told that the association is treating orthopedics and traumatology just like other communicable diseases. It should be given priority by the government just like other deadly diseases. The association has been receiving aid from various NGOs from India, Australia, and Switzerland, as to the president.
The president, on 14th annual general orthopedic meeting, mentioned that the Federal Ministry of Health is on the way to improve most of the policies. This would bring about fertile ground to enhance the practice and give a standard management for those who need it. Road map of sub-specialization and standardization of the hospitals are among the changes to be made, as to him.
Geletaw explained that orthopedics treats joint diseases and traumas. Arthroscopies are carried out on knees, shoulders, feet, elbows and hip joints. Following an arthroscopy, patients do not need to stay in hospital for long periods of time; such surgery is usually carried out without the need for overnight care at a hospital. Arthroscopy is a low-traumatic method of surgical treatment and, therefore, the post-operative period is much more pleasant for patients, he said.
He added that traumatology includes medical traumatology and psychological traumatology. Medical Traumatology is the treatment of wounds and injuries caused by violence or general accidents. Psychological traumatology is a type of damage to one’s mind due to a distressing event. This type of trauma can also be the result of overwhelming amounts of stress in one’s life.
Psychological trauma usually involves some type of physical trauma that poses as a threat to one’s sense of security and survival. Psychological trauma often leaves people feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and threatened, as to the Doctor.
The Ethiopian Herald August 17, 2019
BY GETAHUN LEGESSE
