Working with professional societies The Ethiopian Experience Abebe

Working with professional societies: The Ethiopian Experience Abebe Bekele, MD, FCS Consultant Surgeon: Addis Ababa university Secretary General, Surgical Society of Ethiopia

Introduction: Why Gambella? Regions National figure Gambella HIV Circumcision 1. 4% 93% 6% 46% Source: DHS, 2005, CSA Ethiopia and ORC Macro 9/25/2020 MC report: Arusha 2 2

Introduction: Why Gambella Characteristics Circumcised Uncircumcised Urban Rural 2. 4% 0. 6% 10. 7% 0. 6% Oromiya SNNP Gambella 0. 3% 2. 3% 1. 7% 0. 7% 9. 8% Source: DHS 2005, CSA Ethiopia and ORC Macro 3

Gambella 9/25/2020 MC report: Arusha 4

SSE and MC activities • Evolved from discussion between two friends - 2006 (from SSE and Jhpiego Ethiopia). • SSE came on-board: October 2007, after SA conducted in Gambella and three delivery sites selected. • Series of discussions: Resulted in an excellent relationship • Currently, one surgeon from SSE consults for Jhpiego Ethiopia. 9/25/2020 MC report: Arusha 5

Achievements (SSE and Jhpiego) • National MC program launched during the SSE 13 th AGM: January 2008 • The three MC sites equipped with full MC utilities: Ongoing • Two consultative meetings conducted: Gambella and SNNP • MC training tools adopted and used. 9/25/2020 MC report: Arusha 6

Achievements (SSE and Jhpiego) • MC teaching video about to be completed • Huge billboards, brochures, fliers and patient information produced. • Recording and reporting formats developed • Country guideline developed: Under revision • SSE sits at the national TWG 9/25/2020 MC report: Arusha 7

Achievements : Campaigns • Three already conducted, beginning October 2009 – 1776 circumcised • SSE recruits qualified surgeons, dispatches to Gambella • MC campaigns linked to General Surgery out-reach programs • Six campaigns planned as of July 5 th. • Campaigns are currently independent: SSE Sub-grant 9/25/2020 MC report: Arusha 8

Achievements: Trainings • Training package endorsed and adopted by the SSE. • Center of excellence at the Black Lion Hospital • Surgical Skills lab and theatre available. • Two trainings conducted: 30 Non-doctors and 5 MDs trained (task shifting) • 102 and 256 circumcised • Local surgeons (members) as trainers. 9/25/2020 MC report: Arusha 9

SSE ‘metastasis’ • SSE approached by Jhpiego office. • Three volunteer surgeons dispatched to Swaziland. • Willing to assist upon request 9/25/2020 MC report: Arusha 10

Program Challenges • • Extreme weather condition: as high as 40 degrees Interrupted electricity, very bad roads Limited fund Distance: Service sites far from the real needy population • Inability to provide MC services on regular basis • High turnover of trained staffs 9/25/2020 MC report: Arusha 11

The way Forward • Potential to scale-up the MC program: – More sites in Gambella – SNNPR in the next site – NDFE: SA to be done • Mobile MC centers (can we copy mobile VCT centers? ) • SSE administered dedicated MC centers • Bring other societies on board: Nurses…… 9/25/2020 MC report: Arusha 12

Thank You Very Much!! Friday, September 25, 2020 Abebe B. 13