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Attat Hospital, Ethiopia Serving at a busy rural hospital in Ethiopia is one of hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to those in need today. Five of our Sisters are in mission at Attat Hospital in Gurage, Ethiopia. Sister Antonia Redito is the Administrator, and Sisters Nigist Biru, Inge Jansen, Elise Kurisummoottil, and Rita Schiffer, M.D., are all active on the staff. The 73-bed hospital began in 1969. Half a million people live in the area served by the hospital. The Outpatient Department handles over 50,000 visits each year, with malaria a leading problem. Inpatient facilities include medical, surgical, pediatric and obstetrics wards, plus an eye clinic. Pharmacy and laboratory services are provided, along with an ear, nose and throat clinic, and a program for tuberculosis control. The hospital is a center for HIV voluntary counseling and testing, and a new building for HIV/AIDS patients was recently added. Village first aid stations, staffed by trained community health agents (CHAs) and traditional birth attendants (TBAs), expand the healing work of the hospital. “The service in the first aid stations provides immediate treatment for most minor illnesses in much less time and at much less expense, and saves the people from having to come to the hospital outpatient department for minor complaints,” our Sisters explain.
Nearly 2,500 women are involved with women’s groups begun by our Sisters for empowerment, problem solving, and health awareness. Interested women also learn natural family planning, and assist those in need of social services. Over 130,000 people are benefiting from 124 safe water sites, which have been developed with local communities and are maintained by them.
“Health education is a priority, and permeates the entire integrated health program,” our Sisters say. “Teaching is done at village meetings…in the hospital OPD, wards, maternity waiting area, nutrition rehabilitation unit, antenatal and under five clinics…and during expanded immunization programs and epidemic control visits, at schools, etc.”
Sister-Doctor Rita Schiffer shares, “Despite many Ethiopian doctors, Ethiopia has tremendous difficulty maintaining service in the far-out areas.” Our Sisters are happy to note that their staff training efforts were successful in 2007, and are ongoing in 2008.
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