As access to ART increases in Ethiopia, so too has the need to bolster health system infrastructure and human resource capacity to meet the growing needs of PLWH who are now receiving treatment or soon will be.
Partners at Debre Berhan Hospital and the Elmhurst Hospital Center in New York City are strengthening
Debre Berhan’s capacity to provide ART and other care and support services to the population it serves.
Specifically, partners are working to:
- Enhance medical and psychosocial care for PLWH to prevent complications and improve quality of life;
- Strengthen hospital services related to HIV/AIDS care at Debre Berhan;
- Increase patient involvement as a way of improving quality of care; and
- Enhance professional knowledge and training
opportunities for Debre Berhan staff.
As of May 2009 partners have conducted four
professional exchanges focused on mentoring and
onsite training for staff at Debre Berhan.
During the most recent exchange to Ethiopia, the Elmhurst team — which included two doctors and two nurses — provided one-on-one mentoring on topics such as treatment of psychosocial issues, case
management, adherence, and the role of nurses in
patient assessment and care. In addition, the Elmhurst partners provided an introduction to palliative care and
conducted onsite staff training for ocular manifestations of AIDS and diabetes and routine obstetric and gynecological care of HIV-infected women.
Upcoming activities include the continuation of onsite mentoring and training for Debre Berhan staff and a pen pal project between patients at both hospitals, who share information about their experiences living with HIV, as well as strategies for coping and staying
adherent to treatment.
Updated June 5, 2009
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