Establishment of EEG Labs in Northern Ethiopia

I am back home after training nine EEG techs and establishing three EEG labs in northern Ethiopia. During my project in Ethiopia, there have been highs and lows, but that’s to be expected.

After arriving in Addis Ababa and receiving clearance for the EEG machines from the customs office, I traveled to Mekelle, a city that was torn apart during the civil war around 20-30 years ago. Even though you still notice the profound marks from the war, you can easily tell that the city is growing rapidly.

The training was held at Mekelle University Ayder Referral Hospital Campus. According to the hospital website, Ayder Referral Hospital commenced rendering its referral and non-referral services in 2008 to the 8 million people in its catchment areas of the Tigray, Afar and South-eastern parts of the Amhara Regional States.

I requested all the trainees from three states to come to Mekelle so I could give the training in centralized area and at the same time the techs know each other and work collaboratively in the future. Out of twelve expected trainees, three of them did not make it due to transportation issues.

Mekelle University (Ayder Referral Hospital) where the training was held

I started the training by showing YouTube videos of different seizure and seizure-like activities, and asking the trainees if they could tell that is seizure or not. It was a good icebreaker and at same time the trainees learned not only how to perform a task but more importantly why, so they understood the rationale behind what they were doing. The training consisted of lectures, discussions, group work and hands-on practice. The trainees accomplished the tasks with great initiative and a positive attitude.

After completing the training and establishing the first ever EEG lab in Mekelle, I flew back to the capital city of Addis Ababa to catch another plane to fly to to Bahir Dar (Lake Shore) to assemble the EEG machine and establish another EEG lab. Bahir Dar is known for its wide avenues lined with palm trees and a variety of colorful flowers. It is also considered to be one of the most beautiful, well planned, and safest cities in Ethiopia. The city is founded near the place where Blue Nile stems from Lake Tana; Lake Tana is the source of the Nile River.

The city of Bahir Dar

The Bahir Dar University Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital was built around 90 years ago for a population of 25-30,000 people. The hospital now serves close to 6 million people. Every single room in the hospital used for patient care, therefore; there is no enough room to accept all the patients coming for a treatment; not surprisingly the hospital bed usage is always more than 100%. We really had a hard time finding an ideal room to use as the EEG lab. Finally, after a series of meetings and room visits, we found one small room in the corner of the psych unit, but the room has no working power outlet and door. Thanks to the hospital leadership, the electrician and the facility staff, they were able to get the room ready on the same day.

My next stop was the city of Gondar.  Gondar is located in northwest Ethiopia, and it is a city with a long tradition. In the 16^th and 17^th centuries, Gondar was the capital city of Ethiopia.  It is famous for its many castles and the design and decoration of its churches.

The University of Gondar Hospital is the oldest and largest referral hospital in northwest Ethiopia. It is positioned to serve a population of more than 5 million and about 200,000 patients visit the hospital from different part of the country. The hospital was built 85 years ago by the Italians.

During my stay in Gondar, besides establishing the first EEG lab in the area, I was able to fix a donated Neuromax EMG machine that was not functioning for more than a year. Also, the establishment of the EEG lab at Gondar covered by the regional radio station.

During my time in northern Ethiopia, there were some struggles, but I managed to turn things around in time and still have a meaningful experience. I can say that the project which is training EEG techs and establishing three EEG labs has been a success, and it has also been a huge learning experience.  With the EEG machine, the university hospitals that are serving millions of people in north Ethiopia will improve the care they provide to patients with epilepsy and will also provide practical training to residents and students. Even though the project is done, I also realized that there are still plenty to do.