Shaping Healthier Futures Through Storybooks

"I have recently returned from Ethiopia following my first visit to the country on behalf of THET. The trip was undertaken in support of a project to embed chronic disease management within local health care facilities across the country. Illnesses such as asthma, COPD, hypertension, diabetes and epilepsy have often been overlooked by both overseas charities and local health care professionals. However, these illnesses have an important and growing impact on people in the country, with almost half of all mortality related to chronic disease.

 As part of this work I visited several areas of the country including those with long standing links to the charity. Seeing at first hand the impact of ties to the medical communities in Gondar and Jimma was inspiring. These personal relationships meant that a real difference could be made to local communities. There was clear trust and respect felt between charity staff and the local medical teams. Many of those within the Gondar and Jimma had been directly supported and trained with THET support so that there is now a strong foundation of staff from which training and health care can develop. This is vital going forwards as there needs to be a significant cultural change in both the public and health care professionals in order to deliver effective chronic disease management.

I have a particular interest in asthma and COPD care as a respiratory physician. Whilst in Ethiopia I was aware that there is much that needs to change in order to provide good quality care. This includes ensuring that all concerned recognise the need for regular long term treatment and review of these conditions. Until recently this was not perceived an issue by many in Ethiopia but as a result of the long standing work by THET there is far greater awareness of these issues in Gondar and Jimma. These improvements have taken time and effort to develop. The knowledge that has been gained by THET through this process and the development of experienced individuals working for the charity places it in an unrivalled position. Looking to the future we are now supporting the Ethiopian Ministry of Health in a project to expand the care for chronic diseases across the county. The hope is that this will embed the skill and expertise developed over thirty years by THET in patient care for the whole country."