CURE Ethiopia has reached an important milestone by providing compassionate care to vulnerable children with disabilities in Tigray, a region in northern Ethiopia deeply affected by recent war and famine.
Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, remembers the long history marked by repetitive periods of conflict in the region. Most recently, from 2020-2022, another war erupted, resulting in loss of life and socio-economic hardships heavily impacting many communities, particularly children with disabilities.
Early Plans and Setbacks
Prior to this recent conflict, CURE Ethiopia had envisioned launching a mobile clinic in Mekelle. “We want to host mobile clinics in every corner of the country,” stated Dr. Mesfin, one of the pediatric orthopedic surgeons at CURE Ethiopia. “There are so many kids with disabilities who, for various reasons, cannot come to CURE Ethiopia’s location in Addis Ababa. They will be without help unless we go and see them,” he added, emphasizing the need for mobile clinics in areas like Tigray with a critical need for medical care. Drawing on successful partnerships and mobile clinics with university hospitals in other regions, CURE Ethiopia established a vibrant clubfoot clinic with Mekelle University Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, also aiming to have regular mobile clinic visits. Yet, when the recent war broke out, efforts to finally organize a mobile clinic were delayed.
Going Where Needed
When the conflict ended and Mekelle opened back up to outsiders, CURE Ethiopia revived plans to begin mobile clinics there. “CURE as a network has prioritized reaching out to the most vulnerable,” shared Debebe, the Program Director of CURE Ethiopia. “At CURE Ethiopia, we have clearly defined that those who belong to the most vulnerable groups include children affected by conflict and subjected to chronic food insecurity. Seeing the catastrophic situation in Mekelle, we knew we had to do mobile clinics there.”
Under Debebe’s leadership, a CURE Ethiopia mobile clinic team, including surgeons, nurses, spiritual staff, schedulers, and IT support, traveled to Mekelle to address the medical needs of children with disabilities—both those affected by the conflict and others who had been unable to access treatment due to the closure of hospitals and other service centers.
Over the two-day clinic, the team diligently saw 148 patients and scheduled 49 to be admitted to CURE Ethiopia for surgery – five of whom will undergo long-term surgical and counseling care. One mother at the clinic, who had been unable to reach CURE Ethiopia due to road closures, shared her relief: “I was worried we would never find help. Families who can afford plane tickets get their children treated, but you coming here has shown that there is hope for families like ours.”
Looking Ahead
While this first mobile clinic in Mekelle marks a significant step forward, many families in that region continue to need specialized care.
Join CURE Ethiopia as we expand these mobile clinics, provide life-changing surgical care, and share the love of Jesus with more vulnerable children living with treatable disabilities.
About the CURE Children’s Hospital of Ethiopia
Established in 2008, CURE Ethiopia performs over 2,500 life-changing reconstructive and orthopedic surgeries every year for children suffering from treatable disabilities. Strategically located in the capital city of Addis Ababa, the teaching hospital has 70 beds and four operating rooms. CURE International uses this facility to multiply its efforts by partnering with The College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) to serve as a regional learning institution by implementing an orthopedic pediatric training program at the residency and fellowship levels. In addition to world-class clinical service, CURE Ethiopia ministers to the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their communities.
