Thanks to the generous donations of DESTA ETHIOPIA’s loyal supporters equipment is now up and running to help premature infants survive.
Desta Ethiopia’s association with Fresemae’tat Primary Hospital goes back to the 2020-2022 war when we supplied stipends to staff to enable them to keep the hospital open. Since then we have been liaising regularly with the hospital to help reestablish vital medical services (see previous blogs, including ‘Picking up the pieces’ April 2025)
Here is a plea we received from neonatal nurse Gebreselassie Yirga, back in February:
“Our hospital catchment is Howzien and Nebelet – about 208,000 people – and there are high demands on our neonatal care services. We do what we can, but currently we have 33-week preterm twins and a 28-week premature infant. These babies struggle with breathing and have very weak immune systems, and without basic equipment like incubators and radiant warmers their chances of survival are as low as 10%. To give them proper care we urgently need equipment.”
” My name is Shishay. I came to the hospital for delivery when I was about 28 weeks pregnant. After the delivery of my baby I stayed awake for two nights trying to take care of him, and then I became sick because I did not rest. The hospital is good, and I want to thank them for the service they gave me, but they don’t have the right equipment to help babies and families like us.”
“My name is Genet. I came to the hospital for delivery, just like my friend. I kept my baby on my chest for about two days. The hospital staff did their best for us but if the right machines were available it would be very helpful. Nevertheless I would like to thank them all for their service and care.”
DESTA ETHIOPIA is now concentrating efforts on helping to upgrade neonatal care with key equipment: so far we have supplied a patient monitor, a radiant warmer, an infant incubator and an oxygen concentrator. Getting the equipment purchased and delivered from Addis was challenging due to major supply route disruptions and a severe, deepening fuel crisis, which is not only disrupting the movement of goods but also diverting fuel supplies away from public services. Nevertheless we finally got there, and the equipment is now installed and already saving lives. Now we are ready to start fund-raising again to install more equipment to keep babies alive!
Whether you can give a lot or only a little, every contribution is of value, and every contribution can make a huge difference – of life and death.
Thank you to all our supporters and donors who have helped to make this happen, and if you are new to DESTA, please join us!
Desta Ethiopia 