Something big just happened in Ethiopia!
On February 21st, ReachAnother Foundation joined hands with the Addis Ababa City Mayor, Minister of Health, Ministry of Health and Addis Ababa Health Bureau officials, Zewditu Memorial Hospital leadership and other close partners to celebrate the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the first dedicated Pediatric Neurosurgery Center in Ethiopia.
This wasn’t just a ceremonial event—it marked the realization of a shared dream to bring world-class pediatric neurosurgical care to Ethiopia, made possible by the incredible collaboration of local and international partners.
This state-of-the-art facility stands as a beacon of hope for countless children suffering from neural tube defects and other neurological disorders.
Witness the Journey of the Zewditu Center's Transformation
ReachAnother Foundation extends its most heartfelt thanks to the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust for their extraordinary partnership in bringing the Zewditu Pediatric Neurosurgery Center of Excellence to life.
The Helmsley Trust’s vision to improve the lives of those facing the greatest need resonates deeply with our mission and this center stands as a testament to what is possible when compassion meets action.
Equipped for Excellence
For the first time in Ethiopia, a single pediatric center is outfitted with the full spectrum of specialized neurosurgical equipment—including a high-resolution CT scanner, operating microscope, endoscopy system, and pediatric ICU technology.
This extraordinary combination of tools not only brings the highest standard of care to the country, but also positions the Zewditu Center as the national referral site for the most complicated pediatric neurosurgical cases. It’s a bold leap forward in both access and quality of care.
Beyond Bricks and Mortar: Building a Training Hub for Ethiopia
While the physical transformation is significant, the true essence of the center lies in its mission to become a training hub. The facility is poised to host Ethiopia’s first Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellowship Program, reinforcing ReachAnother Foundation’s tenet of “For Ethiopia, by Ethiopians.”
By training local neurosurgeons and multidisciplinary care teams, we ensure that this critical specialty becomes sustainable within the country, reducing reliance on external expertise.
“My interest (in pediatric neurosurgery) exploded after I learnt the presence of dedicated, vibrant and super energetic team during the recent inauguration of our first pediatric neurosurgery center in the country. The team under RAF is making historical moments and transforming and unlocking pediatric neurosurgery to a level which we have never thought of and its a pleasure to be part of this transformation.”
-Dr. Fisiha Gebeyehu
Neurosurgeon and Assistant professor, Bahir Dar University
