Healthcare in Ethiopia
We share the love of Christ by providing excellent medical care with compassion.
About Ethiopia
The only African nation never to be colonized, Ethiopia sits in the eastern corner of what is called “the Horn of Africa.” With over 112 million inhabitants, it is the second most populated country on the continent. It is among the fastest-growing nations in the world, and with 60% of its population under the age of 24, also one of the poorest.
While many good people in the health sector are working to improve quality and access to medical care, larger problems such as political conflict, international issues, and corruption often get in the way.
The Problem
Of all surgeries performed worldwide, only 3.5% occur in countries like Ethiopia that have low healthcare expenditures and a lack of qualified surgical personnel.
Over 90% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population lacks access to even basic surgical care. Doctors and surgeons typically see 100 patients per day — an unsustainable load.
Our Response: Training & Care
Through its affiliation with the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS), Soddo Christian Hospital operates two residency programs in General Surgery and Orthopedic Surgery. In these five-year, fully accredited programs, Western surgeons train African physicians to increase Africa’s surgical capacity.
Soddo currently trains up to 22 residents at a time, with graduates serving across Africa. We praise God for the empowerment and training of Africans, for Africa!
Beyond training, Soddo provides a full range of medical, surgical, maternity, and pediatric care for patients of all backgrounds and all faiths — many who travel hundreds of miles to receive treatment and hope.
Tesfaye’s Story
11-year-old Tesfaye was out herding his family’s cattle and searching for water when bandits from a neighboring tribe suddenly attacked out of the bush. Before absconding with the stolen cattle, they ruthlessly shot Tesfaye in the back of his head.
Over the next 36 hours, Tesfaye’s panic-stricken brother carried him from one place to another desperately seeking help. They stopped at three medical clinics—none of which had the surgeons or supplies to help. By the time Tesfaye arrived at Soddo Christian Hospital, he was barely alive.
Our team of surgeons quickly conferred and then gently broke the news that’s hard to hear and even harder to deliver:
Upon hearing news like this, most poor families opt to take their family member home rather than undergo an unpromising operation that risks financial catastrophe for them and their community. Tesfaye’s family was so severely impoverished that his brother had only one shoe. That’s why his response was so surprising:
Our team of doctors prayed together, washed up, and quickly headed to the OR. They did what they could with the very limited supplies they had. Miraculously, Tesfaye survived the surgery.
Over the next few days in the ICU, Tesfaye defied every negative prediction of the medical professionals. As each day progressed, he lay in his hospital bed watching The Jesus Film and learning about the ultimate Healer from our team of chaplains who visited and prayed with him.
A few weeks later, Tesfaye was released from the hospital. His recovery is nothing short of a miracle.
While Tesfaye’s healing is extraordinary, his story isn’t all that unique.
Every day, our team of surgeons and PAACS residents perform life-saving surgeries for desperately poor patients who might otherwise perish. Most life-saving surgeries at Soddo cost around $360. Your one-time gift of $360 (or $30/month) will literally save a life.
Children like Tesfaye are treated every day at SCH
Help Bring Healing to Ethiopia
Your support equips our team to serve those who cannot pay, train new surgeons, and share the love of Christ across the Horn of Africa.