Israeli Mission Saves Sick Newborns In Ethiopia

Israeli doctors are saving premature and critically ill newborns in Ethiopia. 

Sheba Medical Center led a four-day humanitarian mission in Bahir Dar, northern Ethiopia, to improve the country’s medical capabilities.

A team of specialists from Israel’s largest medical center joined forces with local healthcare providers to offer specialized care and surgeries for premature and critically ill infants, as well as infants with birth defects.

The mission was part of Sheba’s Global Impact Initiative, dedicated to implementing the most advanced health solutions globally, and fostering better relationships to strengthen fragile healthcare systems. It has launched such missions across Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.

The standard of medical care varies widely across Ethiopia, but limited access to modern medical facilities and equipment, and widespread poverty, malnutrition, and poor sanitation, have resulted in an average life expectancy of 66 years, lower than the global average of 72. 

Despite these challenges, the Ethiopian government and international organizations, together with the help of humanitarian missions like Sheba’s, are working to improve the overall standard of healthcare in the country and enhance its medical capabilities.

“Together with my Sheba colleagues, I am honored to have the opportunity to share our knowledge and skills with our local colleagues in Ethiopia and to work together to treat patients with the latest life-saving treatments,” said Prof. Tzipi Strauss, Director of the Neonatology Department at Sheba Medical Center.

“Our mission is not only about providing direct care to patients, but also empowering and educating local medical teams so that they can continue to provide top-quality care long after we leave.

“We believe that by working together, we can make a sustainable impact on the healthcare system in Ethiopia and help improve the lives of countless families in the region.”