The partnership between the Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology Department of the Ruhr University Bochum and the Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Mekelle, Ethiopia, dates back to 2012. The assisted project focuses on developing a hygiene strategy and on implementing hygiene measures to prevent infection at Ayder Hospital.
Problem: In Ethiopia the risk of infection in hospitals is high. The result is a high number of hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance.
Main activities: Training is being provided for two Ethiopian doctors in Germany and for medical and nursing staff in Ethiopia on hygiene and infection prevention. In addition, the partners are together drawing up a hygiene strategy. Training for an Ethiopian doctor on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and an Ethiopian microbiologist on HIV resistance tests round off the exchange of knowledge.
Short-term results: The implementation of the measures is to reduce the number of infections at the
partner hospital, reduce antimicrobial resistance and enhance the success of treatment of people living with HIV.
Long-term results: Advanced training for doctors on HIV drug resistance and sexually transmitted infections is to raise the knowledge of hygiene standards and infection prevention at Ayder Hospital, and thus reduce the risk of infection.