Ayder Hospital is treating 110 sexually assaulted women every week, he said.
The Ayder Specialized Hospital under Mekelle University was established in 2000. He started working in May.
This hospital serves more than 300,000 outpatients and 17,000 inpatients per year. The hospital has the capacity to deliver more than 5,000 mothers per year. Apart from this, he avoided the hardships and abuse of patients who were sent to hospitals outside the region, including Addis Ababa, for "better treatment".
The chief clinical director of the hospital and a pediatric neurologist, Dr. Abraha G. God, told our site that the war that occurred in the Tigray region three years ago had crippled Ayder Hospital's capacity.
Among the services provided by the hospital is the treatment of women who have been sexually assaulted during the war. If it is as Dr. Abraha told us; He said, "Many women who are victims of sexual violence do not come to medical institutions because it puts a lot of psychological pressure in the culture and society."
He said that very few women come to the hospital. 80 per week. They told us that up to 110 women would kick the doors of Aider Hospital after smelling treatment.
Dr. Abraha remembers that many women used to come during the war.
They said that the number of patients who come now is less, but they are at risk of reproductive diseases related to the violence, infectious diseases related to sexual violence, back tremors, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
It is stated that displaced women in shelters come to the hospital in large numbers. Dr. Abraha explained that "two thirds" of the 80 to 110 patients treated every week return to the hospital without getting better.
We have heard that "women who were sexually assaulted in front of their families" did not return even though their villages were safe. Explaining the reason for this, Dr. Abraha said that it is difficult for them to see their families again due to the psychological burden caused by such brutal attacks.
They stated that there are many women in the region who have given birth to children due to rape.
They said to us, "There are people who come saying they are hungry" because they have no income and are unable to feed their children. Dr. Abraha G. God, the Chief Clinical Director of Ayder Special Hospital, pointed out that the disease and condition is not only a health problem but also a social crisis.
In order to overcome the problems, after receiving at least treatment, 30 to 40 women will be admitted to a detention center called "Safe House". There are these centers in Mekelle, Adigrat, Shire. However, from the point of view of patients, they are "insignificant", said Dr. Abraha.
They will stay at the center for three months and receive psychological treatment and vocational skills training.
We heard from the hospital that this center is not accessible to many women and continues to be a challenge. It is felt that Ayder Hospital has never exceeded "40 percent" in terms of drug supply. It is stated that although the activities after the Pretoria Peace Agreement have improved, the supply of medicines is still challenging patients and hospitals.
Dr. Abraha told us that the medical facility provides and sends all the medicines the patient needs.
In general, to alleviate the psychological burden of women who have been sexually assaulted. Dr. Abraha points out that many sectors or fields should be involved in the treatment.
Chief Clinical Director of the hospital, Dr. Abraha G. God said to "Le Hagere TV" that all the women undergoing treatment were sexually assaulted during the war in the northern part of the country.
We heard that most of the 110 women seeking treatment who come every week come back to the hospital without getting better.
by By the site reporter
2024-03-27
