November 28, 2025
Hawassa University's College of Medicine and Health Sciences received a donation of medical equipment and implants for spine surgery worth more than 45 million ETB from the SIGN Spine Team, a specialized army of long-standing partner SIGN Fracture Care International, USA.
Dr. Kibru Kifle, Chief Executive Director of the College, stated that the donation will greatly strengthen the capacity of the spine unit, which was established two years ago and newly developing service at the hospital, to serve the public with improved access and quality of care. He sincerely appreciated the SIGN Spine collaborators for their continued commitment and the college's orthopedic doctors who have made it happen for empowering the HU-CSRH further.
Dr. Mengistu Gebreyohanes, Orthopedic Spine surgeon, Head of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and founder of the Spine Unit, noted that patient referrals for spine surgery have steadily increased since the service was initiated. He explained that three to five patients requiring spine surgery now visit the hospital each week. And given the high cost of spinal implants, he said, many patients have been unable to afford treatment. Dr. Mengistu stated that this donation will substantially enhance the hospital’s ability to provide timely and appropriate surgical care. He also indicated that this is the second phase of the donation, following an initial shipment received two months ago.
The support was secured during the visit of Dr. Michael Coscia, spine surgeon from SIGN Spine, and Dr. Martin Claude, Managing Director of AO Alliance, in November 2024.
