Cuso International CEO and leadership team donate medical supplies to Benishangul-Gumuz Region

November 6, 2018 – Cuso International’s CEO and leadership team from Ottawa, Canada visited Benishangul-Gumuz Region last week. Their visit included stops at the Regional Health Bureau, Assosa General Hospital, Assosa University, Homosha Health Center and the Jima Kebele Health Post in Homosha.

The officials met with the Regional Health Bureau Head, Mr. Habtamu Taye, and senior administration on Friday morning to discuss the current partnership with the Regional Health Bureau and opportunities for further collaboration.

“We are honoured to partner with Cuso International in our efforts to increase health promotion, particularly around maternal and child health,” says Mr. Habtamu Taye. “We are thankful for the support of the organization in conjunction with the Government of Canada for their contributions to the Benishangul-Gumuz Region and towards reducing maternal and child mortality in the region.”

Cuso International volunteers are also working at Assosa General Hospital. Volunteers include nurses, physicians and midwives. Built in 1984, Assosa General Hospital serves a population of approximately 600,000 people.

“Our staff face daily challenges included lack of human resources, scarce water supplies, a lack of medical equipment and the capacity for maintenance of our current equipment. Despite these challenges, we are proud of our improvement rating from the Ministry of Health’s quality of service assessment from 50% to 78%,” says Chief Clinical Officer, Mr. Sibhat Getachew W/hawariat. “Collaboration with Cuso International has been instrumental to our rating change. We are deeply thankful for the support of Cuso International and look forward to our continued partnership.”

Cuso International works in 21 countries and strives to eradicate poverty and inequality through the efforts of highly skilled volunteers, collaborative partnerships and compassionate donors. The team donated medical equipment to the Homosha Health Centre, Assosa General Hospital, Pawe General Hospital and Pawe Health Science College. The equipment included: doppler ultrasounds to locate fetal heartbeats, birthing kits, stethoscopes and thermometers, among various other items.

“Cuso International believes in the power of people and supports a people-centred approach to development. Through partnerships and collaboration, we work with organizations to enhance their capacity,” says Glenn Mifflin, Chief Executive Officer of Cuso International. “During our visit to the Regional Health Bureau, Assosa University and Assosa General Hospital, we were able to meet many of the people doing important work. We are happy to continue our partnerships in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region and look forward to further collaboration.”

The leadership team met with administration at Assosa University to explore further collaboration on research projects related to gender-based violence. Officials traveled back to Addis Ababa on Sunday and leave for Tanzania next to visit Cuso International regional staff, volunteers and partners supporting youth and women focused entrepreneurship development programs.

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Cuso International

Cuso International is a non-profit development organization that works to reduce poverty and inequality through the efforts of highly skilled volunteers, collaborative partnerships and compassionate donors. Established in 1961, Cuso International is a registered charity in Canada and the United States.

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.

Registered charitable numbers:
Canada: 81111 6813 RR0001
United States: EIN 30-0545486

Media Contacts

Rebecca Gass
Regional Health Bureau/Cuso International
+251 94 544 0028