The Center will focus on dealing with ethical dilemmas in clinical practice in Ethiopia through an ethics committee based at the Black Lion Hospital and a Training of Trainers program. Many ethical issues have not been included in curriculum in trainings or general practice of medical professionals in Ethiopia before, and textbooks on medical ethics within an Ethiopian context, does not exists. Medical professionals have to take challenging decisions connected to end-of-life support and scarce resources. Dr. Dawit Desalegn, the Head of the new center, emphasized the need for teachers in ethics and research based empirical studies.
The new center will make it possible to expand to all 28 medical faculties in Ethiopia. The project will also result in a new textbook on the topic as well as guidelines on various topics. The clinical ethics committee will support doctors and hospitals to make the right decisions in difficult situations.
Norway has an extensive focus on improving health, mostly multilaterally and through direct institutional collaboration. It is wonderful to see how such cooperation results in innovative research solutions well adapted to the local context and needs.