Eritrea mission 2024: Successful despite unexpected challenges

Our mission to Eritrea this year took place from March 5, 2024 – March 16, 2024. We were very excited to see how it would go after the members’ meeting of met4a e.V. in 2023 approved an extension of the project. Dr. Björn Beurer as a specialist in gynecology and Edeltraut Hertel as a lecturer in midwifery formed the sub-team that joined the working group of Dr. Thomas Pladeck – working in the pulmonology department.

Some surprises and related news awaited us:

1. For the first time, we only worked in the Municipal Edaga Hamus Hospital, whose staff
   already knew us from previous missions.
2. The medical director has changed from Dr. Kifleyesus Tedla to Dr. Dawit Estifano.
3. Our preparations, according to the written requests in advance (mainly
   Ultrasound training for midwives) were no longer an issue. That required
   a content-related replanning of the mission.
4. A state holiday unknown to us (March 8 as International Women’s Day) somewhat invalidated our
   time-related goals.
5. Another German group of experts from Archemed, who traveled to Keren to the Mother-Child-
   Center for their mission, inspired us with their reports and interesting information.
6. The exam day was redesigned in terms of content through group presentations on given topics
   and was a complete success.

Dr. Beurer usually worked in the OR in the mornings, supported, instructed, closely monitored the processes and drew conclusions for future cooperation. Afterwards, he gave specialist lectures and supported practical exercises on the respective topic.

Edeltraut settled into the delivery room and enjoyed working with the midwifery colleagues during bed-side teaching. They tried to apply their newly acquired knowledge immediately in practice, e.g. with pelvic assessments or corresponding supportive birthing positions.

Overall, we draw a positive conclusion from our mission, but we have also found that improvements are certainly possible. The joint team was in any case
a great enrichment, which not only shone through professional exchange, but also offered an occasion for cheerful, evening get-togethers.