Establishing a lung department in Eritrea: Successful training and new medical procedures

On March 3, 2023, the fourth mission started, this time internally with Edeltraut Hertel, midwifery teacher, and Dr. Björn Beurer, gynecologist, who had joined us to continue their own obstetrics project, with all participants harmonizing very well with each other. Again, the pneumology team consisted of 4 participants:

• Dr. Thomas Pladeck, pulmonologist;
• Dr. Barbara Luka, radiologist,
• Sandra Kampheuer, endoscopy assistant and speech therapist
• Seher Büyükaltay, medical assistant at a pulmonology practice.

The main focuses of the mission were planned in advance: training in the field of imaging diagnostics of the lungs incl. CT-guided interventional procedures, continuation of the establishment of bronchoscopies for the diagnosis of lung infections or tuberculosis, introduction/training of pulmonary function tests using spirometry, as well as the continuation of bed-side teaching in the field of drainage therapy. The implementation then took place on site in the form of plenary lectures following the daily morning meeting and as part of lunchtime lectures for senior physicians, assistant physicians, and students based on a weekly plan coordinated with the partner Dr. Goitom beforehand. At the same time, we conducted practical training for the medical staff of the pneumological outpatient clinic for the correct application of pulmonary function measurements. This ensured the safe use of a donated device and the examination could be established. Furthermore, the initiation of X-ray and CT discussions in radiology showed the advantage of a mutual professional exchange. In the further course, the first CT-guided lung biopsy in Eritrea and a CT-guided thoracic drainage system were performed in cooperation with the local radiologists. In addition, as with the last mission, we provided practical guidance to the medical colleagues in performing bronchoscopies in the intensive care unit based on several examinations.

When inserting several chest drains, we were pleased to note that the doctors trained by us during the last stays can now safely perform the procedures independently. Overall, the goals we set for the current mission, but also those of the overall project, were successfully implemented or achieved.

However, the increasing cooperation of our partner with Chinese investors and the restricted information policy towards us were irritating. At this point, there is a fundamental need for discussion for further missions.

On the sidelines of the mission, we and all participants paid a visit to the German Embassy in Asmara, where there was an opportunity for a mutual exchange of experiences. Here, too, the topic of the increasing Chinese influence in Eritrea was raised. The mission was also supplemented by an afternoon trip to the “Meinefri” reservoir outside Asmara, where we were able to find out about the water supply to the capital. The trip took place together with colleagues from the Archemed e.V. association (ENT and neonatology department).

On March 15, 2024, the entire group of 6 participants from both projects then started their journey home in good health and safely reached the home airports of Düsseldorf and Berlin.

gez. Dr. Thomas Pladeck
Project Manager