In the wake of the 2025 MSKCC Uro-Oncology seminar at the OMI in Salzburg, an idea took shape and quickly turned into action.
OMI fellow Dr. Ibsa Daba Kumsa, Assistant Professor of Urology at the Zewditu Memorial Hospital, returned to Addis Ababa determined to build on the momentum. Together with OMI faculty Dr. James A. Eastham, Peter T. Scardino Chair in Oncology and Chief of the Urology Service in the Department of Surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, he organized a series of webinars for members of the Urology Society of Ethiopia. MSKCC doctors delivered remote lectures on open radical prostatectomy and partial nephrectomy, each session drawing around 35 Ethiopian urologists.
The next step was clear: move from screens to operating rooms. The OMI proudly supported the visiting professorship of Dr. James A. Eastham and Dr. Timothy Donahue to Addis Ababa during the last week of February 2026. They were joined by two dedicated surgical nurses.
Ethiopia is one of the OMI’s target countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. To date, 205 fellowships have been awarded to Ethiopian physicians across all areas of medicine. Of these, 98 fellows have come from Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (Addis Ababa University College of Health Sciences) and 9 from St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, both of which became the focal points of last week’s visit. They are the two major tertiary institutions in Ethiopia offering urology residency training.
On Sunday, February 22, the delegation was welcomed at St. Paul’s by Head of Urology Dr. Masresha Solomon Dino. The team toured operating facilities and conducted ward rounds for patients scheduled for prostate and bladder cancer surgery. Later that day, they visited Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, where Head of Urology Dr. Messay Mekonnen received them, followed by a luncheon with the Society’s Executive Committee.
What followed was hands-on impact. On Monday, February 23, at St. Paul’s, two radical prostatectomies were performed with Dr. Teklebirhan and Dr. Ibsa Daba assisting. Around 15 urologists observed the procedures, engaging in detailed case discussions afterward. Tuesday, February 24, marked a milestone at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital: two radical prostatectomies were performed. It was the first time this procedure had ever been done at the institution. Dr. Mekuanint Asfaw and Dr. Admasu Melaku assisted, while 10 urologists and residents observed and participated in discussion. The visit concluded with a ceremony where certificates of recognition were awarded by Dr. Seid Mohammed, President of the Urology Society of Ethiopia, honoring the collaboration between Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, the Urology Society of Ethiopia, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the OMI.
When asked about the benefits of this visit, Dr. Ibsa Daba highlighted the successful management of prostate cancer patients and the introduction of radical prostatectomy at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. He emphasized that the practical transfer of surgical skills to local urologists and residents, along with strengthened institutional collaboration, has enhanced local surgical capacity and will benefit future urology patients across Ethiopia.
Our sincere thanks go to Dr. Eastham, Dr. Donahue, Mrs. Bonifacio Carlos, Mrs. Saulan, and the entire local Ethiopian team, whose leadership and commitment made this visit a success.
