Africa Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Rehabilitation and Training (ALERT) Hospital
Africa Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Rehabilitation and Training (ALERT) Hospital, one of Ethiopia's oldest and largest medical institutions, is deeply ingrained in the hearts of many Ethiopians for its enduring contributions. Originally dedicated to leprosy-related health issues, ALERT has evolved into a comprehensive hospital providing general medical services, conducting impactful research, and offering essential training programs. Over its nine-decade history, the hospital has played a pivotal role in addressing diverse health challenges and has become instrumental in producing qualified healthcare professionals. ALERT Hospital's legacy stands as a testament to its commitment to medical care, research, and training, reflecting a remarkable journey of growth and achievement.Located in Addis Ababa, Kolfe Keranyo subcity, Alert has been addressing health problems related to leprosy in our country and has been the only medical research center in this field for the past ninety years. Since 1995, Ethiopia has integrated a combined leprosy tuberculosis control program into basic health services.
Welcome to ALERT Comprehensive Specialized Hospital’s official website. As one of the leading healthcare institutions in Ethiopia, we are dedicated to providing the highest standard of patient care through our specialized services, advanced medical technology, and a highly skilled team of professionals.
Our hospital has a rich history of excellence in healthcare, serving as a beacon of hope for patients not only in Ethiopia but across the region. With a commitment to innovation and quality, we are continuously striving to enhance our services in trauma care, plastic surgery, dermatology, and pediatrics, among other specialties.
Our goal is to ensure that every patient who walks through our doors receives compassionate and comprehensive care. We are actively working to build a state-of-the-art trauma center, a leading plastic surgery and dermatology treatment center, and a specialized children’s hospital to better serve our community.
In partnership with esteemed organizations and professionals around the world, we are enhancing our capabilities to provide top-tier medical services. We are also proud to offer an environment that supports medical research and professional development for our staff.
Thank you for trusting us with your health. Together, we are transforming healthcare and making a lasting impact on the lives of our patients.
To improve the health of our community through provision of integrated comprehensive specialized clinical care, teaching and advanced research.
To be one of the leading National and East African centers of excellence in specialized clinical service, research and post graduate medical education by 2030.
A Center of Excellence within a healthcare institution is a specialized program designed to provide an exceptionally concentrated pool of expertise and related resources in a specific medical field. It operates as an integrated practice unit, adopting a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to deliver optimal patient outcomes. Essentially, Centers of Excellence are hubs where excellence in a particular medical domain is achieved through unique and focused care.
At Alert Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, we are committed to establishing nationally and regionally recognized Centers of Excellence. These centers will focus on delivering outstanding care in key medical areas such as Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dermato-Venerology, Infectious Diseases (TB, HIV), and Trauma Care. By adopting an integrated healthcare delivery model, these centers aim to provide unparalleled medical services with a strong emphasis on excellence and patient-centric care.
The ALERT Hospital Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery Department boasts a rich history spanning over four decades, evolving into a national referral center for Plastic Reconstructive and Hand surgery. Initially founded to provide free medical treatment for leprosy patients, the department has grown into a hub of excellence affiliated with Addis Ababa University College of Health Science. Recognized for its outstanding performance, the center is staffed with highly experienced plastic reconstructive hand surgeons, anesthetists, and scrub nurses. With over sixty surgical beds and affiliations with orthopedic, neurosurgery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and prosthesis orthoses centers, the department is a cornerstone of ALERT Hospital.
The department offers a comprehensive range of services, including hand and peripheral nerve surgeries, acute injuries, post-leprosy complications, oncology surgery, musculoskeletal tumors, head and neck surgery, burn injuries, and more. In addition to the general reconstructive plastic clinic, specialized clinics focus on hand and peripheral nerve, head and neck reconstruction, and craniofacial anomalies. The recently launched day care surgery aims to address patient backlog, while a private wing provides accessible private treatment. Operating around the clock with six operating days in major theaters and seven days at the trauma center, the department is committed to delivering high-quality care. Moreover, it actively engages in teaching and training programs, collaborating with Addis Ababa University, COSECSA, and international organizations to advance education in Plastic Reconstructive and Hand surgery. Short-term attachments further contribute to the department's role in shaping expertise across related disciplines nationwide.
The ALERT Hospital Dermato-venereology Department, with roots dating back to the 1930s and formalized as a department in the 1950s, stands as a pioneer in dermatology services in Ethiopia. Not only is it the main teaching site for Addis Ababa University College of Health Science dermatology specialty students and undergraduate medical students, but it also collaborates closely with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health to support leprosy referral centers nationwide. As the highest dermatology referral hospital in the country, it receives patients from all regions and offers private wing services during weekends and after working hours. Embracing innovation, the department has introduced video conferencing-based Tele-Dermatology to remote referral centers, enhancing accessibility for patients and reducing the need for extensive travel.
Looking to the future, the ALERT Dermatology department envisions establishing a national dermatology center, aiming to lead in dermatologic medical tourism, medical services, and training. Plans include launching a residency program and initiating phototherapy services. Annually, the department handles a significant caseload, attending to over 160,000 outpatients, providing 600 inpatient services, conducting 500 dermato-surgical procedures, and performing 14,000 cryotherapy procedures. With sixty-four ward beds, the department extends its teaching and training services to international trainees, healthcare workers, and collaborates with Addis Ababa University School of Health Sciences. Offering both emergency and regular outpatient and inpatient services, the department diagnoses and treats a wide range of dermatologic disorders, from common conditions to more specialized cases, showcasing its commitment to comprehensive dermatology care. Operating around the clock, the department ensures accessibility with 24-hour services.
The Infectious Disease unit within the Department of Internal Medicine at Alert Comprehensive Specialized Hospital has evolved over three decades into a leading infectious disease center nationally. Notably, our center is recognized for managing the highest caseloads of HIV and TB, including MDR and XDR cases, within the city. Annually, the department delivers services to over fifty thousand patients and clients, with more than thirty thousand receiving outpatient referral chronic care services and over ten thousand benefiting from follow-up services provided by specialists and subspecialists. Our commitment to comprehensive care is evident in the provision of HIV/AIDS care, treatment, and prevention for over 7602 patients, as well as services for MDR and XDR cases.
Operating 24/7, the department offers inpatient services through 50 general ward beds, 22 beds dedicated to multidrug and X drug-resistant tuberculosis, and additional inpatient services provided in collaboration with the emergency and critical care department, culminating in a total of 97 beds for inpatient care. The department actively engages in teaching and training, conducting regular morning sessions and seminars in collaboration with Addis Ababa University's College of Medicine & Health Sciences. Additionally, the department collaborates with the research and training directorate of Alert Comprehensive Specialized Hospital to provide international and national training programs on various medical topics. Services offered encompass inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and interdepartmental consultation, including chronic outpatient clinics, subspecialty and specialty clinics, and dedicated wards for MDR and XDR cases. The department operates during working days for all services, with emergency and inpatient services available 24/7, ensuring comprehensive care throughout the week.
Alert Comprehensive Specialized Hospital stands as the second trauma center in the capital, offering comprehensive trauma care for the past seven years. With an annual influx of nearly 20,000 trauma cases, the hospital is a vital hub for emergency medical services. Currently, the trauma center is undergoing expansion, with construction progress at 40%. The envisioned center will boast a 300-bed ward, operating rooms, and intensive care units (ICUs). Presently, the hospital provides emergency and critical care, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, general surgery, vascular surgery, and neurosurgery. The existing trauma care unit operates around the clock, ensuring access to fully equipped emergency services, a well-established ICU, and over 40 ward beds.
The ongoing development of the trauma center reflects a commitment to enhancing and expanding critical services, aiming to meet the growing demand for trauma care in the region. Alert Comprehensive Specialized Hospital's trauma center is poised to become a leading institution in the provision of comprehensive and advanced trauma care services, contributing significantly to the healthcare landscape of the capital.
Utilizing cutting-edge 3D printing technology, our hospital is at the forefront of innovation in surgical tools, prosthetics, and patient-specific replicas of bones, organs, and blood vessels. Two dedicated biomedical engineers are channeling their expertise towards enhancing the lives of leprosy patients with limb amputations and the broader crippled population. Their focus lies in providing 3D-printed assistive devices, addressing concerns related to cost and weight.
This initiative resulted in the creation of a groundbreaking device, crafted with precision using a 3D printer. The engineers are actively working on developing patient-specific 3D models and exploring novel approaches to rehabilitation through 3D technology. To augment their knowledge and skills, they are undergoing on-the-job training and collaborating with Prof. GM Kim, a highly experienced biomedical engineer from Addis Ababa University and MCM Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (Korean Hospital), renowned for his extensive expertise in 3D scanning and 3D printing.
This collaboration not only empowers the biomedical engineers but also positions our hospital as a hub for cutting-edge advancements in 3D technology. The ability to manufacture equipment and components on-demand through 3D printing offers significant advantages to the healthcare industry, especially in scenarios requiring high levels of customization, such as in the prosthetic and orthotic sector—a pivotal aspect of modern medical applications.
We aimed to investigate the feasibility of assistive technology (AT) devices to improve leprosy patients' occupational performances and satisfaction. By now we are developing a multitude of solution for disability caused by Leprosy. We have successfully accomplished a writing assistive device for a leprosy victim.We are currently working on 2 more projects for grabbing and holding things and tools.The potential of assistive devices to prevent impairments and secondary deformities appears to be relatively well utilized. With an increasing integration of leprosy-related services into general health, rehabilitation and community services, and a widening of the scope of services for people with leprosy, services for provision of assistive devices might become more accessible to people affected by leprosy.
Established in 2021 G.C., our focus on enhancing aesthetics, hospitality, and ergonomics has been unwavering. Pioneering efforts in new construction, expansion, and maintenance began, and in 2022 G.C., we expanded to include a dedicated engineering team. Sustainability of electricity, water, and clean areas remains a priority. Our team comprises diverse professionals, including civil engineers, architects, electrical engineers, and skilled technicians./p>
Our Engineering Case Team brings expertise in new construction assessment, designing architectural and electrical aspects for new buildings, as well as handling landscape and interior design with meticulous construction follow-up. The Production and Workshop Case Team showcases craftsmanship in crafting new office and medical furniture, along with the maintenance and refurbishment of existing furniture. Their proficiency extends to painting, roof, ceiling, and various maintenance tasks.
The Electric and Power Services Case Team excels in installing electric lines, ensuring a 24-hour electricity supply, managing generators and steam production, and providing diligent maintenance of electric utilities. The Water Supply and Sewerage Case Team specializes in the installation of new water and sewerage lines, ensuring an uninterrupted 24-hour water supply, and overseeing the management of sewerage lines, water supply, and overall maintenance.
In summary, Alert Hospital is the only hospital with Engineering and Infrastructure Directorate and it stands uniquely equipped to deliver comprehensive services, boasts a diverse team of experts, prioritizes ongoing training, and is committed to maintaining and enhancing the hospital's physical infrastructure.
In response to Prime Minister H.E Dr. Abiy Ahmed's vision for sustainable development, our hospital has embraced the Lemat's Legacy initiative, an integral part of Ethiopia's green development strategy initiated on November 3, 2022. Emphasizing the critical link between food security and national sovereignty, the Prime Minister urged active citizen participation in achieving swift food self-sufficiency.
Over the past two years, our hospital has undergone a transformative journey to meet the widespread demand. All available open spaces within the hospital premises have been repurposed for urban agriculture, aligning with the government's green development initiative while continuing to provide essential medical services.
Beyond our primary healthcare mission, the hospital is actively involved in agricultural activities, utilizing over seven hectares of land to support the government's drive for enhanced open land usage, fostering both food security and economic development. This multifaceted approach includes cultivating various vegetables and fruit plants over five hectares, maintaining a substantial beekeeping operation with over 50 hives, and engaging in significant cattle breeding activities.
These agricultural endeavors play a pivotal role in advancing the government's vision encapsulated in Lemat's Legacy. The primary beneficiaries of the produce are low-income laborers, and the initiative strives to create job opportunities while making affordable agricultural products accessible to local communities facing disadvantaged economic conditions. At the intersection of healthcare and agriculture, our hospital stands uniquely committed to contributing to a sustainable and prosperous future for our community and the nation.
