Historical Background

The Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery at ALERT Hospital holds the distinction of being one of the oldest departments, boasting over forty years of dedicated service. Originally established to provide free medical treatment for leprosy patients, it has evolved into a national referral center for Plastic Reconstructive and Hand surgery. In collaboration with Addis Ababa University College of Health Science, the department is affiliated for postgraduate programs in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at both specialty and subspecialty levels. The department collaborates closely with physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and prosthesis orthoses centers, which are integral components of rehabilitation services. This synergy positions ALERT Hospital as an ideal hub for comprehensive rehabilitation, further enhancing its reputation as a leader in Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery. Renowned for its longstanding commitment to excellence, the department is staffed by highly experienced and compassionate plastic reconstructive hand surgeons, anesthetists, and scrub nurses.

Yearly Performance

Annually, the department achieves the following milestones in its dedicated service:

• More than 2,000 surgeries
• Over 2,500 admissions
• Exceeding 12,800 outpatient follow-ups.

Qualifications & Number of Health Professionals

The General Surgery Department comprises a skilled team of healthcare professionals, including:

• Specialists in general surgery
• Vascular surgeon
• Urology surgeon
• Pediatric surgeon
• Hepatobiliary surgeon
• General surgery residents
• General practitioners
• Clinical nurses
• Surgical nurses
• Public health professional

Number of Operating Tables/Theaters

The department is equipped with three distinct operating theaters, namely Major I, Major II, and Trauma, complemented by a total of five operating tables.

Number of Beds

The department comprises a total of sixty beds in the male and female wards. Additionally, there are fifty shared beds with the Orthopedic and Neurosurgery units at the trauma center. Furthermore, the department is equipped with five outpatient tables dedicated to patient follow-up services.

• 18 beds in the General Surgery ward
• 5 beds in the Trauma ward
• 22 beds in the Ophthalmology ward
• 18 beds in Ward 9

Teaching/ Training Services

The department actively engages in various teaching and training activities, including: A postgraduate teaching program in Plastic Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, conducted in collaboration with Addis Ababa University College of Health Sciences. A postgraduate subspecialty fellowship teaching program, established in partnership with the College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA). Collaborative teaching initiatives with international organizations such as 2nd Chance, BFIRST, Resurge International, The Smile Train, among others. Provision of short-term attachment teaching for postgraduate students from diverse disciplines, including General Surgery, Orthopedics, Maxillofacial Surgery, Neurosurgery, and more, from various universities across the country.

Forms of Services

The department delivers healthcare services across inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings. Additionally, it operates specialized clinics, including the Planning Clinic, Ulcer Clinic, and Trauma Follow-up Clinics.

Service Hours

The department extends the aforementioned services across both public and private wings. While all services mentioned are available during regular working hours on weekdays, emergency and inpatient services remain accessible outside of working hours, ensuring continuous coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Hand and peripheral nerve surgeries, encompassing procedures like brachial plexus surgery.
• Management of acute injuries, such as tendon injuries and peripheral nerve injuries.
• Treatment for non-traumatic conditions, including post-leprosy complications.
• Leprosy reconstructive surgery.
• Oncology surgery.
• Addressing various types of skin tumors, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
• Treatment for different musculoskeletal tumors along with soft tissue coverage using various flaps.
• Head and Neck surgery, including excision and soft tissue coverage.
• Management of congenital craniofacial anomalies, such as cleft lip and palate.
• Handling acute facial injuries, such as Maxillofacial and orthogenetic surgery.
• Burn injury management, covering flame, electrical, chemical burns, and their sequelae like post-burn contracture.

Furthermore, the department plans to launch Microsurgery services in the near future. In addition to the general reconstructive plastic clinic, the department has introduced various subspecialty clinics:

• Hand and Peripheral Nerve Clinic
• Head and Neck Reconstruction Clinic
• Craniofacial Clinic

The recently launched day care surgery is an effective measure to address the backlog of patients waiting for reconstructive surgery. For those who can afford it, the private wing surgery provides an opportunity for private treatment at an acceptable price. This ensures that patients have diverse options for receiving high-quality care tailored to their individual needs.