The Growing Danger of Health Misinformation in Ethiopia
As a practicing medical doctor in Ethiopia, I am increasingly alarmed by the widespread circulation of health misinformation in our communities. This is more than just a communication challenge it is a growing public health threat that endangers lives and erodes trust in the healthcare system.
False claims are spreading rapidly, particularly through social media, unregulated influencers, and traditional channels. These misleading messages are persuading people to reject proven medical treatments in favor of unverified “natural” or “miracle” remedies, putting countless lives at risk.
I see the impact of this misinformation daily in my clinical work. Patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, HIV/AIDS, heart disease, epilepsy, and mental health conditions often abandon essential medical treatments based on false beliefs. Some delay seeking care, others refuse vaccinations or stop taking their medications altogether. These choices, driven by misinformation, lead to severe health deterioration, unnecessary hospitalizations, and in some cases, preventable deaths.
Such outcomes are deeply troubling and highlight the urgency of the problem. Health misinformation also violates core medical ethics. It undermines the principle of “do no harm” and strips people of their right to make informed health decisions.
The most affected are often those already vulnerablepeople living in poverty, rural areas, or with limited access to accurate information. To reverse this trend, healthcare professionals must become more proactive in community education.
We need to communicate clearly and compassionately, using language people understand. Engaging with trusted community figures such as religious leaders, elders, and even traditional healers can help deliver reliable messages in a culturally relevant manner.
Government action is also essential. Laws must be put in place to penalize those who knowingly spread harmful health misinformation. Fact-checking systems, especially on social media, should be strengthened. Public health campaigns must be expanded and made accessible, using trusted voices to spread correct information. Medical institutions must support continuous training that empowers healthcare workers to communicate better and engage with communities.
If we fail to act now, the damage to our public health and healthcare system will deepen. However, by working together health workers, government, community leaders, and citizens we can restore trust, combat misinformation, and protect the health of our nation.
Dr. Haromsa Zerihun: MD, Lecturer, Arsi University
@HakimEthio
As a practicing medical doctor in Ethiopia, I am increasingly alarmed by the widespread circulation of health misinformation in our communities. This is more than just a communication challenge it is a growing public health threat that endangers lives and erodes trust in the healthcare system.
False claims are spreading rapidly, particularly through social media, unregulated influencers, and traditional channels. These misleading messages are persuading people to reject proven medical treatments in favor of unverified “natural” or “miracle” remedies, putting countless lives at risk.
I see the impact of this misinformation daily in my clinical work. Patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, HIV/AIDS, heart disease, epilepsy, and mental health conditions often abandon essential medical treatments based on false beliefs. Some delay seeking care, others refuse vaccinations or stop taking their medications altogether. These choices, driven by misinformation, lead to severe health deterioration, unnecessary hospitalizations, and in some cases, preventable deaths.
Such outcomes are deeply troubling and highlight the urgency of the problem. Health misinformation also violates core medical ethics. It undermines the principle of “do no harm” and strips people of their right to make informed health decisions.
The most affected are often those already vulnerablepeople living in poverty, rural areas, or with limited access to accurate information. To reverse this trend, healthcare professionals must become more proactive in community education.
We need to communicate clearly and compassionately, using language people understand. Engaging with trusted community figures such as religious leaders, elders, and even traditional healers can help deliver reliable messages in a culturally relevant manner.
Government action is also essential. Laws must be put in place to penalize those who knowingly spread harmful health misinformation. Fact-checking systems, especially on social media, should be strengthened. Public health campaigns must be expanded and made accessible, using trusted voices to spread correct information. Medical institutions must support continuous training that empowers healthcare workers to communicate better and engage with communities.
If we fail to act now, the damage to our public health and healthcare system will deepen. However, by working together health workers, government, community leaders, and citizens we can restore trust, combat misinformation, and protect the health of our nation.
Dr. Haromsa Zerihun: MD, Lecturer, Arsi University
@HakimEthio
ለሚመለከተው ሁሉ
እኔን በማስመሰል TikTok በሚባለው ደብተር ላይ ብዙ ስለኔ እንደሚባል ብዙ ሰው ነገረኝ። እናም ከተወለድኩ ዠምሮ TikTok የሚባለውን ደብተር ተጠቅሜ እንደማላውቅ ልብ በሉልኝ።
ዶ/ር ፈቀደ አግዋር ፤ የልብ ቀዶ ህክምና ሀኪም
@HakimEthio
እኔን በማስመሰል TikTok በሚባለው ደብተር ላይ ብዙ ስለኔ እንደሚባል ብዙ ሰው ነገረኝ። እናም ከተወለድኩ ዠምሮ TikTok የሚባለውን ደብተር ተጠቅሜ እንደማላውቅ ልብ በሉልኝ።
ዶ/ር ፈቀደ አግዋር ፤ የልብ ቀዶ ህክምና ሀኪም
@HakimEthio
Meet Dr. Jiregna Mesele, the Gold Medalist from Ambo University's Medicine class of 2025, with a CGPA of 3.74.
@HakimEthio
@HakimEthio
Meet Dr. Leta Dereje, the Gold Medalist from Jimma University's medicine class of 2025, with a CGPA of 3.88.
@HakimEthio
@HakimEthio
"🌟 At Onco Advanced Diagnostics Center, we provide comprehensive semen analysis to help you understand your reproductive health. Our expert team is here to support you every step of the way!
Visit our branches
📍Enkulal fabrica beside Noc gas station
📍Around Alert hospital, In front of Abune aregawi church
📞0945606969| 0949065555| 0949045555
#Fertility #SemenAnalysis #HealthCare
#OncoAdvancedDiagnostics #Open24Hours #HealthcareExcellence
Visit our branches
📍Enkulal fabrica beside Noc gas station
📍Around Alert hospital, In front of Abune aregawi church
📞0945606969| 0949065555| 0949045555
#Fertility #SemenAnalysis #HealthCare
#OncoAdvancedDiagnostics #Open24Hours #HealthcareExcellence
✨PSF (PEDICELE SCREW FIXATION) For L2 Burst fracture
📌 Patient overview
27 year old male presented with falling down accident of 12 hrs duration. The fall occurred after he accidentally touched a high voltage electric wire. He fell from a 1st floor building and landed on his back. Currently complains of back pain.
📌Physical exam
GA- ASL
VS- All are in normal range
PE- Unremarkable exam
📌Investigation
Brain, Cervical & Lumbar CT Scan :- L2 level spinal compression fracture
📌Diagnosis
ASIA E Spinal cord injury secondary to L2 burst fracture (unstable) with retro pulsed bone fragments inside the spinal canal secondary to fall down accident
📌Procedure
Op Name -> PSF (PEDICELE SCREW FIXATION)
Operation note
Under GA and LA, pt intubated and positioned prone. Operation site cleaned and draped under aseptic technique. After localization of fixation site under G-ARM, mid line incision done. Subperiosteal dissection done to expose L1,L2 and L3 transverses process and facet joint. Using G-ARM, entry point, trajectory of pedicle SCREW insertion of L1 and L3 done bilaterally. Rod length measured and fixed with screws. Hemostasis secured and vancomycine applied in the surgical site. Muscle approximated and fascia closed and finally skin closed in layers.
📌Post op
The patient has smooth course.
Post op Thoraco lumbar spine AP & lateral X-Ray :- Well aligned pedicle and screw in place stabilizing the L2 fracture.
✨Our Neurosurgery department led by Dr. Assefa Kiflu, a highly skilled & experienced Neurosurgeon, Has successfully performed numerous complex & high impact procedure. This operation stands as a prime example of our department's expertise & commitment to excellence.
⭐️ ICMC General Hospital ⭐️
"we care for your health"
For more information and appointment
☎️ 0116678646 / 0949020202
or free call 📞 9207
Telegram- https://www.tg-me.com/icmcgeneralhospital
📍Around CMC square behind Tsehay Real Estate
@HakimEthio
📌 Patient overview
27 year old male presented with falling down accident of 12 hrs duration. The fall occurred after he accidentally touched a high voltage electric wire. He fell from a 1st floor building and landed on his back. Currently complains of back pain.
📌Physical exam
GA- ASL
VS- All are in normal range
PE- Unremarkable exam
📌Investigation
Brain, Cervical & Lumbar CT Scan :- L2 level spinal compression fracture
📌Diagnosis
ASIA E Spinal cord injury secondary to L2 burst fracture (unstable) with retro pulsed bone fragments inside the spinal canal secondary to fall down accident
📌Procedure
Op Name -> PSF (PEDICELE SCREW FIXATION)
Operation note
Under GA and LA, pt intubated and positioned prone. Operation site cleaned and draped under aseptic technique. After localization of fixation site under G-ARM, mid line incision done. Subperiosteal dissection done to expose L1,L2 and L3 transverses process and facet joint. Using G-ARM, entry point, trajectory of pedicle SCREW insertion of L1 and L3 done bilaterally. Rod length measured and fixed with screws. Hemostasis secured and vancomycine applied in the surgical site. Muscle approximated and fascia closed and finally skin closed in layers.
📌Post op
The patient has smooth course.
Post op Thoraco lumbar spine AP & lateral X-Ray :- Well aligned pedicle and screw in place stabilizing the L2 fracture.
✨Our Neurosurgery department led by Dr. Assefa Kiflu, a highly skilled & experienced Neurosurgeon, Has successfully performed numerous complex & high impact procedure. This operation stands as a prime example of our department's expertise & commitment to excellence.
⭐️ ICMC General Hospital ⭐️
"we care for your health"
For more information and appointment
☎️ 0116678646 / 0949020202
or free call 📞 9207
Telegram- https://www.tg-me.com/icmcgeneralhospital
📍Around CMC square behind Tsehay Real Estate
@HakimEthio
A_Case_of_Arrhythmogenic_Right_Ventricular_Cardiomyopathy_with_Symptomatic.pdf
1.4 MB
A case of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopayhy with symptomatic arrhythmia.
Alebachew Girum, Habtamu Gebeyehu, Kibrom Mulugeta, Seifu Bacha, Mekonen Birhanu, Fitsum Negusse
https://journal.medtigo.com/a-case-of-arrhythmogenic-right-ventricular-cardiomyopathy-with-symptomatic-arrhythmia/
To send your papers use @HakimAds
@HakimEthio
Alebachew Girum, Habtamu Gebeyehu, Kibrom Mulugeta, Seifu Bacha, Mekonen Birhanu, Fitsum Negusse
https://journal.medtigo.com/a-case-of-arrhythmogenic-right-ventricular-cardiomyopathy-with-symptomatic-arrhythmia/
To send your papers use @HakimAds
@HakimEthio