Global health and social responsibility: a pilot project of the Medical University of Vienna in eastern Ethiopia.

The Medical University of Vienna and the eastern Ethiopian town of Gedamaytu have established a development collaboration with the aim of improving healthcare for the local population. A health survey of the study region was conducted by the university in February 2009 with the purpose of assessing the burden and spectrum of disease, and to evaluate the potential for improvement of healthcare and plan for future targeted health interventions. The most prevalent diseases in pediatric patients were found to be disorders of the respiratory system, febrile conditions and diarrhea. Adult patients suffered most frequently from disorders of the respiratory system, chronic pain, gastric discomfort and febrile conditions. De-worming was offered to all patients in the course of the survey. The anthropometric evaluation of patient data showed a high rate of growth retardation in children below the age of 5 years. Based on these data and on interviews with the local healthcare personnel, healthcare programs and interventions are discussed with the aim of further improving healthcare provision for the population of Gedamaytu.