Ethiopia addresses pediatric cancer care gap through new partnerships and advocacy

Her father, Bitew Tesfaye, a subsistence farmer, took her to Addis Ababa for treatment at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. After a prolonged search, she was diagnosed with blood cancer. Bitew Tesfaye faced financial hardship until he found Tesfa Addis Parents Children Cancer Center, a nonprofit that provided Meseret with support, allowing her father to return home.

Meseret's condition has since improved significantly after multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. Her story highlights a long-standing gap in Ethiopia's pediatric cancer care, which has historically been overshadowed by infectious diseases and limited resources. Recent efforts, including those by the Ethiopian Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, aim to expand specialized services and raise awareness.

On April 7, 2026, an event marked the inauguration of a new office for the Ethiopian Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Association and the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Tesfa Addis Parents Children Cancer Organization. This agreement formalizes a partnership to combine clinical expertise with social support, addressing both medical and non-medical burdens. Lelise Dhugaa, commissioner of the Oromia Tourism Commission and a cancer survivor, was named national honorary ambassador for pediatric oncology and hematology.

She will advocate for early detection and challenge the perception that a c