About the department
About the Department
The Department of Orthopedics & Traumatology at Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC) is a cornerstone of surgical care in Ethiopia. Serving a catchment population of nearly 20 million people, the department provides comprehensive musculoskeletal and trauma services to communities across South West Ethiopia, including Oromia, Gambella, SNNP, and Benishangul-Gumuz, as well as patients referred from South Sudan.
Our Evolution
2006–2019: Orthopedic services were delivered mainly by general surgeons with support from visiting Swiss surgeons.
2018: Appointment of the first Ethiopian Orthopedic Surgeon marked a major milestone.
January 2021: The unit officially became a full-fledged Department with four Ethiopian Orthopedic Surgeons.
March 2022: Launch of the Orthopedics & Traumatology Residency Training Program.
Vision
To be a leading national and regional Center of Excellence in Orthopedics and Traumatology, aligned with Jimma University’s vision, by advancing innovative research, delivering compassionate and high-quality musculoskeletal care, and transforming surgical education to reduce the burden of musculoskeletal disease in Ethiopia.
Mission
- To educate and train competent, compassionate, and professional orthopedic and trauma surgeons.
- To provide ethical, evidence-based, and patient-centered musculoskeletal care.
- To advance orthopedic science through meaningful and innovative research.
- To develop sustainable, context-appropriate solutions to address the national burden of trauma and orthopedic disease.
Department Administration
Strategic Directions
- Improve access to safe, high-quality surgical care.
- Undertake high-quality research and publish in reputable journals.
- Increase the number of specialist and sub-specialist surgeons and retain experienced staff.
- Strengthen collaboration with local, national, and international partners in academics and service.
Leadership and Coordination
- Head of Department:Yohannes Shugie
- Postgraduate Program Coordinator:Barnabas Wondimu
- Undergraduate Program Coordinator:Biniam Tadesse
- Research Coordinator:Kajela Abu
- Prosthesis & Orthosis Center Director:Mulugeta Bekele
Facilities and Services
The department provides 24/7 emergency orthopedic and trauma services supported by a structured elective care system.
Clinical Services
Surgical Services: More than 130 orthopedic and trauma surgeries are performed monthly, including emergency and elective procedures.
Outpatient Care: The Orthopedic Referral Clinic (ORC) operates five days per week, including a dedicated SIGN clinic, serving approximately 400–500 patients per month.
Infrastructure
Inpatient Ward: 82-bed orthopedic and trauma ward.
Operating Theaters: One emergency operating theater and two fully functional elective orthopedic operating theaters, with one functional fluoroscope.
Diagnostic Services: Access to X-ray and CT scan facilities.
Programs
Residency Training Program
The Department runs a structured four-year Orthopedics & Traumatology residency program aimed at producing skilled and independent surgeons capable of working in resource-limited settings.
Academic Activities
- Daily morning academic sessions
- Weekly major seminars
- Friday postoperative case discussions
- Journal club sessions twice per month
- Strong emphasis on research, infection prevention and control (IPC), and hygiene
Research Program
The department is committed to high-quality, evidence-based research that informs clinical practice and policy.
CORE Trauma Registry
A cornerstone of departmental research is the CORE Trauma Registry, a comprehensive database for systematic documentation and analysis of orthopedic trauma cases. Two dedicated clinical data collectors support the registry, fully funded by the GO STAR Foundation.
Ongoing Resident Research Projects
Final-year residents are actively leading research projects focused on functional outcomes, infection prevention, and trauma care in resource-limited settings.
| Resident Investigator | Research Topic |
| Dr. Sudi Temam | Assessment Of Functional Outcome Of Pediatric Femur Shaft Fracture Treated By Open Reduction & Flexible Intramedullary Nail With Out Fluoroscopic Guidance At Jimma University Medical Center |
| Dr. Abdulhakim Kemal | Assessments Of Functional Outcome And Its Associated Factors Of Subtrochanteric Fractures Patients Treated With Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) Nailing: A Multicenter Retrospective Cross-sectional Study |
| Dr. Manal Mohamed | Functional outcome of distal femur fracture treated with open reduction and internal fixation without C-Arm in Jimma university medical center |
| Dr. Sherefudin Hassen | Nutritional Status and Its Associated Factors among Patients Underwent Open Reduction and Internal Fixation Procedures at Jimma University Medical Center, Ethiopia |
| Dr. Hana O. | Functional Outcome of Pediatric Humerus Supracondylar Fractures Managed with Open Reduction and Percutaneous Pinning in a Resource-Limited Setting Without Fluoroscopy |
| Dr. Andualem Tesfaye | Prevalence of Infection and Associated Factor after Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) Nailing for Treatment of Long Bone Fractures in Adults at Jimma University Medical Center |
Staff Profile
The Department of Orthopedics & Traumatology is staffed by a multidisciplinary and highly committed team:
5 General Orthopedic Surgeons
1 Trauma and Arthroplasty Subspecialist
2 Fellowship-trained Surgeons
23 Orthopedic Surgery Residents (Years I–IV)
Dedicated scrub nurses and ward nurses
The department benefits from continuous mentorship and visiting faculty through international collaborations.
Student Demography
The academic arm of the department is rapidly expanding through its residency program.
Total Residents: 23
Training Duration: Four-year specialty program (Year I–IV)
Gender Representation: Two female residents currently enrolled
The department is committed to promoting diversity, academic excellence, and leadership among future orthopedic and trauma surgeons.
| Lists of Residents | |
| Year IV | |
| 1 | Dr Abdulhakim Kemal |
| 2 | Dr Andualem Tesfaye |
| 3 | Dr Hana Omar |
| 4 | Dr Manal Mohammed |
| 5 | Dr Sherefudin Hassan |
| 6 | Dr Sudi Temam |
| Year III | |
| 7 | Dr Nurtata Shemsu |
| 8 | Dr Samuel Olani |
| 9 | Dr Shakir Abdi |
| 10 | Dr Tessema Adafre |
| 11 | Dr Yohannes Zerihun |
| Year II | |
| 12 | Dr Buzayehu Ayele |
| 13 | Dr Gemechu Dereje |
| 14 | Dr Kango Kariso |
| 15 | Dr Kedir Seid |
| 16 | Dr Mohammed Melaku |
| 17 | Dr Omer Mohammed |
| Year I | |
| 18 | Dr Abdulahi Diriye |
| 19 | Dr Ahmed Kedir |
| 20 | Dr FiraolLechisa |
| 21 | Dr Malual Chiran |
| 22 | Dr Mo’ibonChemeda |
| 23 | Dr Ibrahim Worku |
Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations
The Department of Orthopedics & Traumatology at Jimma University thrives through strategic international partnerships. These collaborations are essential in bridging the gap between resource-limited settings and high-quality surgical care, focusing on infrastructure, technology, and advanced specialist training.
- GO STAR Foundation (Swiss Surgeons in Ethiopia)
The partnership with the GO STAR Foundation is the bedrock of our department’s history and current operations. Founded in 2009 by Dr. Jörg (Pele) Peltzer and Swiss colleagues, the foundation established Ethiopia’s first trauma surgery center at Jimma University in 2006.
Initially led by Swiss specialists, the department has transitioned to Ethiopian leadership while maintaining full sponsorship from GO STAR. Their comprehensive support includes:
Infrastructure & Equipment: Furnishing and equipping our wards and operating theaters with high-tech orthopedic implants.
Clinical Excellence: Ongoing training for staff in Hygiene and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC).
Current Strategic Initiatives:
- Prosthesis & Orthosis Centre (POC): Re-establishing a fully funded center to provide mobility aids.
- Sterilization Excellence: Establishing a high-tech cleaning and modern sterilization department.
- Research & Data: Funding the departmental research team and the CORE trauma registry database.
- Human Capital: Sponsoring surgeons for sub-specialty fellowships to achieve our vision of becoming a Center of Excellence.
- SIGN Fracture Care International
Since 2023, SIGN Fracture Care International has been a vital partner in expanding our surgical reach. SIGN specializes in providing orthopedic solutions designed specifically for environments without consistent access to electricity or expensive imaging like fluoroscopy.
Key impacts of this partnership include:
Surgical Implants: Providing the SIGN Nailing system, which allows our surgeons to perform complex fracture fixations in resource-limited settings?
Mentorship and Training: Continuous support and education for our residents and surgeons to enhance local surgical capacity.
Empowerment: Strengthening the ability of Jimma University to provide safe, effective fracture care to thousands of patients across Southern Ethiopia, ensuring they return to functional lives.
Orthopedics and Traumatology |