Jimma University Clinical Trial Unit successfully led and coordinated field implementation across all sites by providing free medical screening to more than 12,000 residents across Jimma, Shashemene, and Addis Ababa. The activity forms part of the Leprosy Case Detection and Assessing Stigma & Mental Health in Potential Hotspot Areas in Ethiopia (LeAP-Ethiopia) project.
The screenings included assessments for hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), body mass index (BMI), leprosy, and other neglected skin diseases. Preliminary findings revealed a significant number of newly identified and previously known cases, including elevated blood pressure (n=743), high blood glucose levels (n=470), Clinically identified and laboratory confirmed leprosy (n=30) and a range of skin conditions such as cutaneous leishmaniasis, onychomycosis, podoconiosis, lymphoma, pityriasis, and vitiligo. These findings highlight the urgent need to expand access to early diagnosis and care.
Guided by its motto, “We are in the Community!”, Jimma University remains accessible, responsive, and actively engaged with the communities it serves. This initiative stands as a strong testament to the power of collaborative partnerships in advancing early disease detection, addressing neglected tropical diseases, and improving public health outcomes in Ethiopia.
Jimma University also extends its sincere appreciation to its long-standing international partners the CIHLMU (Center for International Health and the Institute for Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine at LMU Munich), Germany for technical collaboration and continued support.
The University proudly acknowledges the incredible support of the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (EKFS), which made this initiative possible.
We are in the community!
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E-mail: ero@ju.edu.e