On August 4, 2025, a crucial collaborative visit and discussion took place at Arsi University, where a team from the University of Munich Hospital, part of Germany’s Aspire project, met with representatives from Jimma University. This partnership, which includes institutions such as Heinrich-Heine University Clinic, Jimma University Medical Center, Arsi University Hirsch Institute and others across Ethiopia, Ghana, and India, aims to improve health quality in hospitals nationwide.
The visit featured a presentation by Professor Arne Kroidl from the University of Munich Hospital, who detailed the objectives of the Aspire project. Dr. Tafesa Beyene, the principal investigator of Aspire at Arsi University, welcomed the delegation and introduced key participants, including higher officials from the College of Health Sciences.
The session was officially launched by Dr. Gadisa Dejene, chief executive director of the College of Health Sciences at Arsi University.
Central to the presentation were initiatives in Antimicrobial Stewardship and the Prevention of Infection and Resistance in Africa. These initiatives are focused on assessing the impact of improved hospital hygiene interventions on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) among hospitalized patients. Using a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial (SW-CRT) design, the project aims to collect and analyze robust data while implementing targeted interventions across various hospital wards, including Surgical Wards, Medical Wards, and Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
In addition to the presentations, the team conducted site visits to various wards at Asella Teaching and Referral Hospital. These visits were essential for identifying appropriate clusters for the study and ensuring that interventions are tailored to the specific needs of each ward. This collaborative effort is expected to significantly reduce healthcare-associated infections, thereby improving patient outcomes and elevating the quality of care in hospitals throughout the regions.
Like Our Star Athletes, Excelling Professionals!
