The Dentistry service at Wollega University was established in 2010 E.C.  by two dental general practitioners, integrating both clinical care and academic training. In 2016 E.C., the service expanded to include Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS), initially launched by a single maxillofacial surgeon. Today, the department has grown to feature two oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Consequently, Wollega University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital delivers robust clinical and academic services powered by a dedicated team of one dental general practitioner and two oral and maxillofacial surgeons

Vission the department-To be one of Dental teaching center by accepting both under graduate and postgraduate students which prepare compassionate ,skilled and ethical dental professionals.

Mission of the department-To provide high-quality, evidence-based dental  and maxillofacial education and patient care.

Human resource under the department

1.two maxillofacial surgeon

2.one dental general practitioner

3.six nurses

The major services under the department and their capacity

Patient education

Simple and complex tooth extraction

Treatment of maxillofacial trauma

Treatment of maxillofacial benign odontogenic tumor

Treatment of maxillofacial benign non odontogenic tumor

Treatment of maxillofacial cyst

Treatment of maxillofacial congenital abnormality

Treatment of Orofacial cancer

Treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder

Treatment of maxillofacial pain

Treatment of salivary gland disease

Facial reconstructive surgery and etc…

The achievement of the department so far in both academic and clinical services

Clinically -the above mentioned services are providing at our hospital.

Academically -class lecture and practical education is providing for medical students

Currently we have two functional dental units which has no hand piece and one nonfunctional dental x-ray. Therefore for full clinical service we need functional dental x-ray ,dental chair, micro motor and bone cutting machine.

Note-since our department is emerging department we need support and encourage from administrative to provide quality care for our patients.

History of the Department

Establishment (2010 E.C.)

The department’s specialized focus on child health developed from the establishment of a dedicated unit in 2010 E.C. under the Institute of Health Sciences. Initially, the unit aimed to address the significant shortage of child and newborn health professionals by providing specialized training programs to help close regional workforce gaps.

Transition to Specialized Medical Care

As Wollega University expanded its School of Medicine, the unit developed into a full academic and clinical department.

Launch of the Residency Program

To help address the shortage of senior medical specialists in Western Ethiopia, the department launched a postgraduate medical residency program in Pediatrics and Child Health.

Vision and Mission

Vision

To become a leading, community-oriented center of excellence in pediatric education, clinical care, and child health research in East Africa, while contributing actively to the reduction of child and neonatal mortality.

Mission

To train competent, ethical, and innovative pediatricians and child health professionals; provide high-quality, evidence-based preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services; and lead community-based research that addresses local and national child health challenges.

Human Resources and Existing Health Services

The department operates through a multidisciplinary team of clinical and academic staff, including:

·         Pediatric specialists and senior staff: Consultant pediatricians and newly graduated specialists who oversee specialized patient care, supervise student clinical rotations, and support resident training.

·         Subspecialty and specialized units: Emerging specialized services include the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, which works with national and international networks to strengthen cancer care.

·         Medical residents: Pediatric resident physicians provide round-the-clock care in the emergency and inpatient departments.

Major Clinical Services

The department provides a broad range of services for newborns, infants, and children:

·         Pediatric Outpatient Department (OPD): General consultations, management of childhood illnesses, and routine health assessments.

·         Pediatric Emergency and Triage: 24-hour emergency assessment, triage, and stabilization of children with life-threatening conditions.

·         Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): Specialized care for premature, low-birth-weight, and critically ill newborns.

·         Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit: Specialized assessment, monitoring, and treatment of children with cancers and blood disorders.

·         Nutritional Stabilization and Rehabilitation: Inpatient management of severe acute malnutrition in infants and children.

·         Pediatric Follow-up Clinics: Ongoing monitoring and management of chronic conditions, recovery, and long-term health needs.

Academic Programs and Achievements

The Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at the Wollega University Institute of Health Sciences (WUIHS) has made progress in undergraduate medical education, postgraduate training, and specialized medical residency programs.

Undergraduate Medical Education

The department plays an important role in the clinical education of undergraduate medical students. It provides bedside teaching, classroom lectures, clinical skills development, and supervision of pediatric ward rotations.

Postgraduate Medical Residency

The department established a medical specialty residency program to train general practitioners to become specialists in Pediatrics and Child Health.

First Specialist Graduation (2025)

In 2025, the department reached a major milestone by graduating its first group of Pediatrics and Child Health specialist doctors. According to the information provided, the program has graduated six specialists and currently has ten residents in training.

Medical Equipment and Diagnostic Capacity

To support pediatric diagnosis and critical care, the university hospital uses advanced imaging services and essential ward-level life-support equipment.

Advanced Imaging: MRI and CT

Wollega University Comprehensive Specialized Teaching Hospital has acquired a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine. This service can support advanced neuro-oncology, brain, and musculoskeletal imaging for pediatric patients locally, potentially reducing the need for families to travel approximately 330 km to Addis Ababa for certain investigations. CT imaging is also included among the hospital’s advanced imaging capabilities.

Critical Care Equipment

The NICU and Pediatric Emergency Unit use essential equipment, including infant incubators to maintain thermal stability in premature newborns; phototherapy machines to treat neonatal jaundice; infusion pumps for accurate pediatric medication delivery; and oxygen concentrators and CPAP machines to support infants with respiratory distress.

 Need for a Dedicated Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

The Department of Pediatrics and Child Health is seeking to establish a dedicated Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) to strengthen the management of critically ill children. Establishing this unit requires essential life-support equipment, including mechanical ventilators, as well as other critical-care medical devices and supplies.

 Conclusion

The Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at Wollega University plays an important role in child health service delivery, medical education, specialist training, and research in Western Oromia. Continued investment in human resources, diagnostic capacity, and critical-care equipment, particularly the establishment of a dedicated PICU, would further strengthen the department’s ability to provide comprehensive care for newborns and children.

Historical Background

The Department of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care (EMCC) is more than a clinical service. It is a team of professionals who come together every day to care for patients at some of the most critical moments of their lives, while also training the next generation of emergency and critical care professionals.

The Department of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care (EMCC) was established in March 2009 E.C. as a dedicated academic and clinical department. At its establishment, the department began its work with six general practitioners and one specialist physician, providing emergency and critical care while also taking responsibility for teaching and professional development.

Since its establishment, the department has continued to grow in clinical service, postgraduate education, undergraduate teaching, professional development, research, quality improvement, and community service. Today, EMCC provides continuous, time-sensitive care for patients with acute illness and injury and supports the development of emergency and critical care capacity in Western Oromia.

 Our Service Volume and Impact

The hospital has provided emergency and critical care services since it began operation in May 2009 E.C. The departmental reference records the following service volume for 2018 E.C.:

·         9,935 patients received Emergency Department care during the year.

·         391 patients were admitted for inpatient critical care.

·         273 ICU patients (69.8%) recovered and were discharged home.

·         118 ICU patients died, corresponding to an ICU mortality rate of approximately 30%.

·          The reference further reports that Emergency Department mortality had been reduced to below 1%.

These figures demonstrate both the high volume of acute-care patients served and the department’s contribution to timely emergency and critical care in the region.

Our Vision and Mission

Vision

Wollega University, Emergency Departemnt aspires to be one of the top ten Best Emergency Department  in Africa by 2042.

Mission

1.       Provide timely, safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care to patients with acute illness and injury.

2.       Recognize and stabilize critically ill patients early through effective triage, resuscitation, airway management, monitoring, and coordinated referral.

3.       Train competent and compassionate emergency medicine and critical care professionals.

4.       Create an environment where learning, teaching, research, and quality improvement are part of everyday clinical practice.

5.       Strengthen emergency preparedness and extend emergency-care knowledge into the community and prehospital setting.

Our current staff profile

Emergency and critical care is fundamentally a team effort. Our department brings together physicians, residents, general practitioners, nurses, and other professionals who work together to respond to emergencies, care for critically ill patients, and support learners.

We are committed to developing our people through practical training, mentorship, continuing professional development, simulation, research-methodology activities, and opportunities to strengthen clinical teaching and supervision.

Emergency care

·         Emergency triage and prioritization.

·         Rapid assessment and stabilization of critically ill patients.

·         Adult medical and surgical emergencies.

·         Trauma and injury care.

·         Emergency airway management and respiratory support.

·         Cardiovascular emergencies, including cardiac arrest and acute coronary syndromes.

·         Neurological emergencies, including stroke, seizures, and altered consciousness.

·         Poisoning and toxicological emergencies.

·         Sepsis and infectious disease emergencies.

·         Emergency procedures, resuscitation, and coordination of referral and consultation.

Critical care

·         Care of critically ill medical and surgical patients.

·         Management of severe sepsis and septic shock.

·         Management of respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

·         Mechanical ventilation and respiratory support.

·         Management of severe neurological emergencies and traumatic brain injury.

·         Management of severe poisoning and toxicological emergencies.

·         Hemodynamic monitoring and resuscitation.

·         Management of severe metabolic and electrolyte disturbances.

·         Post-resuscitation care and support of patients with multiple organ dysfunction.

Education, Training and Community Service

Teaching is an important part of who we are. We believe that every emergency can also be an opportunity to learn, improve practice, and build the skills of the next generation of healthcare professionals.

·         Emergency Medicine and Critical Care residency training.

·         Undergraduate medical student teaching.

·         Internship and clinical attachment supervision.

·         Bedside teaching and case-based discussion.

·         Journal clubs, seminars, academic conferences, and morbidity and mortality review.

·         Simulation and procedural skills training.

·         Clinical research and quality improvement activities.

·         Training-of-Trainers (TOT) on strengthening community-based emergency and prehospital care for healthcare professionals working outside the hospital.

One of our important community-focused activities has been the provision of Training-of-Trainers (TOT) on strengthening community-based emergency and prehospital care for healthcare professionals outside the hospital. Through this initiative, the department contributes not only to care within WUCSH, but also to strengthening the wider emergency-care system. The goal is to improve early recognition of emergencies, appropriate initial response, timely referral, and continuity of care before patients reach hospital.

What We Do

Our work begins when a patient arrives with an emergency. We aim to recognize danger sign early, start treatment without unnecessary delay, stabilize the patient, and coordinate the next step of care.

Academic and Clinical Achievements

1)      Establishment and implementation of the EMCC residency training program.

2)      Development of a postgraduate learning environment for emergency medicine and critical care.

3)      Ongoing supervision and training of EMCC residents.

4)      Regular academic teaching, case discussions, seminars, journal clubs, and clinical learning activities.

5)      Simulation-based resuscitation and procedural skills development.

6)      Training-of-Trainers (TOT) on community-based emergency and prehospital care for healthcare professionals outside the hospital.

7)      Provision of continuous emergency and critical care for patients with acute and life-threatening conditions.

8)      Participation in quality improvement and patient-safety activities.

9)      Promotion of research and academic development.

 Quality and Patient Safety

We believe that quality improvement is not a one-time project; it is a way of working. The department uses practical review, audit, feedback, and teamwork to identify problems and improve care.

·         Triage quality and early recognition of critically ill patients.

·         Resuscitation and crash-cart readiness.

·         Airway management and procedural competence.

·         Critical care monitoring and documentation.

·         Medication safety.

·         Referral and consultation communication.

·         Clinical audits of high-risk or high-volume conditions.

·         CAUTI prevention, sepsis pathway improvement, infection prevention, and documentation quality.

Equipment and Infrastructure: Where Support Can Make a Difference

Emergency medicine is highly dependent on functional equipment. A skilled team can save lives, but the team also needs the right tools at the right time. The department therefore welcomes partners who can help strengthen essential equipment and infrastructure.

Key Challenges and Partnership Priorities

·         Limited availability of functional mechanical ventilators in the Emergency Department and ICU.

·         Nonfunctional or insufficient patient monitoring equipment.

·         Need of emergency medication timely

·         Need for a functional Emergency Department isolation area.

·         Need to improve ICU isolation capacity and functionality.

·         Need for Emergency Department renovation and service expansion.

·         Need for additional emergency and critical care specialists and trained nurses.

·         Need for stronger simulation and procedural training capacity.

·         Need for improved academic and working space for residents and staff.

Why Partner With Us?

Every day, patients arrive at our Emergency Department at moments when time matters most. Our responsibility is to respond quickly, treat patients safely, support families, and give critically ill patients the best possible chance of recovery.

At the same time, we are building a department that does more than provide bedside care. We train future specialists, support other healthcare professionals, take emergency-care knowledge into the community, participate in research, and continuously look for practical ways to improve the quality of care.

A partnership with the EMCC Department is therefore an opportunity to make a direct contribution to patient care while also helping build sustainable emergency and critical care capacity in Western Oromia.

·         Improve access to life-saving emergency and critical care.

·         Strengthen the capacity of a teaching hospital serving the surrounding population.

·         Support the education and training of future EMCC specialists.

·         Strengthen emergency and prehospital care beyond the hospital.

·         Support research, innovation, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice.

·         Build sustainable local capacity.

Our Future

Our ambition is simple but important: to build an emergency and critical care service that our patients can depend on, that our learners are proud to train in, and that our partners can confidently support.

We will continue to strengthen clinical services, postgraduate education, research, quality improvement, staff development, emergency preparedness, and community-based emergency care. With committed teamwork and the support of our university, hospital leadership, government, and partners, we believe the department can make an even greater contribution to the health of the people of Western Oromia and beyond.

Together, we can strengthen emergency care, build local capacity, and save more lives.

Contact and Partnership Information

Department of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care (EMCC)
Wollega University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital
Nekemte, Oromia, Ethiopia
Department Head: Dr. Habtamu Kebede
Official email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Telephone:251921546965
We welcome collaboration, technical support, equipment partnerships, academic collaboration, training initiatives, and other opportunities that can strengthen emergency and critical care services.

 Mulugeta Asefa Mate                                                                                    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Phone: +251921219820                                                                           

Position: WUIHS ICT Director

Girma Estifanos Gobu

ICT Infrastructure and Cyber Security Team Leader

MSc. Degree in Computer Science

Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: +251911018294

Daniel Denu Sefu.  

Computer Maintenance expert. .  Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone:0910979647

Desalegn jibat beyene 

Cyber security
 
Phone :251917818532
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Desistu Hirko Gonfa.

Network Administrator.

Phone: 0954435025.

Email: desistuhi@wollegauniversity.