By Berhanu Gebremichael
March 24, 2004

Wednesday morning

We kicked off the day’s activities with high school campaign. We chose 2 high schools-Miskaye Hazuanan Medhane Alem and Bole high school. Four medical students each gave presentations on basic facts about TB. We used brochures, black boards and lectures. The
group to Bole gave a seminar for three classes consisting of around 70 students each, while the Medhane Alem four classes with around 60 students each. The campaign was a success. The campaign was well organized after having specified the learning objectives. The school directors in the two high schools asked for more sessions, which we will try arrange later. For lack of sources we could not have more high schools than these.

2pm

WTBD was commenced by an opening speech by medical student Berhanu Gebremichael-which took around 7minutes.Next Dr Zerihun from Ministry of Health gave a presentation on TB control in Ethiopia and DOTS strategy. Dr Kibrebeal concentrated on the individual patient and his was a very comprehensive and timely one.

Artist Sileshi Demissie representative of Gash Abera Mola made a marvelous celebrity talk before the break. Eventhogh he said that 'I don't know why I am here?' he was rightly placed there for he was able to mobilize some 30,000 high school students to start the cleaning up project which medical people could use for mobilization of people to control public health problems. He was very succinct and everybody was in ecstasy when he finished his short speech.

And off we go to the Buna break with Buna (coffee), tea, soft drinks and cookies. During this time, participants were exchanging ideas, looking at posters and the EMSA website printouts. They were asking many questions and after a brief explanation they promised to help the group in all their capacity. After about 20minutes of break we resumed the day's activities by Dr. Jan's presentation, which was filled with Ethiopian icons and street posters.

Dr. Tekeste's filled us with awe from beginning to end, and Ato Hassen started his talk by saying that 'the presentation itself was stigmatized' which made the hall roar with laughter. He kindly made the presentation from his desecrations, and it was so sad that people are still ostracizing TB patients, according to his work.

Student Melakmu read out his beautiful Amharic poem, which was a change and he received a great applause from the house. Dr Jan and medical students Bethel Girma and Yohannes Woubishet gave out the awards for the essay/poem winners who are:

  First place: Nurilign Assefa
  Second place: Melkamu Bayu
  Third place: Ephraim Gashaw

Lastly the most important matter in the hall was presented- a Thank You' Notes-by medical Student Yohannes Woubishet. The seminars/lectures was concluded and the TB Day was to go outdoors to the streets of Addis. A couple of med students and people from WHO, MoH, and some invited guests wore T-Shirts, carried banners, and accoutered with a whole lot of brochures made it out of the premises of the Black Lion Hospital, and up to MoH taking the road leading to Meskel Square. We were making noise like'Stop TB Now', 'everyone has a responsibility to control TB' in Amharic. Added to that when we got a group of people we were giving basic info about TB. The public was keen to listen to these and was ready to raise some issues of concern, which we attempted to address.

We completed the Day by gathering in Square Garden (Mesqel Square) and quenched our thirst through a sip of soft drinks and tea. We were so over filled with joy as to forget our hunger. It was late now -around 7:30pm, and everyone of had to spread out.

WTBD had coverage by ETV, PanaPress Africa, and VOA. Many people from such organizations like WHO approached us to tell their of their readiness to help in activities relating to TB, Malaria and HIV/AIDS. The Ethiopian Public Health Association said that they would consider publishing one or two of the essays/poems in their quarterly digest.