In a powerful expression of global unity and service, the Dawoodi Bohra community of Ethiopia hosted a major medical camp at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College from 4th to 8th May 2025. This significant initiative, which involves providing critical surgical interventions and consultations, was requested by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health from Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community. The camp delivered essential surgical interventions and medical consultations to hundreds of patients in the country.
“This camp directly supports Ethiopia’s National Surgical Backlog Campaign by providing critical medical interventions to underserved populations,” said a spokesperson from the Ministry of Health. “We are deeply grateful to His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin for his compassionate leadership and support in addressing our country’s healthcare needs. His vision exemplifies a global commitment to uplifting marginalised populations, not only through medical care but also through food security and community welfare.”
A global team of multispecialty doctors
Over 50 specialists from the community’s Saifee Hospital in Mumbai and doctors from Tanzania and Kenya travelled to Ethiopia for this four-day initiative, comprising a comprehensive mix of medical and surgical disciplines. The consortium of doctors was supported by administrators from the community’s Department for Health & Wellbeing in addition to a host of volunteers from the Dawoodi Bohras of Kenya, Tanzania and the host city, Addis Ababa.
The group included experts in cardiology, cardiac surgery, bariatric and metabolic surgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, nephrology, oncology, urology, colorectal and critical care medicine, among others. This multidisciplinary approach ensured that patients received a wide range of advanced treatments—from complex open-heart surgeries and cataract operations to specialised consultations in fields such as endocrinology, gastroenterology, and pediatric care, all carried out within the facilities of local hospitals.
“We really appreciate the commitment of the Dawoodi Bohra community and His Holiness. More than 40 specialists have come in and done operations in ALERT and St Paul’s hospitals where they did more than 300 surgeries over the last three days. Experience was shared between Indian, Kenyan and Tanzanian doctors and we would like this (collaboration) to continue,” said Dr Elubobar, Director of Medical Services in the Ministry of Health, Ethiopia.
“Thank you for the expertise and the service you provided. I am very glad to be one of these beneficiaries to be helped by your kindness,” said a patient.
Dr. Taher Mithi, Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgeon and a key member of the delegation travelling from Saifee Hospital Mumbai, underscored the spirit of the mission, “Our team is honoured to collaborate with Ethiopian doctors to deliver advanced surgical care and share knowledge. We believe that access to healthcare is a universal right, and through this partnership, we hope to make a lasting impact on patients’ lives and strengthen local medical capacity.”
“This camp saw us operate on a lot of cases, but the one that stood out was probably the first laparoscopic whipple surgery for a pancreatic tumour in Ethiopia,” said Dr Mufazzal Lakdawala, a leading Bariatric and Minimal Access Surgeon from Mumbai.
“We hope this camp has been helpful to families requiring critical surgeries and will be the first of a continued collaboration with the Health Ministry and other collaborators,” he continued.
A healthcare system in transition
In recent years, Ethiopia has made significant strides in improving public health. According to the Ministry of Health, primary healthcare coverage has expanded dramatically, life expectancy has increased to nearly 69 years, and both maternal and child mortality rates have fallen sharply. Yet challenges remain: infectious diseases, malnutrition, and non-communicable diseases continue to place heavy burdens on the population.
To address these issues, the Ethiopian government has prioritised partnerships with non-governmental organisations and international communities. The Dawoodi Bohra medical camp exemplifies this approach, leveraging global expertise to strengthen local capacity and provide direct relief to those most in need.
The depth of your compassion and the professionalism displayed by your team are truly awe-inspiring. Please accept my deepest thanks for your unparalleled generosity and support. It is my hope that the bond between Saifee Hospital and the people of Ethiopia continues to flourish, anchored in shared values of compassion, service, and human dignity.
Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba
A model for future collaboration
Dr. Fikadu Negash, Medical Director of St. Paul’s Hospital, said that the campaign has helped reduce the number of patients waiting in line for treatment at the hospital enabling them to access services quickly, as well as greatly benefiting knowledge transfer.
For many Ethiopians, the Dawoodi Bohra medical team’s contribution is more than a humanitarian gesture–it is a sign of the country’s increasing integration into global networks of medical expertise and philanthropy. It stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in advancing health equity and delivering hope to those who need it most.
Read more at Ethiopia Ministry of Health website