Anley Dessie, Technical and Regional Coordinator for the Fistula Care Project

Anley Dessie, Technical and Regional Coordinator for the Fistula Care Project

Anley Dessie’s first job taught him a lot about what some people face in Ethiopia. For five years, he served as health assistant at a rural health station—the frontline facility in Ethiopia’s health system—in the Amhara region. “Resources were very scarce,” he explains, “and most clients walked far distances for medical assistance. I walked eighteen kilometers to reach Woreda health offices and about eight kilometers to work at the community-level outreach activities every other day. I also was often in the difficult position of deciding who should receive the limited drug supplies when the need was always so great.”

Since January 2010, Anley has served as the technical and regional coordinator for the Fistula Care Project in Ethiopia. Previously, Anley’s positions ranged from family health expert at a health center to district health officer. After he earned a bachelor’s degree in public health, he managed a health center.  It was during his health center days that Anley assisted with many deliveries and dedicated himself to providing quality antenatal care and delivery services as well as maternal, neonatal and child health education to expecting and new mothers. In his current role, he provides management and technical support to three fistula mentors who provide fistula pre-repair services, make referrals to the fistula hospital ,and train health workers and community volunteers on fistula identification and prevention.

His various experiences have allowed him to understand first-hand the risks that Ethiopian women and children are exposed to, including death during pregnancy and birth, HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, and disabilities. “All of these problems are preventable,” he says. “I am passionate about preventing women and children from suffering the consequences of the lack of services or poorly trained health care workers.”

Anley enjoys working for IntraHealth and notes that the organization provides him with opportunities and positive learning experiences. Most importantly, he feels aligned with IntraHealth’s mission. “I truly believe that health workers save lives.”

IntraHealth is a partner on the USAID-funded Fistula Care Project, which is led by Engenderhealth.