Dr. Hanan Alebachew

My name is Dr. Hanan Alebachew. I was born in Jimma and raised in Addis Ababa. The role of my parents was tremendous for me to decide to be a medical doctor and a surgeon. I studied my undergraduate at university of Gondar.

During my stay in Gondar University, on my attachment at surgery department something caught my attention. When you are a physician you treat a patient with knowledge, passion and with all your heart. But in surgery, in addition to all of that you learn the art and skill of using your own hands to tackle a disease and heal the patient. That is so fascinating for me. So I decided to be a surgeon and Studied surgery at SPHMMC.

My parents were also on board. But some people gave me comments and questions like ”you are female, can you really handle it?” “Have you really taught about it?” “Oh! Definitely you are not going to have a life“ and a lot more. But I believe in one thing, career has no gender, neither your dream nor a passion. Anyone can succeed with hard work. Besides in our country and continent there are few number of female surgeons.

I want to address female undergraduates, who are interested in surgery, it is acheivable. For those who say it is demanding, I know for sure women are strong and can handle a lot.The main question should be “how bad do you want it? And what can you do about it?” .

Currently I am practicing as an assistant professor of surgery at Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, and a Fellow of COSECSA. I am married and have one child. I believe the work ahead of me is enormous. I have to work harder and serve my nation, my country and mankind as a whole