Volunteer Health Services

17/07/2025

Google just made a big move in healthcare ai 🚀
They’ve released two powerful models — medgemma and medsiglip — that can analyze chest x-rays, medical scans, and patient records like a digital second opinion.

what makes it special? these models don’t just read text — they can see medical images too!

📊 medgemma 27b scored 87.7% on medqa, a key medical ai test.
💡 even the smaller version got 81% accuracy, approved by u.s. radiologists to support real patient care.
and the best part?

✅ no paywalls
✅ open-source
✅ free to download, edit, and use locally

This means doctors, hospitals, and researchers worldwide can now use top-level ai — for free. ETHIOPIAN DRUG INFORMATION NETWORK Stop TB Partnership

17/06/2025

Video documentary for the Global Fund replenishment. Testimonials were shared ...

16/06/2025

14/06/2025

Dear Members,

Join us for the 13th Antimicrobial Day (AMR) Day commemoration. Those of you who cannot make it physically to attend the 13th Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Day scheduled on June 14, 2025 08:00 AM Nairobi are cordially invited to virtually attend the event by registering via the link below:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_3MTrHwtSyusHswW0CJC3A

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

14/06/2025

14/06/2025

The Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Association (EPA), in collaboration with Volunteer Health Services (VHS) and Square Foundation, successfully commemorated the 13th Antimicrobial Awareness Day at an engaging event held at Friendship Hotel, Addis Ababa. The gathering brought together over 100 participants, including professionals from healthcare, academia, and civil society, all united by a shared commitment to addressing the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Dr. Daniel Waktole, President of EPA, opened the event with a strong call for action, emphasizing the critical role of professional associations in leading the national response to AMR. He highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts in innovation, research, and policy to contain this global health threat. The event was anchored around the theme: "Advancing AMR Containment through Innovation, Research and Policy Action."

Mr. Endalkachew from VHS stressed the significance of partnership and collaboration in the fight against AMR, particularly in community-level health responses. He also underscored how diseases like tuberculosis (TB) are increasingly impacted by resistance, making diagnosis and treatment more complex.

Adding depth and global perspective to the event, representatives from the Africa CDC, World Health Organization (WHO), and Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health delivered powerful messages emphasizing the urgent need to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a critical public health priority. They highlighted AMR’s growing threat to health systems, economic stability, and the achievement of universal health coverage. Their remarks underscored the importance of national action plans, regulatory frameworks, and multi-sectoral collaboration guided by the One Health approach.

Prof. Bisrat from Ethiopian Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in Diaspora (EPPAD) enriched the discussion with a historical overview of AMR. He reminded participants that while antimicrobial resistance is a naturally occurring phenomenon, it has been dangerously accelerated by decades of misuse and overuse of antibiotics in human and animal health. His presentation called for urgent stewardship and a collective change in behavior, policy, and innovation to preserve the effectiveness of life-saving antimicrobials.
The event concluded with a renewed sense of urgency and collective responsibility. Stop TB Partnership # EPA ETHIOPIAN DRUG INFORMATION NETWORK

31/05/2025

Collaborative Discussion with TB-focused CSOs

Voluntary Health Services (VHS) hosted a collaborative meeting with representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) engaged in tuberculosis (TB) response efforts. The meeting took place at the VHS office and brought together key CSO stakeholders actively working on TB prevention, care, and community engagement.

The discussion focused on strengthening coordination, information sharing, and joint advocacy efforts among CSOs. Participants highlighted the need for improved community-level awareness, support for DR-TB patients, and stronger collaboration civil society. VHS shared recent updates on its ongoing TB-related activities, including research Stigma and on the economic viability of shorter DR-TB regimens.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to establish a regular consultation platform to enhance CSO involvement in national TB efforts. This collaborative spirit is expected to drive more inclusive and impactful responses to TB challenges in Ethiopia. Stop TB Partnership

31/05/2025

A national workshop was jointly organized by Voluntary Health Services (VHS) and the Ethiopian TB Association (ETA) at Aya Hotel, bringing together key stakeholders in the fight against drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). The event featured the presentation of national-level research findings on the economic viability of Shorter DR-TB regimens, delivered by Mr. Endalkachew, a representative from VHS. His presentation highlighted the cost-effectiveness and programmatic advantages of implementing shorter regimens such as BPaL, emphasizing their potential to improve patient outcomes while reducing the overall burden on the health system.

The workshop also focused on the critical role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in creating community demand, engaging key populations, and driving policy advocacy. Participants included healthcare workers from TB treatment facilities, religious leaders, and representatives from key affected populations, who actively contributed to the discussions. The forum provided a space for multi-sectoral dialogue, enabling participants to explore practical strategies for scaling up shorter regimens and enhancing patient-centered care. The engagement of diverse voices reinforced the importance of inclusive, community-driven approaches in achieving national TB control targets and sustaining public health gains.

23/03/2025

Marching
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An event held for World Tuberculosis (TB) Day in Arba Minch, Ethiopia, where a march was organized involving key stakeholders. World TB Day is observed every year on March 24th to raise awareness about tuberculosis, its impact, and the need for continued efforts in TB prevention and treatment.
The celebration of World TB Day involves marching of community leaders, healthcare workers, local organizations, and the public. The aim of such an event is to engage the community, raise awareness about TB, promote early detection, encourage preventive measures, and provide information about available resources for treatment. Stop TB Partnership Ethiopian TB Association-ETA Mask Ethiopia Stop TB Partnership Ethiopia TB PROOF

21/03/2025

Stop TB Partnership Stop TB Partnership Ethiopia