Glan Clwyd-Hossana Link

About the Partnership

The Glan Clwyd-Hossana Link is a healthcare partnership between staff at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Central North Wales, United Kingdom, and staff at Hossana Hospital in Southern Ethiopia. What began as a hospital-to-hospital collaboration has grown to include specialized Eye Link and Primary Care Link programmes.

Our partnership focuses on sustainable development through knowledge exchange, capacity building, and practical support. Healthcare professionals from both countries work together to improve patient care, enhance medical training, and strengthen health infrastructure in the Hossana region.

Our Mission and Aims

We aim to create lasting improvements in healthcare delivery through collaborative effort and mutual learning. The link operates on principles of partnership and respect, recognizing that both institutions have valuable expertise to share.

Our work focuses on supporting medical education, improving clinical facilities, expanding access to essential equipment, and developing sustainable health programmes that serve the communities around Hossana Hospital.

Teaching and Training Programmes

Education and skills development form the cornerstone of our partnership. UK-based healthcare professionals travel to Hossana to deliver training workshops, provide mentorship, and support continuing professional development for medical staff, nurses, and allied health workers.

These exchanges work both ways. Ethiopian colleagues have visited Glan Clwyd Hospital to observe practices, share their own expertise, and build networks that support ongoing collaboration. Together, we develop training materials, clinical protocols, and educational resources tailored to the local context.

Infrastructure and Equipment Projects

Improving the physical environment and resources available at Hossana Hospital is essential to delivering quality care. Over the years, the link has supported various infrastructure improvements, from renovating clinical spaces to installing essential utilities.

We have worked on water access projects to ensure clean, reliable water supply for hospital operations. Equipment donations have included medical devices, surgical instruments, and diagnostic tools carefully selected to meet identified needs and ensure they can be maintained locally.

Eye Link Programme

The Eye Link is a specialized offshoot focusing on ophthalmology services. This programme brings together eye care professionals from North Wales and Ethiopia to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of eye conditions in the Hossana region.

Activities include training local staff in eye examination techniques, surgical skills, and patient education. The programme also supports efforts to expand outreach services, bringing eye care to rural communities with limited access to specialist services.

Primary Care Link

The Primary Care Link extends our partnership beyond the hospital setting. This initiative connects general practice surgeries in North Denbighshire with health centres in the Hossana region, focusing on community-based healthcare.

Primary care professionals share approaches to managing chronic diseases, maternal and child health, health promotion, and preventive care. This collaboration recognizes that strong primary care systems are fundamental to population health and reducing pressure on hospital services.

Get Involved

The success of the Glan Clwyd-Hossana Link depends on the commitment and generosity of individuals and organizations who share our vision. There are many ways to support our work, from fundraising and donations to volunteering professional time and skills.

Healthcare professionals interested in participating in exchange visits, training programmes, or project work are encouraged to get in touch. We also welcome support from the wider community through fundraising events and financial contributions that directly support ongoing projects in Ethiopia.

Contact and Information

For more information about the partnership, current projects, or opportunities to get involved, please reach out to the link coordinators. We are always pleased to hear from individuals and organizations interested in supporting our work or learning more about healthcare partnerships between the UK and Ethiopia.