Author Archives: Tenayistilign

About Tenayistilign

I am a physician trained at Jimma Institute of Health Sciences ( now Jimma University, in Jimma, Ethiopia) and Wayne State University ( Detroit, MI, USA). I teach and practice General Nephrology/Hypertension and Kidney Transplantation in the USA.

Electronic Health Records: Challenges for sub-Saharan Africa

Posted on August 22, 2018 by Tenayistilign

I knock at the door, walk in, greet the patient, and sit next to a desk top with access to the electronic medical chart. The patient had already been seen by a nurse, medications updated and vital signs taken. I … Continue reading →

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A dollar a day

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Tenayistilign

There is a call by the PM of Ethiopia to Ethiopians and people of Ethiopian origin to contribute a dollar a day for supporting the development of the country. The class of 1989 at the medical school in Jimma University … Continue reading →

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At the end of the morning report

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Tenayistilign

  Eritrean –Ethiopian war (1998-2000), a brief reflection. I took brisk steps as I approached the main entrance of the hospital’s auditorium. I was the on call GP. It was a busy night call. I barely had a moment’s sleep. … Continue reading →

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Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia

Posted on August 7, 2018 by Tenayistilign

THE ABIY PHENOMENON ( by Dr Solomon Feyissa) I can imagine that many of us have talked about the Abiy phenomenon since he came to power a little over 100 days ago. I have been mentally wrestling with myself what … Continue reading →

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Nancy Alonso

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Tenayistilign

I found a surprise note on my desk after the morning clinic. It was a busy clinic with patients of various kidney and electrolyte problems including a challenging case of hypokalemia or low potassium. At first it didn’t click. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | 1 Comment

A life matters !

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Tenayistilign

“Doctor, doctor, doctor,” she said, with a Spanish accent “Look at me doctor,” she said again grinning “Look at my face, I am happy now, I am happy now, my life is back” Her eyes welled up with tears This … Continue reading →

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Until I had my own

Posted on May 29, 2016 by Tenayistilign

“Her heart is beating at 172 per minutes. Do you have fever?” That question from the obstetrician threw chills in our bones in otherwise a routine visit. My wife quickly turned and looked at me but I wasn’t able to … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | 3 Comments

Renal rounds: Christmas gift

Posted on December 24, 2015 by Tenayistilign

We were shopping for Christmas when the call came through. It was a big shop with Christmas decorations all over the place. It was noisy and crowded. We left the house early to spend as much time as we can … Continue reading →

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Kidney Transplant in Ethiopia

Posted on October 11, 2015 by Tenayistilign

Let’s us congratulate the team at St. Paul’s Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the Transplant Team at the University of Michigan, and every one involved, for performing the first kidney transplants in Ethiopia on three people who received kidneys … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events, Health | 1 Comment

A trip to Addis

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Tenayistilign

I started to be nervous on the final decent of the Ethiopian Air Lines Boeing 777. The last time I was in Addis was the day I left Addis itself. That was 15 years ago although it felt like 150 … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | 1 Comment