Bahir Dar is one of Ethiopia’s most prominent cities, serving as the capital of the Amhara Region. Located in the northwestern part of the country, it is situated along the southern shore of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia and the source of the Blue Nile River. The city is known for its natural beauty, historical significance, and role as a key economic and tourism hub.Bahir Dar has a mix of public and private healthcare institutions, including Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, which serves as a major healthcare center for the region. The city is working towards improving its healthcare services, with increasing investment in hospitals, clinics, and medical education.
HEALTHCARE INSIGHTS
Healthcare Infrastructure:
- Hospitals and Health Centers: The city is served by a combination of public and private healthcare facilities, including:
- Three public hospitals
- Four private hospitals
- Ten health centers
- Fifteen health posts
Source: https://www.researchgate.net/
Maternal and Child Health:
Childhood Illness Prevalence: Under-five children in Bahir Dar face significant health challenges, with notable prevalence rates of:
- Diarrheal diseases: 34.9%
- Respiratory problems: 18.0%
- Malnutrition: 16.0%
These statistics underscore the need for targeted interventions to address these health issues
Source: https://www.scirp.org/
Health Workforce:
- Attrition Rates: The public health sector in Bahir Dar has experienced a health professionals’ attrition rate of 39.6%. Factors contributing to this attrition include age, gender, marital status, educational level, workplace environment, salary, professional category, and work experience.
Health Information Systems:
- Adoption of DHIS2: Efforts to implement the District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) in Bahir Dar’s health centers have been underway. Understanding health professionals’ intentions to use DHIS2 is crucial for its successful adoption and sustained utilization.
Recent healthcare news
- In September 2023, the Amhara region launched a 5-day oral cholera vaccination campaign in nine of its most affected districts.
- Sheba Global is training Ethiopian healthcare professionals in orthopedics, trauma, and neonatology
- A study conducted in 2021 revealed that over half of the adult population in Bahir Dar possesses three or more NCD risk factors, with approximately one in six adults over 40 years old facing a moderate 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
- On February 1, 2025, Dr. Andualem Dagne, a distinguished general surgery specialist and expert in liver, pancreatic, and biliary system surgeries, was tragically shot and killed while returning home from work.
- In response to ongoing healthcare challenges, Ethiopia’s Health Minister, Dr. Mekdes Daba, arrived in Bahir Dar on March 7, 2025, accompanied by senior government officials.
- A reactive measles vaccination campaign, conducted in November 2024, successfully immunized over 1.7 million children under ten across affected regions, including Amhara.
LIST OF MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS
| Sr. No | INSTITUTION | PROGRAMMES | TYPE |
| 1 | Bahir Dar University (BDU) College of Medicine and Health Sciences | · Medicine
· Nursing and Midwifery · Public Health · MSc and PhD Programmes |
Public |
| 2 | GAMBY Medical and Business College | · Medicine
· Nursing and Midwifery · Public Health · Masters Programmes |
Private |
| 3 | ALKAN Health Science Business and Technology College | · Nursing
· Pharmacy · Public Health · Technical and Vocational Training Programs |
Private |
| 4 | Addis Continental Institute of Public Health (ACIPH) – Bahir Dar Branch | · Masters in public Health | Private |
LIST OF HOSPITALS
| PUBLIC HOSPITALS | |
| Sr. No | HOSPITAL |
| 1 | Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital |
| 2 | Felegehiwot Comprehensive SpecializedHospital |
| 3 | Addis Alem Hospital |
| PRIVATE HOSPITALS | |
| Sr. No | HOSPITAL |
| 1 | Gamby Teaching General Hospital |
| 2 | Afilas General Hospital |
| 3 | Adinas G Hospital |
| 4 | Dream Care General Hospital |
DIAGNOSTIC CENTRES
- Nisir Diagnostics Center
- Bahir Dar Health Center
- Amen Specialized Clinic
- Abay Health Center
CONCLUSION
Bahir Dar stands at a pivotal moment in its healthcare evolution. While the city boasts key medical institutions such as Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital and a network of public and private healthcare providers, there remains significant potential for infrastructure expansion, digital health integration, and specialized medical services. As a healthcare consultancy firm, we recognize the urgent need for capacity building, investment in modern medical technology, and streamlined healthcare management systems to enhance service delivery. With the increasing demand for quality care, there is an opportunity to establish advanced diagnostic centers, specialty hospitals, and improved primary healthcare facilities. Moreover, fostering public-private partnerships and leveraging innovative healthcare models will be crucial in strengthening Bahir Dar’s healthcare landscape .By working collaboratively with stakeholders—government bodies, healthcare providers, and investors—we can help shape a resilient, patient-centric, and technology-driven healthcare ecosystem in Bahir Dar. Our commitment is to support sustainable healthcare development that not only meets current needs but also prepares the city for future healthcare challenges.
Related Team Members
