Hospital history
St. Peter Hospital has a rich history that dates back to Sene 23, 1953EC, when it was established in Mesalemiya. Originally known as the TB Demonstration and Training Center, the facility was inaugurated by Emperor Haile Selassie after the land was acquired at a cost of 24,950 ETB. Spanning an area of 4,990 m², the hospital was situated in the Shewa Kefle Hager of Gefersa Wereda, specifically in Kolfe Kebele, which was a residential area for retired individuals.
When it became operational, it was named as “ሳምባ ነቀርሳ መከላከያ ድርጅት”. It started the service with outpatient department units for the treatment of Tb. It was constructed with 35 rooms funded by the government, and the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF generously donated equipment and resources. In the same year, it also served as a national TB training and demonstration center.
During its early years, St. Peter Hospital had a dedicated team of healthcare professionals. Dr. Pierre Chazelles, a renowned pulmonologist, led the medical department, while Dr. Actopadus, an advisor to the WHO in TB treatment, served as the chest specialist. Additionally, Dr. Ivanovic joined as the hospital’s first radiologist. Alongside these foreign doctors, there were 89 local healthcare professionals contributing to the hospital’s services.
The hospital quickly became a vital healthcare institution, attending to nearly 250 patients daily in the outpatient unit. To ensure accessibility, an outreach service wing was established, equipped with a portable X-ray machine and other necessary equipment, reaching patients who couldn’t visit the hospital.In addition to the aforementioned services, the facility played a vital role as a training center for health officers, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals, focusing on TB prevention and treatment. Alongside the comprehensive TB care, patients also received clothing and food support.
In 1955 EC, the hospital relocated to its current site, situated above the former Amha Desta school, below Kuskuam church. Initially named St. Peter TB Treatment Center, it later transitioned into a sanatorium and eventually became a fully-fledged hospital. During the opening of this facility, Emperor Haile Selassie graced the occasion and emphasized its purpose of serving TB patients while preventing the transmission of the disease to their families and society. The establishment was a generous gift from Konjit Abinet, the wife of the then Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Ras Abebe Aregai. Tragically, Ras Abebe Aregai lost his life during the 1953 EC coup led by Mengistu and Germeme Neway. The facility was subsequently transferred to the Ethiopian Minister of Health in Megabit 14, 1954 EC. With an initial investment of 150,000 ETB for complete furnishing, it was inaugurated on Tir 25, 1955 EC, in the presence of His Majesty the King. Ato Abebe Reta, the Minister of Health at the time, was also in attendance. This noble gesture significantly transformed TB treatment in Ethiopia. The location of the hospital was chosen for its ideal isolation treatment setting, being situated outside the city, and the ambient air, which was conducive to patients due to its high altitude.
Ras Abebe Aregai, born in August 1903 GC in northern Shewa, held various significant government positions throughout his career. He served as the Lord Mayor of Addis Ababa in 1941 GC before becoming the Governor of Sidamo for one year. He then moved to Tigray as the Governor of Tigray. Between 1947 GC and 1949 GC, he served as the Minister of War, followed by a position as Minister of Interior, which he held until 1955 GC. Subsequently, he served as the Minister of Defense for five years before becoming the Prime Minister of Ethiopia. Tragically, Ras Abebe Aregai was killed during the 1960 GC coup carried out by Mengistu and Germame Neway after being held hostage in Genete Leul Palace.
During the inauguration, the hospital had 100 inpatient beds, 45 patients, two foreign doctors, one matron, two nurses, four higher level patient attendants, one first level patient attendant, three regular patient attendants, one laboratory technician, one administrative personnel, and two technician drivers. In total, there were 51 administrative workers with an annual budget of 88,000 ETB. However, the number of healthcare workers was insufficient to meet the demands of inpatient treatment, leading to the hospital borrowing staff from Dagmawi Minilik Hospital, Leilt Tsehai Medium Hospital, and Leilt Zenebe Work Hospital.
In the same year, with a budget of 33,575.25 ETB, a new female ward and pediatric ward were established. Additionally, with an extra allocation of 20,458.99 ETB, kitchen facilities and patient bathing stations were constructed. In Tir 1957 EC, a morgue was built for the first time, with a budget of 5,850.50 ETB. Finally, in 1980 EC, the facility underwent a complete transformation into a fully-fledged hospital.
In 1992 EC, there was a shift in the health policy regarding TB treatment. In addition to the centralized TB treatment provided at St. Peter TB Hospital, additional facilities were opened at various locations across the country, reflecting a decentralized approach. This change was prompted by the growing number of patients seeking TB treatment, which could not be adequately addressed by a single facility. In the same year, two facilities located at Mesalemiya and Intoto Street were merged. The Mesalemiya branch was closed, and all healthcare professionals were transferred to the Intoto site, where unified outpatient and inpatient services were established.
In 1995 EC, the hospital formulated its first five-year strategic plan. This document outlined the hospital’s intention to expand its services beyond TB treatment for the first time. Special emphasis was placed on internal medicine and maternal and child health services, leading to an expansion of the hospital’s scope and capacity. Consequently, these services were launched in the month of Yekatit in 1997 EC.
In 2005 EC, the hospital started dermatology services as part of its specialty service expansion program. Dr. Teseme, the first dermatologist at the facility, spearheaded this initiative. Additionally, dental services were introduced that same year, staffed by Bachelor of Science (BSc) nurse professionals. Under the leadership of the then Chief Executive Officer, Ato Yakob Seman, St. Peter Hospital expanded its services to include Cesarean section (C/S) surgery in 2008 EC. Furthermore, the scope of surgical procedures was broadened to encompass general surgery, and outpatient services were introduced in 2010 EC.
The current location of St. Peter Hospital features a main white building with seven floors. The construction of this large facility aimed to expand services and meet the healthcare needs of the general public. The foundation stone was laid in 1999 EC by Dr. Tewodros Adhanom, the Minister of Health at the time, with an initial budget of 80 million Ethiopian Birr. Subsequent reports indicate that a total investment of 300 million Ethiopian Birr was allocated for the construction. The building was completed in 2009 EC, with its ground floor already in use for emergency treatments a year prior to its full completion. The new complex has a capacity of 300 inpatient beds, including 12 ICU beds, six operation rooms, adult and pediatric emergency departments, as well as a Cath Lab for cardiac patients.
In 2001, St. Peter Hospital received its first patient with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) in the country and began providing treatment. Since then, the hospital has been recognized as a center of excellence for the care and treatment of MDR-TB, with significant support from USAID. In 2008 EC, the hospital received recognition and a reward of 3 million ETB for its excellent quality of service, based on an evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia. The standards set in 2008 EC continue to be upheld by the hospital.
As of 2006 EC, the hospital has been expanding its services to include more than 32 specialty and subspecialty services. Services such neurosurgery, pediatrics surgery, oncology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, ENT, Maxillofacial surgery, CATH lab, Toxicology, Urogynecology and a lot more other services are being provided. The future plan of the hospital is to evolve to become the first infectious center for the country. The recent history of COVID coupled with the long history of TB treatment has inspired this vision of the hospital. we are now working with different stakeholders to help realize this dream of ours. With the unwavering focus on quality of patient care, we have taken the torch and taken it further and we hope to hand it over to the next generation in much better condition than we received it.
Our
Mission
“Providing its health services to reduce mortality, morbidity, and disability of the community by providing high tech health service
stan-
dards, researches and by providing comprehensive pre-service and
in-service infectious disease trainings.
Our
Vision
“To be one of the centers of medical excellence in medical service, research and training in East Africa by the year 2030
E.C.”
