Bringing cancer care close to people

Since 2022, St.Mary Hospital in Dubbo, Ethiopia, has been part of Else Kröner Center for Cancer Care (EKCC), a collaborative project aimed to decentralize, strengthen, and improve access to quality breast and cervical cancer care services across Ethiopia.

The 6-year project, running from 2020 to 2026, is led by Addis Ababa University in partnership with Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany, and engages 15 rural health centers and 8 hospitals in capacity building, research and innovation to reduce morbidity and mortality rates, and ensure equitable access to high-quality services.

During the last project review meeting in Debre Zeyit, on December 26th, 2025, St. Mary Hospital was recognized at national level for its significant contribution to improving breast and cervical cancer screening services, as well as for its valued partnership with EKCC. The hospital was also acknowledged as one of the outstanding facilities among EKCC-supported institutions, demonstrating exemplary performance in expanding and enhancing breast and cervical cancer screening services.