Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from DW Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
DW Amharic – Renowned medical professional killed in Bahir Dar
Alemnew Mekonnen
February 3, 2025
Last Sunday night Bahir Dar University Medicine and Sciences College and Tibebe Ghion Medical Researcher Dr. Andualem Dagne was shot and killed while returning from his place of work to his home by unknown assailants according to Bahir Dar University, the professional’s killing has saddened both the university and residents of Bahir Dar city.
A renowned medical professional and specialist was killed in Bahir Dar
Last Sunday night Bahir Dar University Medicine and Sciences College and Tibebe Ghion Medical Researcher Dr. Andualem Dagne was shot and killed while returning from his place of work to his home by unknown assailants according to Bahir Dar University, the professional’s killing has saddened both the university and residents of Bahir Dar city.
The university’s director of internal affairs and communications Ato Girmaw Ashebir told DW that Dr. Andualem Dagne was shot and killed by unknown assailants at around 7 pm in an area called “Qoshe” where abductions and killings have been recurrent. He said, “the professional was a specialist in surgery, specialist in liver, pancreas and the gallbladder line, and was a researcher and teacher.”
The death of the 37 year old doctor and teacher referred to as “antu”
Dr. Andualem in addition to this, served as director of the Department of Surgery at Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital and at the age of 37 years old was referred to as “antu” (pronoun of respect associated with old age) and was a well-respected professional said Ato Girmaw. Dr. Andualem Dagne’s burial ceremony was conducted yesterday in Dibanke Medhanialem Church following ceremonial rites and prayers in the Bahir Dar Bale Egziabher Church and was attended by Bahir Dar University’s president, community members from the university, students and a significant number of residents from Bahir Dar city.
High profile professionals are leaving
He had provided healing to millions and was expected to help many others and so his loss saddened many, says Ato Girmaw who added prior to this incident similar crimes had taken place against medical doctors and other hospital workers. For this reason, many high-profile professionals have been forced to leave and go to other places, he said. He said when professionals like this are lost to crimes it has negative implications for the wider community. A medical doctor who opted for anonymity and a close acquaintance of the late doctor said Dr. Andualem Dagne graduated with the highest distinction from Jimma University and to this day no other student has been able to achieve the same result.
As a student he represented the nation visiting various countries
As a student he was a fast learner and known for his talent and for this reason he was sent abroad to visit various countries representing Ethiopia. After coming to Bahir Dar and teaching for one year he undertook training in surgery and graduated from Bahir Dar University as their highest achieving graduate to date. As the highest achieving student, he traveled to Ireland, India and other countries for knowledge transfer and experience. He was the only provider of non-surgical gallbladder treatment in Amhara Region. The source explained that he was the only doctor in Amhara Region who received the necessary training to provide non-surgical gallbladder treatment.
The source expressed their remorse saying, “as a country the country would have been better off if he lived and 15 other doctors including myself took his place.” Repeated efforts were made to call the Bahir Dar City Administration Police Department and the Amhara Region Police Commission however they did not answer and so it was not possible to include their remarks, however the Amhara Region Government Communications Affairs Bureau which cited Bahir Dar Police Department Head Commander Walelign Bimrew in its report said “work is underway to determine from police who is responsible for the act and how it was carried out” and the bureau also said police traveled to the area of the incident and gathered evidence among other actions.
Alemnew Mekonnen
Azeb Tadesse
Negash Mehamed
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