Quality healthcare is out of reach for many. Our vision is a fully equipped primary hospital that serves families with excellence — and ensures the poor are not turned away.
In Hawassa, Ethiopia, quality healthcare is often out of reach. Many families depend on small clinics and underfunded public hospitals that face overwhelming pressure—long wait times, limited equipment, and shortages of trained professionals. For the poor and those with urgent or specialized needs, these gaps can be life-threatening.
In Hawassa, a dream began with one man—Dr. Solomon Endrias. Motivated by compassion and faith, he envisioned a hospital that would provide excellent medical care for the underserved and serve as a beacon of love and healing in the region.
After his sudden passing in 2023, his wife, Ms. Birtukan Hundie Mekonnen, courageously carried the vision forward. In 2024, Dr. Solomon Memorial Primary Hospital opened its doors—partially functional, but full of promise.
Step Up Now came alongside this mission after witnessing the urgent realities first-hand. Maternal and neonatal mortality in Ethiopia remains tragically high, often due to preventable complications. During our mission trip in 2024, we heard heart-breaking stories of mothers losing babies because primary hospitals lacked basic resources—such as incubators, emergency readiness, or trained staff for critical cases. These encounters ignited a deep conviction in us: we must help build a place where mothers and babies can receive timely, life-saving care.
Long-Term Goal
A Fully Operational, International-Standard Primary Hospital—Where No One Is Turned Away
Our long-term vision is to develop Dr. Solomon Memorial into a fully equipped Primary Hospital that meets high standards of care, operates sustainably, and ensures that financial hardship never becomes a death sentence.
This includes:
- Comprehensive primary healthcare services with properly equipped wards, diagnostics, and emergency readiness
- A sustainable operating model—revenue from those who can afford care supports free or subsidized treatment for those who cannot
- A hub for training and knowledge transfer, welcoming volunteer doctors, nurses, and medical professionals from developed nations to strengthen patient care and train local staff
- A culture of excellence and compassion, where professional standards and servant-hearted care work together to save lives
Short-Term Goal for 2026
Complete and Equip Level 2 – Maternity & Paediatric Unit
Our immediate focus in 2026 is completing the hospital’s second level and transforming it into a fully equipped Maternity and Paediatric Unit—because this is where the need is most urgent and where impact can be immediate.
In 2026, we aim to:
- Complete construction of Level 2 (finishing, safety, utilities, and functional readiness)
- Furnish and equip the unit to serve mothers and children—prioritizing delivery services and essential maternal/newborn care equipment
- Train and strengthen local staff through partnerships with volunteer medical professionals who can mentor, coach, and transfer skills
- Build toward sustainability, establishing a model where hospital income and donor investment help cover care for patients who cannot afford treatment—so no one is turned away
Be Part of This Life-Saving Mission
This project is a call to action. A mission that began with faith, continued through love, and will be fulfilled through unity.
Here’s how you can help:
- Donate to support construction and essential equipment for the Level 2 Maternity & Paediatric Unit
- Sponsor specific needs (e.g., maternity equipment, newborn care equipment, furnishings, emergency readiness)
- Volunteer your skills if you’re a medical professional—help train and strengthen local teams
Together, we can save lives and reshape futures—one mother, one child, one floor at a time.
