The College of Health Science under Addis Abeba University begins its quest for autonomy riding on a bill under the formation of the University. Experts at the University which became autonomous two weeks ago are formulating six directives related to the senate, governance, income and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, a committee comprising 14 team members led by Damen Hailemariam (Prof), dean of the School of Public Health, submitted a proposal that entails the findings and recommendations of the Health Science College to the University's administration.

According to Damen, the move which aims to improve academics, human resources and financial models of the College will be in motion in the next fiscal year.

This ardent initiative does not come without reforms.

Carving out revenue-generating mechanisms and enhancing professional development through credit-based training as a prerequisite for license renewals is paramount while setting standards for both academic and operational staff.

"Revenue generation is the most crucial one," said Damen.

Service fees are also slated for refinement by tracing individual patient care activities and calculating the expenditure incurred by the health care provider, which will be implemented after the Social Health Insurance commences, according to Damen.

"We would not want a defensive reaction," he said.

The College currently hosts four school departments: the School of Medicine, Public Health, Pharmacy and Midwifery in Tikur Anbessa Hospital.  The team aspires to add two more schools of Medical Laboratory and Radiography & Anesthesia.

They plan to set standards for student admission, including entrance exams distinct from the national entrance exam while carving out the curriculum as the future depends on the quality of education.

The waning educational quality became pronounced in recent years, evidenced by the underwhelming workforce leaving the institutions. Education experts attribute the lack of academic freedom and institutional autonomy within higher education institutions as the main factors for the cause.

Desalgegn Anshiso (PhD), the education researcher, observes that prioritising quality over quantity will be realised under autonomy. He believes politics can be a challenge while recruiting competent academic staff while contributing to the deterioration of education quality.

Tikur Anbessa, the largest referral hospital in the country with over 15,000 daily patient intake, has been grappling with a limited budget. Nearly 600 million Br is appropriated for the fiscal year where grants and funds account for half.

The emergency service centre is a microcosm of the hospital's perils. Although initially designed to have nine floors, construction has been stalled for eight years due to management reshuffling and fiscal constraints. The three-storey centre that is currently in operation can only accommodate 42 of the over 60 patients who visit it every day.

"The rooms are not designed to accommodate patients making their way to the hospital," said Demelash Gezahegn (MD), emergency medical services director. "Poor setups and scarce medical equipment have patients going for days without getting the desired treatment."

Demelash also noted that the stress of working in such an environment is taking a toll on the hospital's staff. "It's not uncommon to see psychologically stressed professionals in this environment," he said.

Demelash hopes that the hospital's recent autonomy will allow it to address the budget deficits and deficient equipment that have plagued it for many years.

Andualem Deneke (Prof), president of the College shares the sentiment. He believes the series of reforms towards budgetary autonomy will bring achievements to the facility, strengthening the healthcare system and improving the infrastructure.

"The hospital has remained chronically underfunded," he said.

Along with his team, Damen suggests mobilising resources by forming alumni associations, and separating academic and professional income while establishing private wing services to improve salaries.