Dr. Tekle Haile Tesfay

Dr. Tekle Haile Tesfay is one of Eritrea's most experienced internists, serving patients at Orotta National Referral Hospital — the country's principal tertiary care institution in Asmara. Over a career spanning more than 17 years, Dr. Tesfay has developed particular expertise in managing the infectious and non-communicable diseases that most burden Eritrean patients, including tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS, and increasingly prevalent conditions such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

After completing his foundational medical training at Orotta Medical School, Dr. Tesfay pursued advanced postgraduate education in Ethiopia, earning a Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine. This cross-border academic experience gave him exposure to a broader patient population and reinforced his commitment to evidence-based clinical practice in a resource-limited environment. He returned to Eritrea equipped with skills in managing complex multi-system diseases, a capability in high demand at Orotta's busy wards.

Dr. Tesfay is known among colleagues and patients alike for his methodical diagnostic approach and his ability to communicate clearly with patients in Tigrinya, Arabic, and English. He participates actively in the Eritrean Medical Association and contributes to in-hospital training of junior doctors and medical students rotating through the internal medicine department.

Dr. Tesfay completed his undergraduate medical degree at Orotta Medical School in Asmara, one of the few institutions offering full medical training within Eritrea. Following graduation and several years of clinical service, he pursued specialization through a Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine at a recognized Ethiopian university, gaining advanced training in diagnostic medicine, infectious disease protocols, and management of chronic systemic conditions. His postgraduate training included significant clinical rotations in high-volume infectious disease wards and outpatient chronic disease clinics, preparing him for the complex case mix seen at Eritrea's national referral centre.

Dr. Tesfay's clinical practice is anchored in the management of conditions with the highest disease burden in Eritrea. He conducts comprehensive internal medicine consultations for patients referred from district hospitals and health centres across the country. His infectious disease expertise spans TB diagnosis using sputum smear, GeneXpert, and culture; malaria case management for both Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax; and antiretroviral therapy initiation and monitoring for HIV-positive adults. He is experienced in managing complications of all three diseases when they occur concurrently, a scenario not uncommon in Eritrean clinical settings.

In non-communicable disease care, Dr. Tesfay manages hypertension with a strong focus on lifestyle counselling alongside pharmacotherapy, and he leads a chronic disease management programme at Orotta that supports diabetic patients with regular HbA1c monitoring, foot care guidance, and complication screening. He also handles typhoid fever diagnosis and treatment, including management of complications such as intestinal perforation in coordination with the surgical team.

Dr. Tesfay has contributed to several institutional research initiatives examining the epidemiology of TB-HIV co-infection in Eritrea, with findings presented at East African medical conferences. He has participated in Ministry of Health working groups reviewing national treatment protocols for malaria and tuberculosis, helping to align Eritrean guidelines with WHO recommendations. He regularly reviews clinical cases for quality improvement audits within Orotta's internal medicine department and has co-authored hospital-based reports on antimicrobial resistance patterns observed in his unit.

Orotta National Referral Hospital is accessible to patients from the Eritrean diaspora and from neighbouring countries including Ethiopia, Sudan, and Djibouti who seek specialist internal medicine evaluation. Dr. Tesfay is fluent in English and can conduct consultations in Arabic, making him accessible to a range of international patients. He is experienced in providing second-opinion consultations and in preparing comprehensive medical summaries for patients continuing care abroad. Video consultations can be arranged for initial assessment and follow-up, particularly for diaspora patients coordinating care remotely. Dr. Tesfay advises international patients to contact the hospital's administration in advance to schedule appointments and arrange any necessary medical records transfer.

Dr. Tesfay has been recognised within Orotta National Referral Hospital for sustained clinical excellence and mentorship of junior medical staff. He was commended by the Eritrean Medical Association for his contributions to TB control programme education and for his consistent participation in continuing medical education activities during periods when such opportunities were limited. His colleagues regard him as a cornerstone of the internal medicine department and a trusted clinician in Asmara's medical community.