DINKNESH

DINKNESH – Digital Support of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Care Continuum in Ethiopia

DINKNESH (Developing an INternational research CollaboratioN in Ethiopia to Support oncology at primary Health care level) is a multi-year research and implementation project focused on strengthening breast and cervical cancer care within Ethiopia’s primary healthcare system.

Funded through GIZ Hospital Partnerships Academic, the project has been implemented in two phases: DINKNESH (2022–2024) and DINKNESH 2 (2024–2026).

It is jointly led by Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and Addis Ababa University, in close collaboration with Ethiopian health authorities, primary healthcare facilities, and local technical partners.

We implement our digital interventions in close collaboration with the Else Kröner Center for Cancer Care in Ethiopia (EKC). EKC has implemented tertiary breast and cervical cancer care in  Addis Ababa since 2020 as well as screening and early detection services in 30 primary care facilities in rural an urban settings in South and South-Western Ethiopia. 

Project Focus

DINKNESH addresses persistent gaps across the cancer care continuum, including late presentation, weak referral pathways, loss to follow-up, and limited access to training and information. The project integrates digital tools, human support, and implementation research to improve continuity of care from screening to diagnosis and follow-up under routine service conditions.

Core Components of DINKNESH

Capacity Building
DINKNESH strengthens capacity among nurses, midwives, health officers, and communities through context-adapted eLearning and training approaches. These activities focus on cancer awareness, early detection, patient communication, and navigation within the health system, with the aim of supporting frontline health workers and empowering women in both urban and rural settings.

Health System Strengthening
The project supports primary healthcare facilities with digital infrastructure, referral and follow-up tools, and guideline-aligned workflows to improve coordination between levels of care. Digital solutions are embedded into routine services and designed to function under variable connectivity and resource constraints.

Research and Evidence Generation
DINKNESH combines global oncology, digital health, and implementation science to generate practice-oriented evidence on how cancer care can be effectively integrated into primary healthcare systems. The programme includes pragmatic studies, mixed-methods evaluation, and capacity building in data collection and analysis within international research partnerships.

Collaboration and Innovation

In addition to its core components, DINKNESH collaborates with international academic partners, including King’s College London, UK, to explore complementary innovations such as digital support for palliative care. DINNESH furthermore supports the development of video-based psycho-social and spiritual patient support by spiritual community leaders in collaboration with Hawassa University School of Nursing, Ethiopia, and the Martin Luther University Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine. These activities are conducted as research and development initiatives and inform future integration and scale-up.