KnowTheGlow’s co-founder Megan Webber, Global Outreach Director Helene Dameris, and Africa Program Manager Ruth Ngaruiya recently met with Dr. Sadik Sherief, a dedicated pediatric ophthalmologist based in Menelik II Referral Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This crucial conversation aimed at understanding the specific challenges and opportunities surrounding vision screening and the care pathway for children diagnosed with retinoblastoma in Ethiopia. Dr. Sadik shared his professional journey, beginning with his early experiences as a medical resident in Ethiopia. It was during this time that he first observed a significant gap in the healthcare system’s response to children with retinoblastoma. These young patients, often arriving from rural areas with advanced, extraocular tumors after enduring long waiting lists, frequently found themselves in a clinical environment where clear responsibility for their care seemed absent. Dr. Sadik noted a prevailing focus on more immediately treatable ophthalmological conditions, such as cataracts and glaucoma, which inadvertently left families facing the devastating realities of retinoblastoma feeling marginalized and without clear direction.
A pivotal turning point in Dr. Sadik’s career was his subsequent fellowship training in Canada. This experience provided a stark contrast to his earlier observations in Ethiopia. Under the mentorship of esteemed professionals like Dr. Brenda Gallie and Dr. Helen Dimaras, he saw the clear impact that a healthcare system that prioritized the early detection and comprehensive management of retinoblastoma could have, leading to significantly improved outcomes and renewed hope for affected children and their families. He recounted a particularly impactful story of a young patient with bilateral retinoblastoma in Canada. The quick observation of the glow, leukocoria, by the child’s mother, captured in a photograph, prompted immediate referral and intervention, ultimately resulting in successful treatment and the preservation of the child’s vision. The stark difference in outcomes compared to what he’d seen in Ethiopia ignited Dr. Sadik’s determination to bring a similar change to his own country.
Upon his return, the disparities he had witnessed as a resident became even more pronounced. He vividly described his encounter with a child and her mother who had undertaken a difficult 650-kilometer journey from a rural part of eastern Ethiopia. Her mother had first noticed the telltale “glow” in her eye when she was just 18 months old. However, due to a multitude of barriers and a two-year delay in accessing appropriate medical attention, the child presented with extensive, metastatic retinoblastoma. Despite the dedicated efforts of surgical intervention and chemotherapy, her prognosis was grave. This deeply personal encounter served as a powerful catalyst, reinforcing Dr. Sadik’s unwavering commitment to advocating for earlier detection and a more streamlined, effective care pathway for children with retinoblastoma in his country.
Ethiopia’s challenges in addressing retinoblastoma are multifaceted. Families often navigate a fragmented healthcare system, visiting an average of four facilities before reaching a specialist. Delays are further exacerbated by misdiagnoses from frontline health workers, cultural beliefs that attribute eye abnormalities to “evil spirits,” and the significant logistical and financial burdens of seeking care. Dr. Sadik emphasized that the fundamental issue lies not solely in public awareness but in a “broken healthcare system” characterized by critical gaps in training, resources, and referral pathways. Despite these considerable hurdles, progress is emerging. Local NGOs like Tesfa Addis Parents Childhood Cancer Organization (TAPCCO), which provides free chemotherapy, and international partners like Light For The World, CureBlindness and Orbis International, which support pediatric ophthalmology training, serve as vital lifelines that are beginning to bridge these gaps and offer hope for more sustainable improvements in care.
Building on his firsthand experiences and deep understanding of these systemic issues, Dr. Sadik’s groundbreaking research and advocacy have already begun to initiate change. He developed Ethiopia’s first national retinoblastoma treatment guidelines, informed by local evidence and reviewed by global experts. Additionally, the hospital where he works has prioritized retinoblastoma cases, significantly reducing surgical wait times from years to mere days. However, despite this progress, systemic gaps persist. The lack of essential imaging tools such as MRI and ultrasound, coupled with limited access to crucial counseling services for families navigating this difficult diagnosis, underscores the ongoing need for sustained investment and impactful reform.
The virtual meeting between KnowTheGlow and Dr. Sadik Sherief brought to light the unique blend of his personal journey, medical expertise, and passion for global advocacy.Dr. Sadik’s overarching philosophy is clear: “Act locally, but think globally.” Despite the opportunity to remain in Canada, he choose to stay in Ethiopia because he cannot abandon the children who continue to be marginalized. His calling extends beyond medicine, into advocacy for equity and access to care.
Dr. Sadik’s firsthand understanding of the intricate challenges within the Ethiopian healthcare system offers a valuable perspective that aligns with KnowTheGlow’s extensive resources and unwavering commitment to raising awareness.The KnowTheGlow awareness campaign in Ethiopia (August–October 2025) is a vital opportunity to educate communities, empower parents and caregivers, and ensure earlier access to specialized care. With support from professionals like Dr. Sadik, it could transform the lives of countless children and their families.
