Samrawit Wubshet, a 22-year-old graduate in public health from Birhan Victor College, embarked on her professional journey during a time when finding  work in Ethiopia's healthcare sector seemed almost impossible. Like many other healthcare graduates, she faced the harsh reality of a job market riddled with countless barriers. The scarcity of healthcare positions and limited entry points for recent graduates was a source of worry for many. including Samrawit.

Samrawit combed through job platforms and online postings, hoping to find employment. That moment came when she stumbled upon a job posting by Rohobot on” Doctors Online”, a Telegram channel for healthcare professionals. The company, which specializes in home-based healthcare, had advertised an opportunity for public health and nursing providers.

Determined and hopeful, Samrawit applied immediately. The hiring process was thorough and involved multiple steps, including theoretical exams, interviews, and hands-on training in essential nursing procedures like catheter and Nasogastric tube insertions. This rigorous onboarding process ensured that every candidate was qualified enough to meet the standards and delicacy providing healthcare required. For Samrawit, this opportunity not only marked the beginning of her professional career, but it also gave her a sense of purpose and financial independence.

As a homecare nurse with Rohobot, Samrawit plays a critical role in improving the lives of her patients by administering medical care directly in their homes, sparing them the physical strain and logistical challenges of hospital visits. Many of her patients require chronic care, which not only takes a toll on the patients, who often face prolonged physical discomfort and emotional strain, but also significantly impact their families, who may struggle to manage the continuous emotional and practical demands of caregiving.

By stepping in to provide professional, compassionate care, Samrawit alleviates these burdens. She ensures that patients receive the consistent medical attention they need while giving families peace of mind and the ability to focus on other aspects of their lives. “We reduce the patient’s pain while easing the family’s stress. It’s fulfilling to know our work makes such a difference,” she says. This dual impact underscores the essential role of home-based healthcare in creating a better quality of life for both patients and their loved ones

The systemic challenges she overcame highlight the importance of organizations like Rohobot. In a country where healthcare professionals often struggle to find work, Rohobot provides a vital bridge, creating dignified and impactful work opportunities for healthcare graduates.

Beyond professional development, Rohobot’s commitment to empowering women has been especially meaningful to Samrawit. The company prioritizes hiring women, providing access to roles that are not only dignified but also fulfilling. Safety, a critical concern in home-based care, is addressed through stringent protocols and agreements with clients. “They reassured us from the start that we would be supported and protected and if for any reason we felt discomfort they equipped us with safety procedures and that they would be a call away” she reflects.

Samrawit’s typical work schedule, which follows the standard on-call rotation for homecare nurses, includes flexible shifts, either 24-hour on-call shifts three times a week or alternating 12-hour shifts. This flexibility allows her to balance her personal and professional interests while making a steady income of up to 7,500 birr per month.

Looking ahead, Samrawit sees her role at Rohobot as part of a larger transformation in Ethiopia’s healthcare system. As the company grows, it plans to introduce specialized training programs and expand its services, paving the way for greater professional development and financial opportunities for its workers. For Samrawit, this growth is not just about personal advancement,it’s about contributing to a healthcare system that is more inclusive, empathetic, and accessible.

Samrawit’s journey illustrates the profound impact that thoughtful interventions can have in dismantling the current healthcare employment barriers. Through her dedication and Rohobot’s supportive framework, she has not only found meaningful work but has also impacted the lives of numerous families. Her story speaks to the potential of home-based healthcare in transforming lives,one patient, one family, and one worker at a time.