Bridging the gap in gastrointestinal healthcare in a resource-limited setup: Feasibility study of weekend endoscopy services in Southwest Ethiopia

The study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of a weekend outreach endoscopy service led by a trained gastroenterologist in a rural Ethiopian setting. The unexpectedly high prevalence of upper gastrointestinal disorders, including cancers, and the long duration of symptoms before endoscopy likely reflect delayed diagnoses due to limited access to endoscopy. Moreover, presence of alarm symptoms predicted major endoscopic findings. Expanding endoscopy services, increasing public awareness, and further research into risk factors and preventive strategies for these diseases are recommended.