Ethiopia and Tigray, how to respond to the emergency for citizens’ health and rebuild the health system

ROMA – In Ethiopia, the health service is structurally inadequate to meet the medical care needs of a large part of the population: the few public hospitals that exist are mostly located in the capital; private clinics are paid and therefore within the reach of a small and disproportionately low number compared to the majority of the population. Therefore, the second most populous African country on the continent (after Nigeria), with approximately 124 million citizens, survives amidst deep and ancient inequalities: 33% of the population lives below the poverty line; 40% is under 14 years old; life expectancy stops at 64 years.

The drama of those who need treatment. It is a state of affairs that effectively prevents a huge number of sick people from accessing medical care, because they are unable to afford the cost of a hospital bed, medicines and everything that the doctor needs to treat the patient. And it is especially in rural areas that there is a serious shortage of health facilities, if not their complete absence. Especially the absence of medical and nursing staff. Getting treatment is a luxury that only a few can afford.

The intervention of CUAMM and VIS. Now, with the support of the Italian Cooperation (AICS) Italian government, Doctors with Africa Cuammin collaboration with the Vis – international volunteers for development – kicks off a new major intervention that will affect the entire region, from the hospital to health centers. About 2 years after the peace agreements, Tigray still presents a dramatic humanitarian situation. There have been 500,000 victims of the conflict and there are now about 1 million internally displaced people.

The main objective of the intervention. The intervention, which involves the Shire district, aims to respond to the health needs of the population, exhausted by an atrocious conflict. The main objective: the rehabilitation of the Shire hospital, a reference for approximately 2 million people, and of the 5 health facilities in the surrounding area, which offer basic assistance to the inhabitants and internally displaced persons (approximately 1 million), 80% of whom are welcomed by the communities and families of the area. There are many components to the project that will allow for a substantial improvement in the health system of the entire region.

Hospital renovation. Major renovation and rehabilitation works will be carried out at Shire Hospital and Neonatology, in particular, with the renewal of patient access points and the commissioning of the electrical and hydraulic systems, for the supply and distribution of water, and waste disposal, all of which were heavily damaged during the conflict. Equipment and supplies of medical materials, drugs, laboratory reagents and diagnostic equipment (ultrasound, x-rays) will also be provided. Training of health personnel will also be an integral part of the intervention. A major intervention that will be carried out in collaboration with the Vis, the authorities and local communities (Tigray region).