Medicines, medical equipment worth over 810mln Birr delivered to Tigray region:  Health Minister

Addis Ababa, June 10, 2021 (FBC) – The Health Minister Dr. Lia Tadesse yesterday said the Ministry of Health, its agencies, and the Tigray Regional Health Bureau in collaboration with humanitarian and development partners have continued the efforts to restore and strengthen the delivery of health services in Tigray region.

In the press briefing session held yesterday, the Health Minister Dr. Lia Tadesse said 55 percent of the hospitals and 52 percent of the health centers in the region have currently been made functional.

Medicines and medical equipment worth 810,895,690 Birr have been delivered to the region, the Minister indicated.

Ethiopian Pharmaceutical supply Agency of MOH allocated 110 Million USD for implementation of recovery plan, and additional 215,086,658 Birr has been transferred from the ministry and its agencies for the response, recovery activities and for various health programs in the region.

Various professional experts have been deployed to the region to provide technical support.

Essential health services are being provided for free for IDPs, and in addition to the existing professionals, 80 doctors, 25 nurses and 15 midwives (a total of 120 health professionals) have been recruited by the RHB through the support of Ministry of Health and deployed in all IDP centers. In 17 IDP centers with large population, temporary clinics have been established.

Along with the efforts to make health facilities functional, 65 Mobile Health and Nutrition Teams, each consisting of 6-8 professionals, have been established by the government and partner organizations to deliver health services to the community, especially for mothers and children, and are providing various services in several woredas.

In the last 2 months 75,077 under five children were screened for malnutrition at facilities and by mobile teams and Outpatient

According to Dr. Lia, 409,963 people have received services in the last two months which includes MCH, delivery, HIV, TB, NCDS and others.

To improve ambulance services, 12 ambulances have been supported by the Ministry of Health and 8 ambulances supported from different regions. Currently, 58 ambulances are operating in the region. 65 ambulances are under maintenance and efforts are being made to get more ambulances through the government and partners. 15 vehicles were also provided to support the mobile clinics and commodity delivery in addition to those provided by partners.

To provide the necessary treatment and support to victims of gender-based violence, so far a total of 57 mental health, psychological and social support professionals are providing services in 6 cities.

To facilitate access to physical, psychiatric, social, and legal services, new one-stop center services have become operational at Mekelle Hospital, Axum, Shire, Maychew, and Adigrat in addition to the existing one in Ayder Hospital. In addition, a Toll-free line (8983) has been set up for reporting to prevent and reduce the risk of gender based violence.

COVID-19 testing has also been started and covid-19 treatment is being provided in 2 centers in Mekelle, one in Adigrat, and one in Axum hospitals. Preparations are underway to open treatment centers in Maychew, Wukro, Shire and Kuiha hospitals. A budget for this activity has also been transferred.

In addition to prevention and treatment, more than 128,000 vaccine doses have been sent to the region and so far, more than 87,000 doses have been administered so far, of which around 3700 was given for IDPs.

To alleviate the recent shortage of oxygen, 308 oxygen containing cylinders have been delivered. 160 oxygen cylinders for OR are also sent. Ayder and a private center oxygen plants are under maintenance while Federal budget has been allocated to set up a new production facility.

Coordination with Humanitarian and Development Partners: Supporting with supplies like nutrition, emergency kits, providing actual service delivery.

Many challenges remain and we urge all to continue to support in all aspects, the Minister added.