Gov’t providing medical equipment loans in war affected areas: MoH

Addis Ababa, January 8, 2022 (FBC) – The government of Ethiopia is now providing basic medical equipment loans to health facilities in the conflict- affected areas through credits, Ministry of Health (MoH) said.

During his interview with EPA, MoH Medical Equipment and Input Director Regasa Bayisa highlighted that, health facilities in those war affected areas have been damaged and become nonfunctional due to various reasons.

Owing to this fact, he said that a number of activities are being carried out to replace the medical equipment with new ones. In doing so, the government is providing wheelchair, stethoscopes and other inputs to health facilities on loans.

Though the medical equipment is on loan from Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Service (EPSS), he said efforts are being exerted to cover the loans by the Ministry of Finance on behalf of EPSS. Since most of equipment was not operational for too long, maintenance activities are being carried out by professionals, he said.

However, the director further noted that primary health care service is being delivered to the public in most of the health stations located in war affected areas.

Medical follow up and examination of pregnancy, family planning, emergency surgical treatment and other services, among others are being provided in the health facilities.

Subsequent to the prompt activities undertook to rehabilitate heath facilities in war affected areas in Amhara and Afar states, almost all health stations have currently become operational, as to him.

By the same token, he said following the peace deal, efforts are being exerted to start providing medical service in Shire, Axum and Adwa areas, Thus, around eight hospitals and 26 health stations have gone operational. And, within few days of operation, over 83, 000 people have gained health service.

Likewise, supplementary foods such as plumpy’ nut are also being provided to various war affected people in the state.