KOICA vows continued support to Ethiopia’s health sector through SHaPE2 Project
By Wondesen Aregahegn
Addis Ababa, July 25, 2024 (FBC) – Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in partnership with Yonsei Global Health Center (YGHC), which is the implementer of the “Smart, Happy and Prosperous Family Project I Ethiopia” (SHaPE2), held a radio handover event as part of the “National Campaign for Promoting Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavioral Change in Population and Reproductive Health.”
YGHC handed over 7,800 modern radios and other electronic equipment such as loudspeakers to six regional states and two city administrations in Ethiopia as part of the efforts to enhance health advocacy and related works focused on sexual and reproductive health and family planning in the country.
KOICA Ethiopia Country Director, Cho Han Deog, described the material support as a significant milestone in the SHaPE2 Project, affirming his commitment to the collaborative efforts supported by the Korean government through agency to the Government of Ethiopia.
“Over the past 9 years, this project has been tirelessly working to improve the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the community regarding population and reproductive health, with a particular focus on family planning,” Cho Han Deog noted.
“Before embarking on this phase two SHaPE project, a baseline survey was conducted to assess the status of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and family planning in the beneficiary regions. In response to these findings, today we are proud to announce the handover of 7,850 radios, 4 loudspeakers, and 4 generators that will be distributed to the regions.”
He added, “These resoureces will empower the communities with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.”
This initiative is a testament to the unwavering commitment of Ministry of Health of Ethiopia, KOICA, Yonsei Global Health Center (YGHC), and all stakeholders involved in the SHaPE 2 project, he elaborated.
Segni Dufera, who represented the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, stated that the electronic devices donated by YGHC with financial support by KOICA are of a significant importance in the national efforts to raise the public awareness on sexual and reproductive health and family planning activities.
Segni said YGHC through the SHaPE project has been supporting production of health education inputs such as radio dramas, short plays, spots that have contributed in increasing the public awareness in the areas of maternal, child and adolescent health services.
He further highlighted the importance of such projects in enhancing the capacity health institutions at all in achieve the goals of creating a healthier and productive community.
By Wondesen Aregahegn