Ministry, partners expediting delivery of medicines, medical supplies to conflict, drought affected areas

Addis Ababa, April 9, 2022 (FBC) – Ministry of Health said it jointly with partners is expediting delivery of medicines and medical supplies to Tigray and other parts of the country affected by conflict, drought and natural disasters via both road and air transport.

In a press briefing, Deputy Health Minister, Dr. Dereje Duguma noted that large number of people are suffering from manmade and natural disasters in several part of the country.

The Ministry is working with the National Emergency Response Task Force led by the Deputy Prime Minister and various partners to address the pressing humanitarian situations caused by conflict, drought and other conditions.

Currently, there are more than 294,000 IDPs in Afar region, he said, adding that preventive works is being carried out to protect them from epidemics that might occur due to the situation. Out of the total IDPs in Afar, 63,000 are receiving humanitarian assistance, he indicated.

The State Minister said that 120,000 IDPs in Afar have been vaccinated against Small Box and Cholera. Breast feeding mothers, pregnant women and infants below 5 are being provided with medical and nutiritional services with help of 30 mobile clinics, Dr. Dereje unveiled.

Saying that there are over 1 million IDPs in the Amhara Region, Dr. Dereje said that 130,000 people out of the total displaced people have received basic medical services.

Medical and nutritional services are being delivered to affected communities in the region through 53 mobile centers, he said.

More than 600 mental health professionals have been dispatched to several parts of the region where they assisted over 10,000 people affected by post traumatic cases.

Dr. Dereje also said that victims of gender based violence are being provided with medical and legal services.

A wide range of preventive activities are well underway in drought affected areas of Somali, Oromia and Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples (SNNP) Regions from communicable diseases, he indicated.

Small Box and Cholera vaccines have been given to 196,000 people in Somali and to 424,000 in Oromia region in order to prevent spread of epidemics in drought affected areas, according to the State Minister.

Survey studies show that 14pct of child population in drought affected areas are vulnerable to malnutrition, he said, adding that there has not yet been death report due to the situation.

Saying that similar problems are affecting people in need in Tigray, Dr. Dereje stated that the necessary supplies are being distributed in the region in partnership with the World Health Organization and other international relief agencies.

Malaria and Tuberculosis medicines are being delivered to the region via air transport, he added.