Physical Health Ethiopia Project #15525

Supporting Rural Health Centres in Ethiopia

by Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET)

Summary

THET has been working tirelessly in Ethiopia for almost 25 years, ensuring 60 hospitals and health centres have the staff and facilities they need to provide essential non-communicable disease (NCD) care in rural areas. This project will further build on this work, enabling people suffering from NCDs to receive the care they need. Since the start of the COVID-19, we have expanded this project to ensure that these particularly vulnerable patients can continue receiving NCD treatment safely.

$35,000
total goal

$8,754
remaining

266
donors

1
monthly donor

2
fundraisers

8
years

Challenge

NCDs and their complications are responsible for 43.5% of deaths in Ethiopia. For the 82% of the population living in rural areas, screening and treatment of NCDs is severely lacking, resulting in needless death and suffering. This has been worsened by the COVID-19 outbreak which has been devastating for the Ethiopian health system. The impact on those with NCDs has been immense: they are vulnerable not only because of their conditions but because their vital, regular care has been interrupted.

Solution

Building on our 25 years of experience in Ethiopia, we will ensure that NCD patients receive essential and uninterrupted care across 17 rural health centres. This includes a 9-month pilot project which will enable remote consultations for NCD patients using mobile phones. Alongside this work, we have and will continue to train and support health workers across the health system to ensure they are able to provide NCD care, while keeping themselves and patients safe during the pandemic.

Long-Term Impact

Over the last decades, THET has established strong partnerships with the Ministry of Health, universities and healthcare facilities across 6 regions of Ethiopia. By building on the skills, knowledge and relationships across all levels of the health system, we will ensure an equipped and integrated health workforce overall. This will not only improve the quality of life and mortality rates for NCD patients, but will result in an Ethiopian health system that is strengthened for all who need it.