Supporting Rural Health Centres in Ethiopia

Despite the social and political challenges facing Ethiopia, at the moment, the THET team continues to provide vital health systems strengthening services to aid patients with non-communicable diseases (NCD), made more vulnerable to COVID-19. We conduct training sessions and are developing telemedicine services, through providing telephone consultations, for those especially vulnerable or residing in remote regions/areas of unrest.

Whilst Ethiopia has managed the coronavirus pandemic with great success, preparations have focused on larger hospitals in Addis Ababa and the larger urban centres in Ethiopia, thus, THET has chosen to target central and northern Gondar zones. It should be noted that it is rural communities with poor housing conditions who are most susceptible to infection, as overcrowding and difficulties in maintaining adequate hygiene create a higher likelihood of infection. Those travelling from rural regions are facing barriers towards access to healthcare as national regulations have reduced passenger loads on vehicles and are curtailing movement, thus travel has been made difficult and expensive. To tackle this issue THET is promoting the use of tele-consultations.

It is only through your continued support that THET has trained 39 health professionals in COVID-19 preparedness, across three hospitals. Of the 39 health professionals, 13 will act as trainers who will further cascade knowledge to the wider healthcare community. This will greatly benefit patients as it means a greater improvement in the healthcare providers’ knowledge, and skill on management and prevention of Covid-19 at primary level with a focus on NCD patients.

The unrest occurring in Ethiopia has caused delays and logistical challenges towards delivering training sessions, yet the THET team is determined to pursue our goals. We sincerely thank you for your unfaltering support - without which our projects would not come to fruition.