As per the international agreement leaders of different countries reached, every individual across the globe, leading life in whatever living condition, is entitled for a quality health care service. Ethiopia is striving to fulfill its set goal of delivering all-embracing health service by 2030. Hence, there is a call for building a strong and fair health system. Exertion, integrity and tangible action are imperative. As to Ministry of Health (MoH) source, all-embracing health service includes all basic health services: quality health care, disease prevention, quality therapy and recovery service.
To ensure an all-embracing health service, focus should be placed on health problems that results in illness and death. From Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) ,which has been in agreement by United Nation in 2015, assuring all-embracing health service is the main goal. SDG goal number 3.8 has a great role in ensuring vast economic development, reducing poverty and promoting social justice going beyond health sectors.
But, often health problems occur out of the blue. As such, for the past lots of years, citizens have been confronted by economic challenges. Health service presupposes exorbitant cost. As such, people will be forced to sell their own goods. As a result people in developing countries will be forced to go far from their surrounding in search of services. For the past two decades, the Ethiopian government has been working towards health institutions coverage. As to the Ministry of Health(MoH), the country has done lots of activities to address health service for the society.
Twenty five years back, the ratio of citizens to health stations, hospitals and specialty hospitals used to be low. Girima Ashenafi is head of State Ministers Office Secretarial with in the Ministry. Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald, citizens are relatively getting better service from the institutions. As to the Ministry’s 2009 E.C source, there are more than 18,800 health posts across the country and they are giving services at kebele level. More than 3,900 health stations and 289 first level hospitals are serving citizens. But first-level hospitals are not that accessible to citizens.
Currently, access to general hospitals is 100 percent achieved. According to Girima, there are about 92 general hospitals in the country and each hospital can give services for one million people. Speciality hospitals are also accessible almost 100 percents. There are about 21 specialized or tertiary level hospitals and each are set to give service for 5 million people. Except the first level hospitals, most types of health institutions are more accessible than ever before, agreed Girima. More attention is given to filling the gap. It cannot make equitable the accessibility of health institutions only by putting in place health institutions, quality service obligates, experienced human power, modern health institutions, materials, drugs and lots of resources.
As to Girima, regarding international requirements, it can make the combination of the health service giver and service seekers. As to WHO’s measurement, one physician can help for 10,000 persons, he added, so it is in line with this measurement ,one physician gives service for 12 thousand people in the nation. As to studies conducted two years back, there are more than 8460 physician in the nation. And also more than 58,000 nurses and more than 16 midwives are giving services. But regarding to speciality experts, the nation is working to fill the gap highly. But still there are limitations.
Ministry of Health(MOH) also has been working to fulfill high quality technology materials especially in referral hospitals. The nation is on the road of transformation in every sector. So, the health sector is the one and main one. Girma added that, it will be focus on some issues to facilitate better service for the public. Addressing quality service and assuring fairness will enjoy added attention. On the other hand, to change the nation’s health service system, must be given focus for Wereda Level transformation. And it will moderize the information system to support all movement.
Herald January 27/2019
BY GENET FEKADE
