Since its outbreak in Wuhan, China on December 2019, the coronavirus pandemic has been spreading rapidly, covering every continent and creating huge human causalities and economic damages. Its negative impact is being felt in developing countries.
Obviously, lack of basic health necessities and logistics would be a chronic problem in third world nations like Ethiopia. The World Health Organization (WHO) forewarns that lack of COVID-19 testing centers and other important facilities will be a formidable challenge to African countries. The Ethiopian Government has been vigilant in testing people who come from abroad and those who show symptoms of the pandemic.
However, the absence of sufficient COVID-19 testing centers and modern service provision in the country is besetting the nation. Having understood this deficiency, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has vowed to expand testing centers in different parts of the country. In her daily COVID-19 related briefing, Minister of Health Dr. Liya Tadesse makes clear the strategies the Ministry has designed to launch wide-ranging testing service nationwide.
‘‘The spread of the virus is spiraling out of control. Hence, various preventive activities are being undertaken to combat the pandemic. We are working to contain the spread through launching strict follow ups and testing schemes,’’ she explains. Airports, malls, cafes, restaurants, hotels and other service providing institutions would be viable places for contracting COVID-19.
Having realized this, the Ministry has been accomplishing intensive testing campaigns especially in Bole Airport. However, as this would not be enough, Dr. Liya reaffirmed that stepping up the testing service will be made a point of till it ripples nationwide. In line with testing COVID-19, people who have tuberculosis have been prioritized for testing service and activities done so far are effective, as to the Minister. ‘‘Vulnerable people to the pandemic due to their professional obligations, for instance pharmaceutical professionals, drivers, pilots, immigration employees, tour and travel agents were tested in droves.
Testing centers are being launched in different parts of the nation,’’ she points out. Adding: “as far as facilities are concerned, the importation of masks, ventilators and other basic equipment has been finalized. Besides, we are endeavoring to produce some of them locally.’’ Apart from expanding testing service, empowering health professionals would have pivotal role in combating pandemics like COVID-19. Hence, the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged governments to invest on training nurses and health experts to combat the pandemic and to transform the health sector.
General Director of the organization Tedros Adhanom calls up on governments to reform their health system through empowering nurses. ‘‘Nurses have decisive role in improving health system. Nowadays, many nurses find themselves on the frontline in the battle against COVID-19. But they still lack basic logistics. Thus, we have to support them to keep the world healthy. They should be empowered to build capability of serving their people successfully,’’ he underlines. On the other hand, states have been undertaking encouraging testing services to rescue their people from the pandemic.
For instance Tigray Health Research Institute has introduced testing labs and it has been providing service since 1April 2020. Director of the institute, Dr. Tewelde Wubayehu says that the testing lab could test and confirm the result of up to 270 people per day and those who are being tested are negative. He adds that the institute would intensify its service to other areas in collaboration with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute.
The Ethiopian Herald April 12/2020
BY TSEGAY HAGOS
