Since the State of Emergency (SoE) put in place, member of the Inquiry Board have been conducting various field inspections in different parts of the country. These visits have been directed at following up the progress and finding out the gaps identified in areas of COVID-19 spread and prevention.
During their visit in Addis Ababa, where the spread of the various seems fast, members have observed institutions, quarantine centers, hospitals, police stations, bus terminals/stations, and lowest government levels in the capital, Addis Ababa.
During their visit to zonal administrations, towns of Oromia and Southern states members have also observed activities that are being practiced to halt the spread of COVID.
In exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Petros Woldesenbet, Board Chairperson said that the board visit to the mentioned regional states have a significant role in identifying gaps in areas of state of emergency and learn the best experiences to halt the spread of COVID.
According to him, for about ten days the board had been conducting field observations in seven zonal administration in Southern region where coronavirus case confirmed. “We have finished our visit in southern regional state and presented the feedback to the concerned government officials in the region and regional state Vice President – Eristu Yirdaw – and COVID-19 Prevention Task-Force,” as he said.
Based on its visit, the Board has appreciated activities done by region to curb the spread of coronavirus pandemic. As part of prevention mechanism, COVID-19 Prevention Task-Force is established that included the different regional bureaus and all zonal administrations. They did also preparatory works by establishing sub-committees that extended to districts (woredas) and kebele levels.
Petros noted that the regional state has done a great job in areas of resource mobilizing, sending suspected individuals to quarantine, developing sustainable communication system from regional to lower administrative levels, creating awareness to the public about the deadly virus by mobilizing professionals and healthcare workers and by using different media outlets.
Many of zonal administrations have equipped with oxygen cylinders, monitors and other medical equipment. Zones have also sent medical equipment and medicines, face masks, surgical gloves, and sanitizers to districts (woredas) and city administration centers, according to him.
He stated that zonal administrations have made ready Technical and Vocational centers, Educational institutions and Training centers for quarantine and treatment center.
“Zonal administrations have also organized their health professionals, nurses, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, janitors, keepers, and others for prevention measures. The board has witnessed these professionals are doing their job well with dedication.”
Mentioning weak sides observed by the board, Petros said that there is lack of corresponding diagnostic tools in some hospitals and medical centers; and public’s unwillingness to wear face mask. He also said, the board has also observed forgetfulness among people to keep social distancing and avoid social gatherings.
Region’s COVID-19 Prevention TaskForce and sub-committees are focusing on creation of awareness to the public instead of arresting people for failing to comply with the provisions of SoE. The concerning bodies are trying to solve the problems by educating the public.
Because of this the numbers of detainees are few. Members of the board have also visited prisons and so far they did not receive any complain regarding inhuman treatment, he noted.
Petros said that, during its visit the board has observed absence of uniformity in areas of implementation of SoE and the board have informed to the concerned organs about the gap. “The officials of the region have appreciated our feedback and they have promised to solve the problems.”
The board will also conduct field observations in future in different parts of the country to follow up the implementation of State of Emergency, he added.
The Ethiopian herald June 5,2020
BY ABDUREZAK MOHAMMED
