The government of Ethiopia though declared a unilateral ceasefire with a view to facilitating the smooth flow of humanitarian aid in Tigray State; the terrorist TPLF group has continued committing several crimes by expanding the conflict into the neighboring Amhara and Afar states.
Reports revealed that the group has been committing several atrocities, genocide, including killings, gang rape, and looting properties and demolishing facilities in the Amhara and Afar regions it invaded. Hundreds of thousands have also been displaced from their homes.
As Ministry of Health confirmed, in both states, the terrorists have vandalized over 27,500 health facilities.
In her recent briefing, Health Minister Dr. Lia Tadesse said that all the health facilities and medical equipment were looted intentionally and were made “non-functional”.
However, the Ministry is working along with various development partners to restore the services as well rehabilitate them and let health institutions resume the basic services.
To this end, it has organized a taskforce that evaluates the level of the damage in all conflict-hit areas. Furthermore, to make sure that the services have resumed and let communities get basic services, the Ministry has created a platform joining hospitals that are located out of the conflict areas with hospitals found in conflict-hit areas and vandalized. The platform is yielding encouraging progress with a productive outcome. Many have resumed rendering services in a shorter time.
As to her, through this platform, hospitals are now rendering services hospitals and amenities are supplying communities with basic health services like delivery and emergency services.
“Though it is testing time, if we stand in unison, we can save the lives of many fellow citizens, and this is our prime duty and responsibility,” she underlined.
Mentioning the damage is too severe and demands time and resources to make the services full-fledged; she said “we need much support from the diaspora communities and the locals.”
Eka Kotebe Specialized Hospital Medical Director Dr. Yared Agdew for his part noted that following the effort and direction given by the Ministry, Eka Hospital was assigned to Hayk Hospital, to make sure that the hospital resumes services.
“We launched to mobilize resources that sustained for five days. And the hospital assigned health professionals and sent medical items that are worth 7.5 million Birr. As a result, it is enabled to recommence services to the surroundings communities.”
According to the Director, by supplying with the necessary equipment and medicines that could help the Hospital to resume its emergency, delivery, laboratory, pharmacy services, it is enabled to make it operational in a short time.
“Ensuring development is not as simple as a distraction. However, with the joint efforts of all, we are able to ensure the resumption of all services that Hayk Hospital had been offering,” he noted.
Chief Executive Director at St. Peter’s Specialized Hospital Tamiru Assefa for his part said that the hospital is working along with Boru Meda Medial Hospital that is found in South Wollo. The hospital is now active to give services. As he said, St. Peter’s Specialized Hospital has supplied medical and related items that are worth of 6 million.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD DECEMBER 24/2021
