BY LEULSEGED WORKU
Following the conflict occurred in the northern part of the country, several public and private infrastructures were damaged and hundreds and thousands of people have been exposed to in need of humanitarian assistance.
Especially, in areas where the war took place: in the Afar, Amhara, and Tigray states, the damages were too severe which led the rehabilitation and restoration operations more demanding.
Fortunately, these days subsequent to the agreement signed between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) to resolve the problems in peaceful manner and the commitment of the former, the rehabilitation and restoration activities of basic services and delivery of humanitarian assistance at war torn areas are carried out in more organized and sustained manner.
Basic services, such as electricity, telecom and water services have been restored in most of the areas including Tigray State. Likewise, the Ethiopian Airlines has also resumed daily flights to the Tigray State. The participation and cooperation of Ethiopians in rehabilitating is increasing significantly.
Recently, the Ministry of Health has announced that the reconstruction activity of damaged health facilities and delivery of humanitarian support in the areas where the conflicts took place have been strengthened.
At a press conference held at her Office regarding to activities carried out to restore damaged health facilities, access humanitarian support and works done to deliver healthcare services in war torn areas of Amhara, Afar and Tigray states, Health Minister Dr. Lia Tadesse said that over the last two years owing to the conflicts that took place in various parts of the country, healthcare service providing institutions, medical supply storages, and other facilities were damaged. Following this, the Ministry joining hands with various institutions and international partner organizations, is working to deliver basic services and humanitarian aid to various areas.
Mentioning that activities are carried out to access humanitarian aid, life-saving treatment as well as the reconstruction of facilities and access to health services for the communities where the conflict had occurred, Minister Dr. Lia said that particularly, since the peace agreement was signed, delivery of humanitarian support has been strengthened in coordinated manner.
As to the Minister, after the peace agreement, excluding partner organizations, merely the government has delivered close to 243 million Birr worth essential medicines and other medical supplies to the Tigray State.
After the peace agreement, further activities have been ongoing to provide humanitarian aid and restore the health system into its former state in Tigray State joining hands with concerned stakeholders, she added.
Meanwhile, recently, the Diaspora community residing in the Northern California; and Medical care professionals have donated over 27 million Birr worth medical supplies to Health Minister Dr. Lia Tadesse through their representative, Dr. Kidist Kidane, the Ministry of Health reported.
The medical equipment contributed by the Ethiopian Health Care Professionals and member of the Ethiopian community living in the Northern California will be provided to four health centers located in Wag Hemra and North Wollo, Amhara State.
Receiving the donation, Health Minister Dr. Lia Tadesse said that the donation is much helpful to resume the healthcare system in war affected areas.
Over the past few years, in various areas of the country several health institutions had been damaged due to the conflict. For this reason, various efforts have been made in to restore and rehabilitated the health centers in partnership with states’ health bureaus and pertinent bodies so as to resume services.
Extending her heartfelt gratitude to those Ethiopians who have donated the equipment, Dr. Lia called on all Ethiopians at home and abroad to support the efforts being carried out to restore the health centers in various parts of the country in every possible way.
The representative of Northern California Health Professionals and members of the Ethiopian community, Dr. Kidist Kidane, on her part said that due to the conflicts came to happen in the northern part of the country, a number of health centers were destroyed.
“Our team has worked very hard to raise the funds to accomplish this promised task. We collaborated with Med share, a nonprofit US based organization, that collects and donates medical equipment and supplies worldwide to sponsor and donate medical supplies and equipment’s, transported in two 40ft ocean containers worth to 27 million Birr,’’ she elaborated.
In the same development, Human Bridge Humanitarian Organization donated medical equipment worth over 30 million Birr to Woldia Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.
“The Health sector is one of the sectors affected by the conflict. Thus, the donation offered can support the efforts of the Hospital and enables it to carry out effective in areas of surgery, medical examination and child health services with a full capacity,” said Health State Minister Dr. Ayele Teshome. He also extended his appreciation on behalf of the Ministry of Health, the Hospital and those people who are receiving the service from the institute.
On his part, Deputy Head of Amhara State Health Bureau, Abdulkerim Mengistu has appreciated the commitments shown by Human Bridge Humanitarian Organization that donated the equipment to Woldia Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and; Woldia University and Abenezer Wongelawit Church of California that covered the transport cost of the medical equipment.
Organization’s Country Director, Adamu Anely, on the event said that Human Bridge has also performed similar services to other institutions damaged by the conflict and a package of additional five more medical equipment containers are prepared to be donated.
The handing over ceremony was attended by Woldia Comprehensive Specialized Hospital President, leaderships of North Wollo Zone, and Hospital’s administrators.
The Ethiopian Herald January 14/2023
