BY STAFF REPORTER
The past four or five decades have been the times that the world has faced a number of health threats and the global community has undergone several new health challenges. Including the outbreak of new pandemics such as the HIV infections, Ebola and Zika viruses, the novel COVID-19 pandemic and Monkeypox; aside from other non-communicable diseases mainly cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer among others have claimed the lives of millions and challenged countries’ economic development.
At the same time, the years were the period that tremendous progress was achieved in the sector. Over the years several achievements that were once believed to be unthinkable have turned into realities. As the old adage goes, ‘necessity is the mother of invention’, the challenges have created opportunities to advance the health sector. In turn, encouraging developments are witnessed.
Organ transplantation, which was once one of the most inconceivable medical practices, has now become the easiest activity among the health practitioners of several countries.
Ethiopia has also run into its share – both the challenges and the opportunities and passed through a number of incidents. However, following the efforts made to advance the healthcare system and take control of those global threats and other ailments, if not to minimize their burdens, encouraging achievements are registered.
It was possible to expand health facilities across the country, increase the number of health professionals, intensify and extend the reach of their engagements. What is more, it has been able to facilitate the provision of medicine to be as comprehensive as possible. In doing so, it was possible to improve the health system of the country, advance the system and mitigate the backbreaking encumbrances of the diseases. The recent experiences, the occurrence of the Coronavirus pandemic and the success it itemized can be cited in this regard.
Recently, the first ever exhibition, the National Health Exhibition 2023, that showcases the advancement of country’s health progress and the latest advancements in the health sector- from innovative medical devices to groundbreaking research- was opened under the theme ‘Harnessing the power of technology and digital solutions for prosperous and healthier future,’ at the Ethiopia Science Museum.
As it is learnt, the exhibition, organized by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Healthcare Federation, the Office of the Prime Minister, shows the journey of the health sector. It vividly depicts the progress of the Ethiopian health sector and narrates its story clearly – from where it began to where it is and where it wants to be.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (Dr.) said these days, health is one of the pressing issues that threatens the world; and will continue to be a major challenge in the future. Ethiopia is not exceptional in this regard. Health is one of the most serious national matters which is given due attention; and this concern should be strengthened. In this regard, such exhibitions will open an opportunity to learn, share experiences and discuss the existing reality in the health sector, he remarked.
At the exhibition, the data system that St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College uses to keep patients’ medical history and information was displayed to visitors. While speaking about the Hospital’s record system, Lecturer at the College Tulu Getu (MD) said that the health sector is experiencing progress in various ways. This includes the way patients’ medical histories are recorded and kept. In earlier years, new patients were registered and served through patients’ cards.
However, today, this system has been replaced by a digitalized system and each and every medical history of a patient from the beginning to the end the treatments he/she has taken including laboratory tests, medicines prescribed and similar cases are fed in computer and shared with the physicians. The system, apart from opening doors to safely keep records of individual patients, creates opportunities for the professionals to have swift information, provide efficient services and avoid unnecessary lines of people.
Moges Tesfaye, a Laboratory Expert at this same Hospital, also exhibited the latest machine that is used by the hospital for blood count tests. As he stated, the Hospital has installed the latest laboratory equipment and is now serving patients efficiently. Moges claimed that the modern laboratory apparatus used for blood counts (blood testing) has the capacity to detect roughly 100 blood samples at once and produce results quickly. This laboratory machine is more advanced than the old one and saves time and money, according to Moges.
The exhibition also featured Ethiopia’s traditional medicines, which are one of Ethiopia’s ancient cultures of treating various ailments; it has attracted the interest of more visitors; and provided a chance for them to learn more about traditional medicines.
Traditional medicine is the front indigenous knowledge that Ethiopia is widely known for, said Abrham Waleligne, a traditional physician. In an exclusive with EPA, Abrham said that indigenous treatment of ailments by using various types of herbs, animals and minerals, is a wisdom that passes down from generation to generation. Their healing ability is well attested.
Nowadays, the provision of traditional treatments has seen significant strides. In earlier times because those individuals with these wisdoms had been labeled negatively, it had impeded the knowledge to flourish accordingly. Luckily, at present the knowledge is moving forward with the time and several people are benefiting from indigenous traditional medicines.
Mentioning the incalculable benefits of traditional medicines, he said: “However, we have not made the best use of our expertise and utilized resources. Ethiopia is home to more than 7,000 medicinal plants, yet we have only used a tiny fraction of them.”
He also remarked on the endeavors exerted and the attention given to the asset to advance Ethiopian traditional medicine by the Ministry of Health and professionals through aligning it with modern technology as well as the contemporary medical science. There are numerous improvements and promising prospects for the future.
At the exhibition, from the indigenous knowledge to the latest artificial intelligence medical technologies that indicate the level Ethiopia has reached in the health sector are displayed.
According to Moges Tesfaye, a laboratory expert at Saint Peter’s Hospital, the hospital has installed the greatest laboratory equipment available and is now serving patients as part of its effort to update its services. Moges claims that the laboratory apparatus used for blood counts (blood testing) can take in roughly 100 blood samples at once and produce findings quickly. This laboratory machine is more advanced than the old one and saves time and money, according to Moges.
The National Health Exhibition opened on June 20, 2023will stay until July 19, 2023, it was learnt.
The Ethiopian Herald 25 June 2023
