In any country’s community service program, volunteerism is always at the center because its contribution to lessen societal challenges, strengthen togetherness and belongingness, foster social cohesion and national integrity is incalculable. According to the World Volunteer Report, volunteers make a significant contribution to economic and social development in most societies around the world.
In truth, the practice of helping each other and extending a helping hand to fellow citizens in times of both good and bad is not a new trend for Ethiopians; but it is a firmly established culture of the society they have been exercising it for a long time. Currently to further deeply rooted the existing culture of cooperation and collaboration among the young people, enhance togetherness, appreciate diversity and, Ethiopia is working committedly and undertaking various activities through its summer volunteers programs.
Under this program, Ethiopians, regardless of any differences, age, gender, status or any other disparities, are participating in various activities such as meal sharing, renovation of houses, planting seedlings, donating blood, health and health related initiatives and other productive activities in a more organized manner than before.
As part of this annual summer volunteer program, the Ministry of Health has recently started renovating and repairing the derelict houses of the disadvantaged segments of the society. According to information from the Ministry’s social page, this year’s summer volunteering service will be carried out throughout the country.
Speaking at the program Health Minister Lia Tadesse said that the renovation work of houses for the needy has started in collaboration with Alert Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. And in addition to those houses renovated in other districts, a plan is set to repair four houses in Woreda 5 of Kolfe Keraniyo Sub City. Likewise, aside from Addis Ababa city, similar voluntary activities would be carried out in states, she revealed plans.
Recalling that house renovation works of the poor have been carried out for long in collaboration with woreda administration bodies, Alert Comprehensive Specialized Hospital the Chief Executive Officer, Shimeles Gezahegne (MD.) said that, currently, the hospital has taken over the houses to carry out renovation works joining hands with the Ministry of Health.
Kolfe Keranyo Sub City, Woreda 5 Chief Executive Samuel on his part said that the hospital has been executing its social responsibility in various areas. Subsequently, it has started the renovation works of houses. In the past few years, the Ministry of Health has handed over 41 houses for beneficiaries after renewing and furnishing them.
Meanwhile, the St. Peter’s Specialized Hospital has also launched a nationwide summer volunteer program with the theme “kindness for our health.” As it is learned, the program is carried out for the second time, and it is part of the activities that are designed is carried out in summer volunteer program to deliver free health treatment services to citizens who want to access free medical services mainly for the vulnerable group of the society, who cannot afford to pay for health care costs, street children and the like.
Launching the program, Health State Minister Dereje Duguma (MD) said that the program is planned to benefitting 1.2 million citizens by accessing free healthcare treatments. Children, adults and elderly people will benefit from this program. Concurrently, blood donation, which is the most important life-saving activity- as well as a number of undertakings, will be executed.
Recalling that in the preceding year’s volunteers program, it was made possible to support over one million people, Dereje said that such kind of free activities will also continue in strengthened manner in this rainy season and over 1.2 million peoples are expected to benefit from this round voluntary program. He also urged medical professionals to exert utmost effort to make the program a success.
According to the State Minister, the summer voluntary service programs that have been carried out across the country have yielded significant outcomes and reduced the socioeconomic burden of many citizens. And the health sector is an area where many sections of our society who cannot get services in the regular health service system, including street children, children residing in adoption centers, senior citizens who cannot visit health institutions due to lack of money, can get free healthcare treatment and counseling services, examinations, and medicines freely.
This section of the society can get treatment for health problems such as dermatology and ophthalmology, non-communicable diseases, heart, kidney, ear and teeth tests, plus ultrasound and ECG services in all both private and public health institutions, Dereje remarked. Summer health volunteer service is the time that gets health practitioners and the society together; and those neglected citizens will be remembered and a time that every citizen will give special attention to health.
Chief Executive Officer of Medical Service at the Ministry of Health, Elubabor Buno (PhD) on his part said that at this year’s voluntary health services, the Ministry of Health will give due attention in providing medical services for those people who cannot pay for the health services.
St. Peter’s Specialized Hospital Chief Executive Officer Metasebiya Mesfin (MD) also said that the summer volunteer free health check-up and treatment service is of greater significance in terms of enabling health institutions to work closely with the community as well as to implement preventive and protective measures. Equally important, it is crucial to pass on the culture of virtue to the future generations
Mentioning that an activity was carried out to create twinning that enabled St. Peter’s Specialized Hospital to support and provide medical services to Zewditu Meshesha Memorial Child Care Center, Macedonia, Home for the Elderly, Yewedekutn Ansu – a charity association for the destitute and abandoned people-, the CEO said that specifically, the Hospital has signed Memorandum of Understanding with Zewditu Meshesha Memorial Child Care Center.
At the launching ceremony, various voluntary activities such as provision of educational materials for students, clothes for the elderly, blood donation and free examination and treatment services, and leaving fingerprints through green legacy initiative were carried out. The health sector volunteer program and free medical treatment services will be carried out in all health institutions located across the country.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 25 JULY 2023
