The government of Ethiopia, realizing that health is the foundation to generate a productive society, is investing considerably and working unwaveringly to build healthy communities. As part of this, various works have been carried out to expand health infrastructure, advance the healthcare system, deliver improved healthcare services and address health related challenges in a meaningful way.
Recently, the 25th Annual Conference of the Health Sector was conducted for three consecutive days, from November 1-3, 2023, under the theme “Strong Health Financing for Sustainable Health Development” in the presence of Addis Ababa City Mayor Adanech Abiebie, Health Minister Lia Tadesse, (MD), heads of states’ health bureaus, invited guests, medical professionals and health sector actors and pertinent bodies, according to Ministry’s social page.
Speaking at the conference organized by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Addis Ababa Health Bureau, Mayor Adanech Abiebie said that the government has given due emphasis for the health sector and is working to improve the services as a healthy citizen is the foundation of a productive society.
In this regard, the City Administration has given due attention and is working on expanding health infrastructure and community-based healthcare services.
She also presented the major activities carried out in the capital in the health sector. Mentioning that health related challenges that come to happen following urban lifestyle demand special care and attention, Adanech said that her administration is taking measures that promote a healthy lifestyle in a manner taking into consideration the existing reality.
According to her, the City Administration by allocating a huge amount of budget is working on expanding health infrastructure, improving the supply chain, increasing health insurance coverage, providing training for health professionals and undertaking community health programs in the capital.
“We have also started implementing the ‘Early Childhood Development Program’ in our city in order to generate children who are well developed mentally; and to help them reach to the mental and physical development that should be achieved by nature as well as to make them healthy, productive and competent citizens in a way the program becomes a model for the country. For the reason that a healthy citizen is the foundation for a productive community, we are working focusing on ensuring the health and safety of the residents and targeting that producing healthy citizens is a key goal for our development.”
Health Minister Lia Tadesse (MD) announced that the next 3-year plan for the health sector has been prepared in accordance with the direction set by the government.
According to the Minister, in the last Ethiopian budget year, though conflicts and epidemics created a number of challenges in the health sector, encouraging results were registered in the area. The Ministry of Health will work to make universal health services accessible for all.
Stating the core activities carried out in the sector, and highlighting that health finance is the focus of this year’s conference, the Minister said that structural review and a road map that enables to increase the participation of the private sector is prepared.
She also revealed that works, including maternal and child health, renovating damaged health institutions, and control of epidemics among others, will get special attention. In view of this she urged health professionals, stakeholders, and all health sector actors to join hands and work together to make the effort a success,
Deputy Head of the Addis Ababa Health Bureau Mulugeta Endale (MD) for his part said that the health sector conference will be a platform that participants share good experiences; he said adding that the Health Bureau is implementing a number of programs to ensure the quality of services in accordance to the development of the city.
The Representative of HNP, Scott Hocklander also said that it is evident that there has been growth in the health sector in Ethiopia, especially in community health, health financing, and the participation of the private health sector. He also expressed determination to work together so that the Ministry of Health can achieve its set goals.
In relation to the 25th Annual Health Sector Conference, a delegation led by Prof. Afework Kassu, Executive Director of Armauer Hansen Research Institute, paid a visit and witnessed the level of healthcare service provision in Ane Dima Health Center, located in Burayu Sub-City, of Sheger City, Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College and Janmeda Health Center.
Following the visit, Prof. Afework said that the implementation of maternal and child health services, outpatient medical services, the implementation of the Health System Bottlenecks Focused Reform (SBFR), digital information management and other services witnessed in the three health institution are encouraging and can be a good experience for visitors. They should be further strengthened.
In the same manner, on the first day of the conference, lifetime achievement recognitions and awards, outstanding performance recognition and appreciation certificates were given for those serving at the health sector as well as in various areas for their notable and especial contribution in the health sector.
In this regard, health professionals who have demonstrated outstanding performance in the sector received recognition. Equally, acknowledgement was given to health extension professionals selected from all states. What is more, a health exhibition that shows the advancement of the sector was carried out.
The conference was attended by more than 500 participants, including members of the House of Representatives, ministers, professional and civic associations, university representatives, respondent institutions, and partner organizations, it was learnt.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2023
