Launches summer health sector volunteerism program
ADDIS ABABA – Some two million citizens would receive free healthcare services in the summer volunteerism program, Ministry of Health (MoH) announced.
The Ministry in collaboration with the EkaKotebe General Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital launched a summer volunteer program in the health sector to provide free healthcare services.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, MoH Minister Mekdes Daba (MD) stated yesterday that the Ministry has set to provide free healthcare services to some two million citizens, including citizens who cannot afford health care costs, in the summer volunteering campaign.
According to her, some 100, 000 citizens would receive free healthcare services in EkaKotebe and St. Paul’s Hospitals in the first week of the campaign.
Different medical services would be provided to economically vulnerable societies during the coming two months so that the MoH planned to collect 40, 000 unit blood, Mekdes expressed.
It has also planned to plant half a million tree seedlings, construct 15 shelters and undertake other activities as part of its summer volunteerism program. The initiative needed the involvement of private and public health institutions as well as all stakeholders, she said.
“Volunteer service campaign shouldn’t be practiced only in summer season, but it should be continued during the whole seasons. Over the past five years, the MoH provided medical treatment to some 3 million citizens. The Ministry has planted some 11 million tree seedlings across the country in collaboration with states health bureaus, hospitals, employees and respective institutions,” she noted.
For his part, EkaKotebe General Hospital Executive Manager, Abel Tesfaye (MD) said that the hospital has set to provide free healthcare services to 40 to 50, 000 citizens within seven days.
And the hospital has been working to support health professionals to cultivate a culture of medical volunteerism, he added.
BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 27 JULY 2024
