Afrigather ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Dr. Owen Legal guidelines Kaluwa, the World Well being Group (WHO) Consultant to Ethiopia, not too long ago led a senior delegation on a vital mission to evaluate well being actions and strengthen partnerships throughout the Dire Dawa Metropolis Administration and the Harari and Somali regional states. Carried out from July 2 to July 4, 2024, this marked Dr. Kaluwa’s first subject mission since assuming his position in April 2024.
The mission aimed to offer a firsthand analysis of WHO’s ongoing operations and improve relationships with regional well being, administrative, and political leaders, in addition to different key stakeholders. The delegation reviewed varied well being initiatives, together with illness prevention packages, maternal and baby well being providers, and emergency response actions, amongst others.
Engagements in Dire Dawa
In Dire Dawa Metropolis, the delegation acquired a heat welcome from Mayor Kedir Juhar, who mentioned town’s fast city development and its related challenges, together with insufficient water, sanitation, and healthcare providers. The mayor additionally shared his administration’s plans to construct a contemporary hospital to handle a few of these well being points
Discussions with the Dire Dawa Metropolis Well being Bureau targeted on the inflow of healthcare seekers, the pressure on present services, and the dearth of medical health insurance for a lot of every day laborers—a difficulty WHO goals to handle by means of its Common Well being Protection (UHC) initiatives.
The delegation additionally toured key well being services, together with Sabian Basic Hospital, Dire Dawa Trauma Middle, and Goro Well being Middle. These visits allowed the staff to watch efforts to reinforce healthcare supply regardless of restricted sources and to interact with healthcare staff about their challenges and wishes.
Strengthening Ties in Harari Regional State
Within the Harari Regional State, Dr. Kaluwa and his staff met with President Ordin Badri and his cupboard, who expressed deep appreciation for WHO’s contributions to regional well being interventions.
A symbolic tree-planting ceremony at Harar Well being Science School highlighted WHO’s dedication to combating deforestation and addressing local weather change—components more and more acknowledged as important to public well being.
Addressing Well being Challenges within the Somali Area
Within the Somali area, the delegation engaged with WHO workers, UN companions, and NGOs to evaluate extreme well being challenges, together with ongoing cholera and malaria outbreaks. On the Karamara Basic Hospital’s malnutrition stabilization middle in Jigjiga, the staff noticed the remedy of malnutrition instances following WHO tips. They famous using digital methods to reinforce communication and coordination amongst healthcare suppliers, which has been essential in managing well being information and responding to emergencies.
The expansive pastoralist areas of the Somali area current vital healthcare entry challenges, which WHO is addressing by means of the deployment of Cellular Well being Groups. These groups have successfully reached distant, underserved communities close to the borders, offering important providers equivalent to vaccinations, maternal care, and illness prevention.
Dedication to Lengthy-Time period Well being Initiatives
Regardless of the numerous challenges, the areas have demonstrated a robust dedication to enhancing well being providers. Dr. Kaluwa reaffirmed WHO’s help by means of its 14th Basic Program of Work (GPW14), which emphasizes Well being Safety, Well being Promotion, and Common Well being Protection (UHC). This program goals to help nationwide well being authorities in making certain that important well being providers are accessible with out inflicting monetary hardship.
“WHO is devoted to strengthening world well being safety by growing sturdy methods to forestall, detect, and reply to public well being emergencies. We additionally prioritize well being promotion initiatives to foster more healthy existence and environments,” Dr. Kaluwa said. He highlighted the significance of sustainable well being packages that tackle each quick and long-term wants, reflecting WHO’s dedication to enhancing well being outcomes throughout Ethiopia.
Future Instructions and Partnerships
The mission concluded with a renewed dedication to strengthening partnerships and enhancing collaboration with regional stakeholders. Observe-up actions will contain growing joint methods to handle the recognized challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings just like the Somali area. Dr. Kaluwa’s go to underscored WHO’s ongoing dedication to supporting Ethiopia’s well being sector by means of focused interventions and collaborative efforts, making certain that probably the most weak populations obtain the care they want.
