Fact Ethiopia

After the 1986 E.C. (1974) Revolution, a change in health policy was made. Thus the National Democratic Revolutionary Programme (NDRP) states, “to ensure full and meaningful life for the broad masses, all the necessary efforts will be undertaken to provide adequate health services”.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Health formulated its policy in terms of an emphasis on disease prevention and control, priority to rural health services, promotion of self-reliance and community involvement in health activities.

As a result, a considerable increase in the number of health service units can be observed since the start of the revolution of 1966 E.C. (1974).

Health stations increased from 650 to 1916, health centres from 93 to 140, hospitals from 84 to 86, and hospital beds from 8624 to 11,000. The annual output of trained health personnel of various categories has increased from 766 to 1627.

A significant achievement was also gained in the field of control of communicable diseases. Right after the revolution, small-pox was eradicated through mass involvement.

The Expanded Programmed on Immunization (EPI) against 6 childhood diseases has been launched nationwide, and vertical programmes such as the Malaria Control Service, National Leprosy Control, etc, are being integrated step by step into the existing general health service system.

The Community Health Service, which is a new system of health care delivery through organized community health activities, has been initiated during the past 10 years.

These community health activities are being carried out by trained Community Health Agents (CHAs) and trained Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) who are selected, supported and administered by Peasant Associations (Pas), or Urban Dwellers’ Associations (UDAs);. At present there are about 4500 CHAs and 5000 TBAs.

The Ministry of Health is responsible for their training, technical supervision, monitoring and evaluation through health stations and health centres.

In addition to supporting and administering the CHAs and TBAs, communities are also actively involved in the establishment of new health service units, maintainance expansion of the existing units, control of communicable diseases and other activities.

The five Health Service maps show the distribution of various services in 1974 E.C. (1982), and their density in relation to population estimates as of the same year. The graph shows the significant increase in basic infrastructure since 1966 E.C. (1974).
Major constraints encountered in the plan implementation were as follows.

- Low implementation rate of construction of health institutions
- Shortage of trained manpower
- Insufficient health budget
- Inadequate supervision, monitoring and evaluation of health service units

Concerning health, the Ten-Year Plan of 1977-1986 E.C. (1985-1994) has specific objectives, strategies, targets and programmes.

According to the Plan there will be an increase of Community Health Services from 4500 to 36,000; in the number of Health Stations from 1916 to 3600; in the number of Health Centres from 140 to 360, and a substantial increase in hospital beds. Besides, all available health services will be strengthened.
 

(Source: National Atlas of Ethiopia)