Ethiopian Orthodox Church Initiates Partnership to Improve Health Services

Addis Ababa, 17 December 2013 -- At an event that brought together the diplomatic community, develop-ment partners, UN agencies, the private sector and the Ethiopian Government on 10 December 2013 at Sher-aton Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOC) presented the Mekelle Debre Amin Abune Teklehaimanot Public Hospital and Medical College project.

The project aims to provide free health services to the disadvantaged through comprehensive and integrated health services encompassing health education, preventive activities and the treatment of communicable dis-eases to the community at large. Income generated from paying patients and from the medical college will allow the hospital to provide the intended free services to those unable to pay.

Ambassadors of Norway, Sweden and France, as well as other members of the diplomatic corps and development agencies, Heads of UNDP, UNFPA, WHO and UNIDO, and other distinguished guests attended the ceremony.

The event was graced by the presence of His Holiness Abune Mathias, Patriarch of Ethiopia and Archbishop of Axum, Echege of the See of St. Tekle Haimanot. H.E. Ato Abay Woldu, President of Tigray Regional State, Honorable Dr Kebede Worku, State Minister of Health, and a representative of Honorable Ambassador Ber-hane Gebre-Kristos, State Minister of Foreign Affairs were also present.

Speaking at the opening, Ato Abay Woldu, President of Tigray Regional State, underscored the fact that strengthening health service delivery is key to achieving Ethiopia’s Growth and Transformation Plan, and commended the project for its vision of encompassing the poor and underprivileged in its services.

To commit the UN System in Ethiopia, Dr. Pierre M’pele, WHO Representative in Ethiopia, spoke on behalf of Mr Eugene Owusu, UN Resident Coordinator, commending the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and announcing that the UN stands ready to provide capacity building support in the context of the project.

Closing the ceremony, Dr. Kebede Worku, State Minister of Health, acknowledged the participation of Health Partners on behalf of the Ministry, and also confirmed the commitment of the Government of Ethiopia to strengthening health services for the betterment of the health of the people of Ethiopia.

The total cost of the project is estimated at Birr 38.8 million (US$ 2.1 million) and the construction of the hos-pital and medical college is aimed to be completed by the end of 2015.

 01 His Holiness Bitsue Abune Mathias Patriarch Of Ethiopia And Archbishop Of Axum Echege Of The See Of St Tekle Haimanot Blessed The Event 02 Presentation Of The Project By Ato Amanuel Hadera 03 H.E. Ato Abay Woldu President Of Tigray Regional State Speaking At The Event
_________________________________________________________________

For more information, please contact:

Ato Amanuel Hadera amanuelhg [at] gmail.com Tel: +251-911 24 9494; or

Loza Mesfin lozam [at] et.afro.who.int Tel: +251-911 144 194