Ethiopia

Country Information

Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa with over 85 million residents. Located in East Africa, it is home to diverse ethnic groups and nationalities. Addis Ababa, the capital, is host to over three million residents as well as many of the continental and international organizations, including the African Union (AU) and Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

Despite such stature, Ethiopia still ranks as one of the poorest countries in the world. Like many other Sub Saharan African countries, poverty, lack of clean water and proper sanitation , affordable and accessible health care have had a negative impact in the major health indicators. According the 2007 Summary report by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, Health and Health Indicators, the probability of an infant born in Ethiopia dying before its first birthday was 77 per 1000, while the probability of dying of a similar infant born in the continent of Africa or Northern America were 86 and 6 per 1000 respectively. Like many other Sub-Saharan African countries, 12% of children born in Ethiopia die before they turn five while 0.8% of children born in the United States die before their fifth birthday. Unfortunately, 60- 80% of these untimely deaths were from vaccine preventable or treatable diseases. In 2005, malaria and pneumonia were the leading causes of deaths in infants and children. Even though HIV/AIDS is not the major causes of deaths in children, it has made a significant negative impact in the health and welfare of the country; according to Health and health indicators report for 2007 by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, the HIV prevalence for 15-49 year old Ethiopians 2.1%, with the prevalence rate as high as 7.5% in urban areas like Addis Ababa.

While research shows vaccination is one of the most effective ways of preventing childhood illnesses, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health reports for 2007 shows full immunization rate for eligible children throughout Ethiopia was 53%. As the world rejoices over the near total eradication of polio, children in parts of Ethiopia are still being infected with the polio virus. However, vaccination is not the only preventive service that is inadequately utilized.

Of the nearly three million deliveries nationwide, 52% received prenatal care while only 16 % of the deliveries are attended by a health care professional. Therefore, opportunities are missed at multiple levels from providing newborns a healthy start.  Despite these unacceptable rates of infant and childhood mortalities, none of the 146 hospitals in Ethiopia are exclusively dedicated to providing services to children. Congruent with the shortages of health care infrastructures, the short fall of skilled health care workers has compounded the problem.  Despite the concerted efforts of governmental and non-governmental organizations, there is one physician available for 42,700 people, far below the World Health Organization standard of one physician per 10,000 individuals.

The reasons for such poor health indicators are multi-factorial. Decades of civil strife contributed to a stagnant economy resulting in minimal investment in health care infrastructure and man power development. Unsafe environments, especially in the rural areas, prevented vital immunization programs as well as extension of clean drinking water. Lack of economic incentives prompted well trained health care workers to seek employment outside Ethiopia. Because of minimal government or employer financed health care coverage, most of the healthcare expenditures in Ethiopia are out of pocket. Thus, many people forgo preventative health care services because of their low income and high out of pocket health care cost. Consequently, children and women of child bearing age disproportionately absorb the brunt of such health care environment as they are the most vulnerable.

Despite such alarming health care indicators, targeted interventions can reverse these statistics. By specifically addressing the needs of the pediatric age group as well as women of child bearing age, affordable and accessible preventive care can be provided to combat treatable infectious illnesses that are contributing to nearly 80% of infant mortality. Mass immunization, preventative and ongoing health screening to children and expecting mothers are major targeted interventions that will help reverse some of the negative health indicators.

Current trends indicate, unless a comprehensive intervention that involves the government and non-governmental organizations (NGO’S) is undertaken, a 50% projected decline in under five mortality by year 2015 (from the current 123 death per 1000 live born) will fall far short of expectation. For its part, the Ethiopian government is spending $ 1.6 out of the $ 4.6 spent annually on health care per capita. This figure is far below the World Health Organization (WHO) minimum health care expenditure of $30 per capita per annum. With such financial limitation by the public sector coupled with the severe shortage of skilled health care worker, the private sector has to step up its effort to meet the needs. Such need is one of the major driving forces behind the current project undertaken by Gemini Health Care Group. Gemini Health Care Group is the non profit organization that is incorporated in the United States that is going to partner with various stakeholders to build a state of the art children’s hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.