June 20, 2005
No. 28/05

The United States Government Donates Medical Equipment for Rural Health Facilities

Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) -- The U.S Embassy, coordinating with the Federal Ministry of Health, announces the purchase and handing over of 6.4 million birr worth of medical equipment purchased via USAID/Ethiopia for 100 rural health facilities to improve reproductive health and family planning in the following regions:

- Tigray will receive 1 million birr worth of equipment
- Amhara will receive 1.4 million birr
- Oromia Region receives 2.1 million birr
- SNNP Region receives 1.4 million birr
- Benishangul-Gumuz receives 529 thousand birr

The rapid population growth in Ethiopia is a serious challenge to the development efforts of the nation. Ethiopia has one of the highest rates of population growth in the world, estimated at 2.7% per annum in 2003 and a total fertility rate of 5.9 children per woman (National Office of Population, 2003). If the current rate of growth remains unchanged, Ethiopia's population of 74 million will double in less than 25 years. Compounding the rapid population growth are HIV/AIDS and the cycles of drought. In view of these challenges, the Government of Ethiopia has made a strong national family planning program an integral part of its social and economic development objectives.

USAID is closely supporting the work of the Federal and Regional Health authorities to expand access to and improve the quality of reproductive health services throughout Ethiopia and to meet the reproductive health needs of Ethiopian families.

USAID has funded Pathfinder International to assist the Ministry of Health in expanding family planning services through an integrated community outreach program that is linked to the health facility through a cadre of volunteers called Community Based Reproductive Health Agents (CBRH). The CBRH Agents go door-to-door advising and counseling women on the reproductive health options available to them in their near-by health facility.

The equipment donated to the Ministry of Health on June 20 helps in meeting the reproductive health needs of Ethiopia. One hundred rural health facilities in the regions noted above will benefit from this medical equipment.

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