Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Addis standard1
Published on 2024-02-19 11:39:45
The World Health Organization (WHO) has set up 17 standard cholera treatment centers across Ethiopia in response to the rising cholera death toll and widespread impact of the disease in various regional states. The initiative is critical for saving lives and ensuring that those affected receive rapid and effective care and treatment.
The current outbreak of cholera began in August 2022 in the Harana Buluk district of the Bale Zone, and has since spread to at least eight regions and city administrations, including the capital Addis Abeba.
The treatment centers are self-contained medical facilities that operate 24/7, each equipped with its own general services such as bathrooms, showers, kitchen, laundry, morgue, and waste areas, as well as stocks of medical and logistics supplies, water, and electricity. These centers are located in Addis Abeba City, Afar, Amhara, Central Ethiopia, Dire Dawa, Oromia, Sidama, and Southwest Ethiopia Peoples’ Region.
The number of cholera cases in Ethiopia has increased rapidly since March 2023, with over 2,276 cases and 50 deaths, putting 3.3 million people at risk. A subsequent report in May 2023 revealed nearly 6,200 cases across 54 areas, resulting in 94 deaths and endangering 7 million people. By early August, the cases had continued to rise, with over 16,800 reported cases and more than 370 deaths, mainly in the Oromia, Sidama, and Somali regions.
In July 2023, the outbreak was reported in the conflict-ridden Amhara region, with 2,500 confirmed cases across 25 districts. Approximately 190 suspected cases and 4 deaths were also recorded at the Kumer refugee camp, which accommodates 10,000 Sudanese refugees, as of September 2023.
The cholera treatment centers have a combined 718-bed capacity with designated rooms for screening and triage, observation, admissions (female, male, and special care), recovery, waste disposal, laundry, chlorine preparation, kitchen, and morgue. They are fully equipped with medical equipment. Establishing these centers followed discussions with local health officials and community members to prevent environmental contamination and pollution, according to WHO.
In November last year, the European Union announced an additional €1 million in humanitarian funding to aid the response to the outbreak.
This response to the cholera outbreak in Ethiopia is a significant effort to combat the spread of the disease and save lives. Through the establishment of these treatment centers, WHO and its partners are working to ensure that those affected receive the care and treatment they need to recover from this devastating disease.
Read the original article on Addis Standard
