Ethiopian Ministry of Health to provide more family planning services

The Ethiopian Ministry of Health has announced plans to provide family planning services to 8.5 million mothers across the country during the current Ethiopian year.

The ministry intends expanding health services to every citizen during the reported period, said the head of Public Relations Service, Ahmed Imano.

He said the ministry would distribute contraceptives to mothers through health stations in the country.

The ministry would also train 600 health professionals for the same purpose and they would in turn train nurses already in service at health institutions.

It also plans to revise and distribute family planning guidelines among regional states, partner organisations and educational institutions as part of the set target.

He said providing health care to mothers and children as well as disease prevention and control were among the priority activities of the ministry, which had strengthened the prevention and control of HIV and AIDS, tuberculoses and malaria.

Encouraging results had so far been achieved through concerted efforts aimed at fighting against the diseases, he said, adding that the ministry planned to provide services aimed at preventing HIV transmission from mother to child.

Source: BuaNews (Ethiopia), 10/12/2007

Categories: Ethiopia, Advocacy and Accountability Working Group, Systems Strengthening Working Group