Statement to BBC News in response to MSF’s report on the status of health facilities in Tigray
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The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia would like to reiterate the Government’s commitment to restoring and strengthening essential services in the Tigray Region.
However, it should be made clear that the Tigray Region sustained significant infrastructural damage and disruption as forces loyal to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) retreated from federal forces during the early days of the law enforcement operation. This caused critical disruption to essential services including health facilities, telecoms, electricity and transport.
Since then, the Government has made concerted efforts to rebuild and rehabilitate the region, as well as provide humanitarian support. The report by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which by its own admission was based on visits to the Region between mid-December last year and early March, fails to acknowledge recent developments in the health sector, which is rapidly resuming service. In particular, the report that only one in 10 health facilities in Tigray are functioning does not reflect the situation on the ground.
According to the latest situation update from the Committee of Ministers of the National Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC):
- 75% of hospitals in Tigray region are now operational; 10% are operating partially, and the remainder under maintenance
- 90% of health care workers are providing the required health services: in the past couple of weeks, 1,583 mothers have received maternity care in hospitals; 44,000 outpatients were treated; 967 inpatients received medical services
- Preparations to re-launch community-wide COVID-19 testing are complete
Furthermore, a delegation led by the Minister of Health, Dr Lia Tadesse, also recently visited Mekelle as part of efforts to strengthen health services in Tigray and ensure public access. Over the weekend, the Health Minister and the Regional Administration launched a COVID-19 Vaccination campaign in the region with health workers and prioritised groups among the first beneficiaries.
The Government of Ethiopia acknowledges that though there have been significant challenges brought on by the TPLF’s armed insurrection in November, it remains fully committed to rebuilding the region by prioritizing the restoration of physical and social infrastructure, including health services.
The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia also calls upon its development partners and the wider international community to stand with Ethiopia at this critical time by helping augment the Government’s efforts to ensure the provision of humanitarian aid and critical services to the people of Tigray.
—ENDS—
For further information, please contact the Press Office on 020 7838 3883 | press@ethioembassy.org.uk
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