Addis Ababa: The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced today a 35-million-USD initiative aimed at improving health and nutrition outcomes for mothers and children in the pastoral regions of Ethiopia.
USAID Deputy Mission Director Eleanor TanPiengco and Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba inaugurated the initiative dubbed Lowlands Health Activity project that would be implemented by Engender Health Inc., along with a consortium of international and local partners
The project will span 35 districts across the Somali, Afar, Southern Ethiopia, and Oromia regions, according to the U.S Embassy in Ethiopia.
The Lowlands Health Activity will offer services to marginalized populations such as primary healthcare, access to quality services, the adoption of healthy behaviors, and health facilities that provide essential reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent, and nutrition services.
The project directly supports the achievements of USAID’s and Ethiopia’s Health Sector Transformation g
oal, aimed to prevent maternal and child morbidity and mortality, it was learned.
Since 2017, USAID has supported maternal and child health in pastoralist regions through the Transform Health in Developing Regions project, which has advanced key health indicators, such as skilled birth attendance and immunization coverage.
Deputy Mission Director TanPiengco stated at the launch event, ‘The Lowlands Health Activity will enhance access to skilled birth care and comprehensive pre- and post-natal services for mothers as well as improved healthcare and nutritional services for their children. Additionally, it will aid in the restoration of conflict-affected health facilities in Afar.’
According to the statement of the embassy, this new project symbolizes the ongoing partnership between the American and Ethiopian people.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency