CARE Ethiopia in collaboration
with government partners conducted two 30 by 30 cluster nutrition surveys
in the lowland and dry midland areas of seven woredas in West Hararghe and
lowland areas of four woredas in East Hararghe from November 18 to 30, 2003.
The major objective of this survey was to monitor any changes in nutritional
status of the population overtime. In West Hararghe, as per the Emergency
Nutrition Guideline, the November 2003 survey findings do not indicate a
critical and serious level of malnutrition. However, both GAM rate (8%) and
SAM rate (0.6) have not statistically significantly improved compared to
the previous survey result in June 2003 (GAM 10.1%, SAM 1.3%). The current
GAM rate (8%) and SAM rate (0.6%) show a significant improvement in nutritional
condition compared to the first round survey result (GAM 15.1, SAM 3.6%)
in September 2002. In East Hararghe although findings indicate poor nutritional
status, both GAM rate (9.1%) and SAM rate (0.4) demonstrate a significant
improvement in nutritional condition compared to the first round survey result
(GAM 14.9, SAM 1.5%) in May 2003.
MOH,
WHO AND UNICEF HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON MALARIA RESPONSE
The Ministry of Health, WHO
and UNICEF held a press conference this week on the Government's and its
partners' response to the ongoing malaria epidemic and to correct misleading
reports that have appeared in the media. The Malaria Control Support Team
(MCST), which is the malaria forum chaired by the MOH and attended by UN
agencies, donors and NGOs, has agreed to the following strategies to respond
to the malaria epidemic: Rapid anti-malaria drug distribution and outbreak
response; targeted indoor residual spraying (IRS); and the distribution of
insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) free-of-charge to the most vulnerable groups
in the worst affected areas. All interventions are
being strengthened through detailed micro-planning, training, social mobilization
and supervision at the regional and district level. The MOH is currently
conducting a study, with the support of MSF Holland and WHO, on the efficacy
of ACTs in the country. Another study on the efficacy of the anti-malarial
SP, to identify and verify resistance levels, is also underway by the MOH
with WHO support. The results of both studies will be available early next
year. Based on those findings, the MOH will evaluate whether the national
anti-malarial drug treatment policy should be amended. If so, UNICEF and
WHO will support adoption and application of the new policy in order to maintain
effective control of malaria morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia.
NEW
STEPS IN THE implementation OF A NATIONAL NUTRITIONAL PROTOCOL
A five-day workshop on the
management of acute malnutrition, malaria, Integrated Management of Childhood
Illnesses (IMCI), HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis/Leprosy in health training institutions
was conducted in Yirgalem Hospital, SNNPR, from 22-26 December. UNICEF Nutritionist
provided orientation on the management of acute malnutrition to 25 participants
from five Health Professionals Training Institutions (HPTIs) and Regional
Health Bureau (RHB) during the SCF-US financed workshop. The SNNPR Health
Bureau and HPTIs have taken the lead in adopting the improved protocols on
the treatment of malnutrition and other communicable diseases into the training
curriculum. Workshop participants also discussed their experiences implementing
the protocol on the management of acute malnutrition, including the results
of the deployment of 200 students in SNNPR health units during the crisis.
The participants concurred that the implementation of the protocol saved
many children in SNNPR during the recent crisis. The SNNPR workshop follows
up on the national consensus meeting held in Nazareth in June in which the
protocol on the management of severe acute malnutrition in Ethiopia was adopted.
In addition, a three-day training workshop on the protocol conducted by UNICEF
in North Gondar, at the university teaching hospital, Amhara region, from
November 26 to 28 2003. Health Professionals from Jimma and Addis Ababa Universities
will be trained in January 2004.
Over
600 People Displaced by Violence in Gambella provided with food aid
The Gambella Woreda Administration
Council stated that over 600 people displaced by the recent violence by lawless
groups were provided food and other forms of assistances. According the Woreda
Deputy Chief Administrator, 90 quintals of food grain, and various liters
of edible oil and plastic sheet have been distributed among the people whose
residential homes have been destroyed. The number of people affected by the
recent violence in the Gambella state is yet to be identified.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT UN OCHA - ETHIOPIA 44 44 14/44 41 22