National Backup Laboratory Services launched officially
The Ethiopian Public Health Institute officially launched the backup laboratory services of the five Federal Hospitals in the presence of His Excellency Honorable Ato Demeke Mekonnen Deputy Prime minister of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and His Excellency Dr. Kesetebirhan Admassu, Minister of Health, on August 6, 2015 in the Institute’s conference hall.
During the official launching ceremony of the backup laboratory services, Ato Demeke Memonen, Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, said that the government of Ethiopia is committed to address the public health problems by giving equitable and quality health services in all health facilities throughout the country.
“The laboratory backup services which we launched today in the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, is one of the efforts we are making to improve the health services to deliver fast and quality results on time through avoiding the discontinuity of the laboratory services that are being given in the Federal Hospitals” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
His Excellency Dr. Kesetebirhan Admassu, Minister of health on his part said that, the Federal Ministry of Health is undertaking different measures to give response for the public health problems. Dr. Kessetebirhan said, we have implemented a pilot backup laboratory service delivery program between Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Black Lion and St. Paul’s Hospitals. He said, the program was successful and now it is planned to expand the service to the other three Federal hospitals: St. Amanuel, St. Peter and Alert hospitals.
Dr. Amha kebede, Director General of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, also said that though the institute was focused on the public health problem solving researches for the last few years with limited referral laboratory services, this time we are dedicated to provide the backup service using our profound experience in delivering laboratory services for the public at large.
Following the direction by the Ministry of Health, the memorandum of understanding was made between the Institute and five Federal hospitals. The service is also expected to be extended to additional three Federal hospitals whenever their services get interrupted by the dysfunction of laboratory equipments and shortage of reagents.
The signatory ceremony was done by the signature of the CEO’s of respected Institutions with the Federal Minister of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute Director General, which will be a governing document for the coming one year.