Review meeting held on Drancunculiasis Eradication programs
The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), conducted a National review meeting on the Drancunculiasis Eradication Program in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health, National Regional State of Gambella Health Bureau, The Carter Center and WHO from December 14 to 15, 2015 at Gambella town Gambella Regional State.
The objective of the meeting was to review the progress made in 2015 Wereda by Wereda, to evaluate the level of implementation of the previous recommendations, to identify constraints and challenges to be met in the year 2016, to review the national plan of action for the year 2016, to formulate recommendations for accelerating interruption of the disease’s transmission and certification of its eradication.
His Excellency Mr. Gatluak Tub President of the National Regional State of Gambella, in his opening remarks said that to eradicate the Guinea Worm disease from Gambella Region, it is high time to strengthen our collaboration and coordination efforts at all levels with the Federal Ministry of Health and partners.
Honorable World Laurite Dr. Tebebe Yemane Berhan, member of the Board of Trustees for LCIF representing Africa and Goodwill Ambassador for Guinea Worm Eradication Program in Ethiopia, in his key note address said that we have to work very hard and enhance our joint efforts at all levels in all concerned sectors to eradicate Guinea Worm disease from Gambella Region and make Ethiopia free from this disease by the year 2016.
Dr. Amha Kebede, Director General of the EPHI, on his part said that ”I would like to reaffirm the commitment of my Government and specifically my Institute, which is the technical arm of the Ministry of Health, to break transmission of Guinea worm disease by the year 2016 from Gambella Region”.
Mr. Craig Withers Vice President for Health Programs of The Carter Center, Dr. Esther Mary WHO Country Office delegate, and Dr. Zerihun Tadesse country representative for The Carter Center had also delivered key note addresses.
During the review meeting Gambella Regional Guinea Worm Eradication Program performance report, 12 Weredas Guinea Worm Eradication Program performance report, Refugee Camp Guinea Worm Eradication Program performance report, SNNPR Guinea Worm Eradication Program performance report, role of the Health Extension workers in Guinea Worm Eradication Program in Gambella Region, and Status of Ethiopian Dracunculiasis Eradication Program’s logistics and documentation report of the year 2015, were presented and discussed respectively.
In this workshop about 16 recommendations were forwarded and attracted about 170 participants from Federal Ministry of Health, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Gambella Regional Health Bureau, SNNPR Health Bureau, The Carter Center and WHO.