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ABSTRACT
The Modern Health System was introduced after World War II. It had a strong Italian imprint because the Italians who tried to colonize the country brought several doctors and nurses for their own use and many remained behind after the war was over. The system was urban based and biased and it remained so all the way to the downfall of the Feudal regime of Emperor Haile Selasse. Under the military regime (1975-1991) more rural clinics were built but they were chronically short of basic supplies. The current regime has introduced several innovative strategies including the Health Extension Programme, the Health Officers’ Accelerated Training with the support of the Carter Center. The challenges are many. We are living in the age of HIV/AIDS, a complex disease with more social and behavioral dimensions than the traditional biomedical genesis of pathologies. We are also in a globalized world where markets rule heavy handedly by draining poor nations such as Ethiopia its very essential soft ware in health: doctors and nurses. The prospects of realizing the six MDG goals related to health should be gauged through this prism. Donor support and solidarity is very important and at times vital. Ethiopia has no choice but compete in the global market the costs notwithstanding. Gebre Ab Barnabas MD, PhD
Head, Tigray Health Bureau
Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia
Presented at the International Conference: Dermatological Care For All... a Basic Human Right
Venue: Addis Ababa and Mekelle, Ethiopia
Time November 1-4, 2006 |
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