Since the first reported cholera outbreak in Ethiopia on August 26, 2022, the Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) have continued to respond to the ongoing outbreak with technical and financial support from WHO and other stakeholders.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken a significant step towards combating cholera in Ethiopia by setting up 17 standard cholera treatment centers across the country. This initiative, which is critical for saving lives, ensures that those affected receive rapid and effective care and treatment.
A Cholera Treatment Center (CTC), is a self-contained medical facility that operates 24/7 and has its own general services such as bathrooms, showers, kitchen, laundry, morgue, and waste area, as well as stocks and resources namely medical and logistics supplies, water, and electricity.
To improve the availability, accessibility, and quality of patient care for cholera treatment, WHO has established 17 standard CTCs in 8 regions of Ethiopia, including Addis Ababa City (2), Afar (3), Amhara (1), Central Ethiopia (2), Dire Dawa (1), Oromia (2), Sidama (2), and Southwest Ethiopia Peoples' Region (4).
These CTCs have a 718-bed capacity with designated rooms for screening and triage, observation, admissions (female, male, and special care), recovery, waste disposal, laundry, chlorine preparation, kitchen, and morgue. They are equipped with medical equipment. Establishing these CTCs followed discussions with local health officials and community members to prevent environmental contamination and pollution.
To prevent cross-infection within the CTCs and to maintain standard infection prevention precautions, the layout was demarcated with fencing, and each area/room was labeled accordingly. Water supply, storage, distribution, and handwashing facilities were installed.
To guide healthcare workers providing services at CTCs, WHO has also printed, distributed, and posted standard case management and follow-up protocols for CTCs. Community participation and ownership were stressed as important for the proper utilization of CTCs during the handover ceremonies of CTCs to the respective regional health bureaus in Southern Ethiopia and Oromia regions by Dr. Patrick ABOK, WHO Ethiopia Emergency Preparedness and Response team lead.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Ethiopia.
Latest Stories
-
Everything is more difficult now – Guardiola
44 seconds -
Mahama will make the economy viable for the youth to become entrepreneurs- Osman Ayariga
6 mins -
East Legon crash: Police pursue TikTokers for ‘false claims’ about Salifu Amoako’s son’s location
33 mins -
Severe food shortage force some SHSs to serve repetitive meals
42 mins -
Don Julio 1942 launched by Guinness Ghana Breweries with an enchanting Halloween Ball celebration
44 mins -
3 Central Region MCEs intensify cholera control efforts after 5 deaths
50 mins -
Bawumia’s 12 ‘Bold Steps’ to expand educational opportunities for all
52 mins -
Mahama criticises NPP for accumulating energy debt to pass on to next NDC gov’t
52 mins -
Agromonti empowers Techiman farmers with sustainable agriculture training in CSR event
58 mins -
Ghanaians deserve certificates for enduring hardship under NPP – Mahama
58 mins -
AG’s office needs 1,500 public attorneys for proper discharge of functions – Godfred Dame
59 mins -
Court sentences man to life imprisonment for murdering girlfriend; daughter
1 hour -
Bawumia’s $80 bn value claim for Spotify, false – Dubawa
1 hour -
GBA President calls for transparent and fair December election
2 hours -
November 8 not a public holiday – Interior Ministry
2 hours