DOCSLIB.ORG

ERITREA HEALTH UPDATE SRS 80481 15 26.7 100.0 3,447,060 242 82.4 95.2 C/O WHO, Adi Yakob Street N

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
ERITREA HEALTH UPDATE SRS 80481 15 26.7 100.0 3,447,060 242 82.4 95.2 C/O WHO, Adi Yakob Street N trea HealthEritrea Update Health Update Issue 2 No.10 11th to 24th June, 2007 PROFILES Outbreak Monitoring: Week 22 (28th May to 3rd June, 2007) Eritrea Population: ) 3,447,060 - (1997 Report Cerebro-Spinal Projection) Completeness and Meningitis (CSM) Timeliness Zoba Northern Red Sea Number of Zobas reported 3 new cases of (Regions): 6 he national average meningococcal meningitis health facility to caused by N. meningitidis Humanitarian TZoba weekly report type A in the last 2 weeks Target population: completeness has slightly bringing the total cases for the year to 10 with 1 2.3 Million fallen from 96.3% in the last report to 95.2%. The death. average weekly report Although both epidemic Main Sources of timeliness also fallen from and alert thresholds have humanitarian 85.2% to 82.4%. The slight not been crossed, the funding: decline was noticed in continuous reporting of • UN CERF Anseba and Debub Zobas. sporadic cases is alarming in view of the low • ECHO This could be attributed to the on going community population immunity and sensitization and training the fact that the height of HIGHLIGHTS activities that are taking the hot season has not Outbreak monitoring place in these Zobas and been reached in the area. Addressing Maternal may be occupying the Strong surveillance will mortality in the coastal health workers. therefore be mounted. and IDP re-settled areas Results of CBTF Table 1: Average Health facility to Zoba weekly report completeness and timeliness as at week 20 activities in Gash Barka (14th – 20th May, 2007) with ECHO funding Zoba Total Population No. of HFs Timeliness Completeness support Events: Anseba 554552 34 97.3 100.0 Debub 916467 60 97.1 99.6 Gash Barka 684972 65 69.0 87.9 Maekel 653639 31 100.0 100.0 NRS 556952 37 79.1 89.8 ERITREA HEALTH UPDATE SRS 80481 15 26.7 100.0 3,447,060 242 82.4 95.2 c/o WHO, Adi Yakob street N. 173, Total House N. 88/89, Geza Banda, P.O.BOX 5561 Asmara, Eritrea. Tel. 291 1 200634, Fax 291125155 1 trea Health Update Eritrea Health Update Malaria could be the same as for malaria above. As observed in figure 1, the weekly The weekly number of cases has not number of cases of malaria in Zoba Anseba crossed the 3rd quartile threshold level at has reached the 3rd quartile threshold level. National level. The cause could be improvement in reporting as a result of community No outbreaks of other diarrhoeal diseases sensitization. The possibility of foci of were reported. outbreak is also being investigated. The Zoba has been informed to investigate Other Outbreaks: accordingly. No outbreaks of other diseases have been This increase in numbers of cases in reported in the reporting week. Anseba has not affected the trends at national level (Figure 2). Measles Situation: The total suspected measles cases for the Diarrhoea and Bloody year has reached 24. These have been Diarrhoea: reported from 4 Zobas with Debub and The weekly number of cases of bloody Northern Red Sea remaining silent. diarrhoea (shigellosis) in Zoba Anseba as All the suspected measles cases tested seen in figure 3 is also approaching the 3rd negative for measles IgM. Three cases quartile threshold level. The explanation tested positive for Rubella. Figure 1 Anseba Zoba: Malaria weekly trend in 2007 3rd Quartile Yr 2007 140 120 es 100 cas 80 of r 60 40 Numbe 20 0 1 4 7 0 3 6 9 2 5 8 1 4 7 0 3 6 9 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 Week number 2 trea Health Update Eritrea Health Update Figure 2 Eritrea: Malaria weekly trend in 2007 3rd Quartile Yr 2007 3000 2500 2000 cases of 1500 1000 Number 500 0 1 5 9 3 7 5 9 1 1 21 25 29 33 37 41 4 4 week number Figure 3 Anseba Zoba: Bloody Diarroea weekly trend in 2007 3rd Quartile Yr 2007 140 120 100 ases C 80 of 60 mber u 40 N 20 0 1 4 7 0 3 6 9 2 1 1 1 19 22 25 28 31 34 37 40 43 46 4 5 Week Number 3 trea Health Update Eritrea Health Update Addressing Maternal Mortality in the Coastal and IDP re-settled areas of Eritrea: Maternal mortality in Eritrea is among the identified as avoidable factors of maternal highest in the world. According to Eritrean mortality in Eritrea. Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) of 1995, maternal mortality Rate (MMR) in The Zobas with the highest maternal Eritrea was 998/100,000 Live Births. The mortality ratio in Eritrea are Southern Red subsequent study conducted in 2003 Sea Zoba followed by Anseba and Gash showed MMR in Eritrea to be 752/100,000 Barka Zobas. Community transportation, Live Births and WHO/UNFPA/UNICEF communication and referral are poor in all estimation of MMR in Eritrea is the Zobas. The linkage between the 630/100,000 LB. Majority of maternal communities and the health care delivery deaths in Eritrea occur at home, before system in relation to maternal and seeking medical care. Close to half of the newborn care is poor, except for specific maternal deaths occur during childbirth, programs like malaria, where the malaria and therefore care during childbirth is most agents report maternal and newborn critical in Eritrea. Poor quality of medical problems related to malaria to the nearest care, poor access to health service, poor health facilities. transportation and poor knowledge were Maternal Mortality Ratio by Zoba Maternal Deaths per 100,000 Live Births 46 1,083 747 1,040 696 1,261 The Road Map to Improve Maternal and Newborn Health in Eritrea, October 28-30, 2004 4 trea Health Update Eritrea Health Update The major causes of maternal mortality are barriers to access service including haemorrhage, infection, and eclampsia, physical, cultural and financial barriers, obstructed labour and unsafe abortions etc.) and which account for more than 70% of the 3. Delay in receiving care (due to lack of total maternal deaths in the world. But why skilled personnel, supplies, equipments, do women die? Basically there are three blood transfusion services, etc.). delays that predispose pregnant women to die. These are: One of the areas the humanitarian 1. Delay in decision-making to seek care interventions is addressing with funding (due to lack of understanding of from ECHO and UN CERF was the high complications, lack of trust in the health maternal death especially among the care delivery system, acceptance of coastal mobile nomadic communities and maternal death as norm, low status of the IDP resettled areas of Gash Barka. women, socio-cultural barriers to This problem was being addressed from 2 seeking care etc.) angles: Community and Health facilities 2. Delay in reaching care (due to lack of where the mothers are being referred to. transportation & communication, The Community Approach: The community approach included providing outreach antenatal and post • Assessment of training needs natal care integrated with immunization for which has been completed children and other services. • Upgrading of training manuals The second community approach was the and training training and equipping of Traditional Birth • Procurement of equipment which Attendants (TBAs), which includes: was done centrally. TBA Assessment and re-positioning: Evidence shows that traditional birth pregnancy and refer mothers to the health attendants have a key role in improving care system they can contribute to the maternal health as advocators and links reduction of maternal and neonatal between the community and the health morbidities and mortalities. system. The major causes of maternal mortality are An assessment of the TBAs was carried out hemorrhage, infection, eclampsia, with the following objectives: obstructed labour and unsafe abortions. To elucidate the role of TBAs in With the level of training and the providing maternal and neonatal equipment that the traditional birth health services attendants have it is less likely to expect Based on the results of the them to avoid deaths due to the above assessment, to redefine the role of causes. TBAs in provision of maternal and But if they are trained to prepare mothers neonatal health care services for delivery, advice on family planning and nutrition, detect complications of 5 trea Health Update Eritrea Health Update A questionnaire was developed in English, the highest maternal mortality ratio in the pre-tested and used to collect data. A total country. of 12 data collectors were trained in how The data collected will reveal practices, to administer the questionnaire and training gaps and current roles of the TBAs dispatched to four Zobas. The assessment and will provide the basis for re-positioning was conducted in the period May 02-12, them and re-training/re-equipping them. 2007 and a total of 310 TBAs from the four The data entry, cleaning and report writing Zobas, namely Gash Barka, Anseba, process is in progress and will be available Northern and Southern Red Sea Zobas in a book form to be circulated to the were enrolled. These Zobas are Zobas with Ministry of Health officials, all partners and Zobas for future action. Data collection process in Northern Red Sea Zoba showing a Women’s Association member and a young mother assisting the team and an old TBA being interview Health Facility Approach: delivery time. In some areas, the maternity Poor terrain, distance, nomadic life style waiting homes are not available due to and harsh weather conditions prevent the lack of shelter and where they exist, they pregnant women from reaching health were not being utilized because of lack of facility on time to receive skilled care.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Legislative Regulation of Traditional Medicinal Knowledge in Eritrea
    Law Environment and Development JournalLEAD LEGISLATIVE REGULATION OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL KNOWLEDGE IN ERITREA VIS-À-VIS ERITREA’S COMMITMENTS UNDER THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY: ISSUES AND ALTERNATIVES Senai W. Andemariam ARTICLE VOLUME 6/2 LEAD Journal (Law, Environment and Development Journal) is a peer-reviewed academic publication based in New Delhi and London and jointly managed by the School of Law, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) - University of London and the International Environmental Law Research Centre (IELRC). LEAD is published at www.lead-journal.org ISSN 1746-5893 The Managing Editor, LEAD Journal, c/o International Environmental Law Research Centre (IELRC), International Environment House II, 1F, 7 Chemin de Balexert, 1219 Châtelaine-Geneva, Switzerland, Tel/fax: + 41 (0)22 79 72 623, [email protected] ARTICLE LEGISLATIVE REGULATION OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL KNOWLEDGE IN ERITREA VIS-À-VIS ERITREA’S COMMITMENTS UNDER THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY: ISSUES AND ALTERNATIVES Senai W. Andemariam This document can be cited as Senai W. Andemariam, ‘Legislative Regulation of Traditional Medicinal Knowledge in Eritrea vis-à-vis Eritrea’s Commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity: Issues and Alternatives’ 6/2 Law, Environment and Development Journal (2010), p. 130, available at http://www.lead-journal.org/content/10130.pdf Senai W. Andemariam, Lecturer of Law, Department of Law, College of Arts and Social Sciences, P. O. Box 601 Asmara, Eritrea, Tel. +291-7-166605, email: [email protected] Published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 License TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Global Developments on Protection and Development of Traditional Medicinal Knowledge 133 1.1 Introduction 133 1.2 Interests Involved in Harnessing Traditional knowledge/Traditional Medicine 133 1.2.1 Sociological or Belief Interest 134 1.2.2 Economic Interest 134 1.2.3 Environmental Interest 134 1.2.4 Intellectual Property Interest 134 1.3 International Efforts to Protect and Harness Traditional Medicine 135 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Unfpa Annual Report
    2007 unfpa annual report The Mission of UNFPA UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal United Nations Population Fund opportunity. Information and External Relations Division UNFPA supports countries in using population 220 East 42nd Street, 23rd floor New York, NY 10017 U.S.A. data for policies and programmes to reduce Tel: +1 (212) 297-5020 poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young www.unfpa.org person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect. UNFPA—because everyone counts. Contents ii Foreword Photos: by Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations Cover: © Live Images/UNFPA A mother and child at an AIDS Day celebration in San José, Costa Rica. iii Overview Foreword: © Mark Garten/United Nations by Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations Executive Director of UNFPA Overview: © Eskinder Debebe/United Nations Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA 01 I Reproductive Health and Safe Motherhood Reproductive Health and Safe Motherhood: © Carina Wint for 07 II Culture, Gender and Human Rights UNFPA A UNFPA-supported maternity clinic on the outskirts of Portoviejo, 11 III Helping in Emergencies Ecuador. Culture, Gender and Human Rights: © Don Hinrichsen/UNFPA 15 IV Poverty, Population and Development Women in front of a UNFPA-supported women’s centre and shelter run by the Mauritanian Association for Mother and Child Health in 19 V Building Support Nouakchott, Mauritania.
    [Show full text]
  • Eritrea's Story: Progress in Health in Eritrea
    ERITREA'S STORY: Progress in health in Eritrea: Cost-effective inter- sectoral interventions and a long-term perspective Romina Rodríguez Pose and Fiona Samuels Development Progress Development Progress Development Progress Development Progress Development Progress Progress in health in Eritrea: Cost-effective inter-sectoral interventions and a long-term perspective Key messages 1. Despite profound poverty, Eritrea is expected to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in health in general and in child health in particular. Areas of achievement include: infant and child mortality rates; immunisation coverage; malaria mortality and morbidity; and HIV prevalence. 2. Eritreans’ commitment, both at home and abroad, to the development of health and education is led by the government, which at the same time retains tight control of programmes and policies. 3. Out of necessity, Eritreans’ experience in adapting to adverse circumstances has given them the capacity to develop innovative multi-sectoral approaches to health. In addition, community involvement has enabled improved health-seeking behaviours as well as widespread buy-in. Development Progress stories “Eritrea is one of the few countries expected to achieve the MDGs in health, in child health in particular.” Summary What has been achieved? Two-thirds of Eritrea’s population lives below the national Eritrea is a country facing significant development poverty line, and the vast majority in rural areas. The rugged challenges. Its political system remains largely closed topography and harsh climate, coupled with the 30-year and basic human freedoms are by no means secure.1 war of independence, have led to widespread economic Eritrea has, nevertheless, achieved remarkable progress in hardship and food insecurity.
    [Show full text]
  • International Journal of African Development, Vol. 5, Issue 2
    International Journal of African Development Volume 5 Issue 2 Spring 2019 Article 1 June 2019 International Journal of African Development, Vol. 5, Issue 2 Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/ijad Part of the African Studies Commons, Growth and Development Commons, and the International Economics Commons Recommended Citation (2019) "International Journal of African Development, Vol. 5, Issue 2," International Journal of African Development: Vol. 5 : Iss. 2 , Article 1. Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/ijad/vol5/iss2/1 This Complete Issue is brought to you for free and open access by the Center for African Development Policy Research at ScholarWorks at WMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in International Journal of African Development by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks at WMU. For more information, please contact wmu- [email protected]. International Journal of African Development Volume 5, Issue 2, Spring 2019 IJAD International Journal of African Development Vol. 5 Issue 2, Spring 2019 Western Michigan University College of Arts & Sciences Department of Economics and Center for African Development Policy Research (CADPR) Editorial Management Team 2019 Chief Editor, Sisay Asefa, PhD, Distinguished Service Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for African Development Policy Research, Western Michigan University Managing Editor, Amos Aduroja, PhD, MPH, FASHA, Associate Professor, School of Interdisciplinary Health Programs, Western Michigan University Copy Editor, Gari
    [Show full text]
  • An Exploration of Skin Lightening in Eritrea
    “Tsada Getzu, Tsada Libu (White Face, White Heart)”: An Exploration of Skin Lightening in Eritrea by Fikrejesus Amahazion, Ph.D. [email protected] Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Social Work, Department of Political Science and International Relations, National College of Arts and Social Sciences Adi Keih, Eritrea Abstract This paper represents an analysis of skin lightening through interviews, focus group discussions, and survey questionnaires with informants in Eritrea. Findings suggest that skin lightening is increasingly popular with many individuals, particularly females, and that those engaging in skin lightening primarily use creams, lotions, soaps, and homemade mixes consisting of natural ingredients. As with many other countries, skin lightening in Eritrea is associated with a number of different factors. It is recommended that national policymakers consider enacting legislation or developing guidelines to regulate skin lightening products and its ingredients, while public awareness of the significant health risks associated with the use of lightening products is also advocated. Introduction A centuries old practice, skin lightening is the use of injections, topical ointments, creams, lotions, gels, soaps, oral formulations, and household chemicals to de-pigment or lighten skin complexion, produce an even skin tone, and remove blemishes, freckles, or scars (de Souza 2008: 28; Jablonski 2012; Street, Gaska, Lewis, and Wilson 2014: 53).1 Today, skin lightening is a multi-billion dollar, globalized industry, and over the past several decades it has emerged as an increasingly popular practice in many parts of the world (Charles 2003; Coopernov 2016; Glenn 2008). 236 Africology: The Journal of Pan African Studies, vol.11, no.1, December 2017 Skin lightening is often driven by an array of factors, including the structural and societal elevation of light skin, as well as dermatological issues.
    [Show full text]
  • Common Country Assessment (CCA)
    Click here for CCA Indicators Summary Common Country Assessment (CCA) ERITREA Poverty Reduction Governance Economic Growth Food Emergency & Security Recovery HIV/AIDS Nutrition Gender Capacity Equity Communication Special needs Environment Data & Energy Educatio Shelter, Water & Health Sanitation Volume 1 March 2001 United Nations Table of contents Page Foreword 1. Introduction 1 2. Country Overview 2 Historical context 2 Basic facts 3 The state of human development 4 The national policy framework and UN System cooperation 6 3. Key Development Issues for Poverty Reduction 8 3.1 Governance 10 Focus box 1: HIV/AIDS & STDs 13 3.2 Economic growth and development 14 Focus box 2: Nutrition 17 3.3 Food security 18 Focus box 3: Gender in development 21 3.4 Education 22 Focus box 4: Capacity development 25 3.5 Health 26 Focus box 5: Issues of equity 29 3.6 Water, shelter and sanitation 30 Focus box 6: Communication for development 33 3.7 Environment and Energy 34 Focus box 7: Population groups with special needs 37 3.8 Emergency, recovery, reintegration and rehabilitation 38 Focus box 8: Data for development 41 4. Conclusions and the way forward 42 Annexes 46 1. From assessment to collaborative programming: potential areas for UN System support 47 2. Eritrea CCA Terms of reference 57 3. United Nations Country Team & Members of the Steering Committee 63 4. List of Theme Group Members 64 5. List of resource persons consulted and/or attended Theme Group Meetings 67 6. List of focus people responsible for sections in the CCA document 70 7. Process and Methodology 71 8.
    [Show full text]
  • Mid-Term Review of the Health Sector Strategic Development Plan 2012-2016
    ERITREA HEALTH SECTOR STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN (HSSDP 2012 – 2016) Mid-Term Review 3rd November – 19th November 2014 Final Report Harare, 18.12.2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................... IV ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ..................................................................................................... V ESSENTIAL INDICATORS: RESULTS AND TARGETS HSSDP 2012 - 2016 ............................................... VIII MAP OF ERITREA ............................................................................................................................. XII EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................... XIII Achievements ..................................................................................................................................................... xiii Challenges .......................................................................................................................................................... xiv Recommendations ............................................................................................................................................... xv 1. INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................1 1.1. Background to the 2014 Mid Term Review (MTR) of HSSDP ...........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Innovations in Service Delivery International Experience in Low-Density Countries
    6/11/13 Report Innovations in service delivery International experience in low-density countries Victoria Chambers, Leni Wild and Marta Foresti Delivering services in areas of low population density, particularly where there has been conflict or insecurity, and with diverse and nomadic populations, can pose significant challenges. One obstacle to overcome is the prevalence of hard-to-reach populations living in physically remote areas; more fundamentally, the state may be seen as absent or remote, reinforcing a lack of trust and undermining state–community relations. To explore these issues, and to inform programming in Mali and the Sahel region, this report reviews international experience across a range of sectors, to identify innovations in the delivery of services. It finds that innovative approaches often involve some key features, namely: greater mobility of providers and service points, greater connectivity between providers and users, take the form of practical hybrids, and allow space for conflict resolution and mediation. These services can be delivered through a diverse set of governance arrangements, and not necessarily through the government or through decentralised structures. Shaping policy for development odi.org Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank Asbjorn Wee, Julia Lendorfer, Charlotte Yaiche and Alexandre Marc at the World Bank for their support and useful inputs for this report. We would also like to thank Andy Norton, Francesca Bastagli, Bryn Welham, Rebecca Simpson, Sara Pantuliano, Richard Mallet and other colleagues at ODI for their suggestions and comments to inform earlier versions of this report, and to Deborah Eade for her copy-editing of the text. All errors and omissions, however, are the responsibility of the authors.
    [Show full text]
  • Country of Origin Information Report Eritrea June 2010
    COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT ERITREA 8 JUNE 2010 UK Border Agency COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION SERVICE ERITREA 8 JUNE 2010 Contents Preface Paragraphs Background Information 1. GEOGRAPHY ......................................................................................... 1.01 Maps .............................................................................................. 1.06 2. ECONOMY ............................................................................................. 2.01 3. HISTORY ............................................................................................... 3.01 Independence and Transitional Government 1991-1993 .......... 3.02 The People’s Front for Democracy and Justice and constitutional developments 1994-2001 .................................... 3.04 Border conflict with Ethiopia 1998-2000 .................................... 3.07 Border tensions with neighbouring countries, 2005-2009 ....... 3.09 Domestic political developments from September 2001 to August 2009 .................................................................................. 3.15 4. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS (DECEMBER 2009 - JUNE 2010) ...................... 4.01 Useful sources for further information...................................... 4.05 5. CONSTITUTION ...................................................................................... 5.01 6. POLITICAL SYSTEM ................................................................................ 6.01 Human Rights 7. INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Women and Post-Conflict Reconstruction: Issues and Sources
    A Service of Leibniz-Informationszentrum econstor Wirtschaft Leibniz Information Centre Make Your Publications Visible. zbw for Economics Sørensen, Birgitte Working Paper Women and post-conflict reconstruction: Issues and sources WSP Occasional Paper, No. 3 Provided in Cooperation with: United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), Geneva Suggested Citation: Sørensen, Birgitte (1998) : Women and post-conflict reconstruction: Issues and sources, WSP Occasional Paper, No. 3, United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), Geneva This Version is available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/148841 Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen: Terms of use: Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Documents in EconStor may be saved and copied for your Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden. personal and scholarly purposes. Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle You are not to copy documents for public or commercial Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich purposes, to exhibit the documents publicly, to make them machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen. publicly available on the internet, or to distribute or otherwise use the documents in public. Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, If the documents have been made available under an Open gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort Content Licence (especially
    [Show full text]
  • Mental Health in Eritrea
    Electronic supplementary material: The online version of this article contains supplementary material. © 2021 THE AUTHOR(S) Cite as: Amahazion F. Mental health in Eritrea: A brief overview JOGH © 2021 ISGH and possible steps forward. J Glob Health 2021;11:03018. Mental health in Eritrea: A brief overview and possible steps forward VIEWPOINTS Fikrejesus Amahazion College of Arts and Social Sciences, Adi Keih, Eritrea ental health is an integral component of health. Recently, the global burden of mental disorders has grown, with significant impacts on health and major social, human rights, and economic consequenc- Mes [1,2]. Despite its significance, however, mental health has historically been neglected on Africa’s health and development policy agenda, while there has been little research into mental health problems [3]. Across Africa, health systems have not adequately responded to the burden of mental disorders, and a large treatment gap prevails [4-6]. There is also widespread ignorance about the extent of mental health problems and a prevalence of stigma and discrimination toward those with mental illness [7,8]. In Eritrea, a developing country located in Northeast Africa, mental health is a rising problem (Table 1). Since winning independence in 1991, Eritrea There is a rising frequency of mental has made considerable progress within the health sector, including in life ex- health problems in Eritrea, and men- pectancy, maternal, infant, and child mortality, immunization, and control tal illnesses are among the leading of major diseases [9-12]. However, the country also faces significant chal- causes of disability, comorbidity, and lenges, including regional conflict, poverty, socio-political challenges, erratic rainfall and potential for drought, food security, and shortage of skilled la- mortality.
    [Show full text]
  • National Health Policy
    national health policy the state of eritrea ministry of health HEALTH FOR ALL M IN I S TR Y O F H E A LT H , E R IT R E A March 2010 NATIONAL HEALTH POLICY Page NATIONAL HEALTH POLICY Page FORWARD Although the Eritrean health system has enormously grown since independence in 1991, it has become necessary to review our policies and strategies to allow consolidation and future sustainability. After independence, the government was faced with the challenge of poor health status of the population, attributable to war-related devastation of essential infrastructures and services. The severity of the problem was evident from high morbidity and mortality rates due to preventable causes, especially among children and women. The government’s priority in the past phase of development since independence therefore, was development of skilled human resource for health, reconstruction of the health infrastructure, instituting health systems and intensive PHC based programme interventions for communicable diseases. The long protracted war provided health workers a deep understanding of what the country needed in terms of health care services which formed the basis for a rapid response and systematic establishment of a health system. By means of this policy the health sector will contribute to the aspiration of the Health Sector Strategic Development Plan 2010-2014 “for developing a dynamic economy and better quality of life of all citizens” and subsequent other development plans. In order to attain the overall national development goals of the government, the health sector will strengthen community based health services, gradually restructure facility-based health services in order to make them more responsive to the people closest to their homes especially in the rural areas, strengthen decentralised health governance structures, improve efficiency and the quality of care provided by hospitals and strengthen health sector coordination at all levels to enable better participation of all players, whether public or private.
    [Show full text]