The United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has launched a significant new initiative aimed at controlling and preventing Tuberculosis (TB) and Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) in Ethiopia. The five-year, $8 million (450 million Birr) project, known as the USAID Urban TB Local Organizations Network II Activity, will focus on selected urban regions, including Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Shaggar City in the Oromia region, and Harari National Regional State.
The project was officially launched at the Mekedonia Shelter for the Elderly by Karen Koprince, Acting USAID/Ethiopia Health Office Director, His Excellency Dr. Dereje Duguma, State Minister of Health, and Artist Alemayehu Tadesse, who serves as the Goodwill Ambassador for the project. The elderly residents of the shelter are among the beneficiaries of this new initiative.
The primary objective of the project is to support the people and Government of Ethiopia in achieving the United Nations High-Level Declaration targets of ending TB by 2030. This will involve detecting at least 95 percent of TB and DR-TB cases, successfully treating 95 percent of those detected cases, preventing TB infection and its progression to TB disease, and building a resilient urban TB system. The project’s strategy focuses on three key areas: expanding TB and DR-TB case identification and treatment, prioritizing people-centered care, and exploring innovative methods to combat TB.
“2024 marks an important milestone in the relationship between the people of the United States and the people of Ethiopia. The two countries established formal diplomatic ties 120 years ago, and 60 years later, USAID was established in Ethiopia. We have been here since then, partnering together to make Ethiopia strong. We are committed to Ethiopia’s efforts to end TB,” said Karen Koprince, USAID/Ethiopia Acting Health Office Director.
The project will be implemented by the local organization REACH Ethiopia, with support from two other local organizations, Organic Health Services and Yeshama Birhan, as part of USAID’s localization strategy. This initiative aims to reach nearly six million people with comprehensive TB services, focusing on vulnerable populations such as the elderly, those with diabetes, HIV, and residents in facilities like prisons, shelters, underserved urban areas, and industrial parks.
The United States Government has a longstanding partnership with Ethiopia in supporting the country’s healthcare and wellbeing. Over the past five years, the United States has invested nearly $1 billion in various projects aimed at promoting the health and wellness of Ethiopians across all regions. This includes significant efforts in partnership with the Ministry of Health to eradicate malaria.
The USAID Urban TB Local Organizations Network II Activity represents a continuation of this commitment, reinforcing the collaborative efforts between the United States and Ethiopia to improve public health and eradicate TB.
Leave a Reply