ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 8, 2016/APO (African Press Organization)/ —
On 7 April 2016, Ethiopia commemorated the 2016 World Health Day under the theme, “Beat diabetes – Integration and decentralization of diabetic care with primary health services” in a series of activities since 05 April 2016 which culminated with mass walk and promotional gathering at Teklehaimanot HC in Addis Ababa.
Pre-event activities such as free blood glucose tests and counseling services at three health centers; namely, Woreda 17, Meshualekiya and Teklehaimanot HCs have been provided with support of Sheger Radio public services announcements promoting the importance of screening and early detection of diabetes.
The Mass walk guided by the Federal Police Music Band was attended by officials from the Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa City Administration Health Bureau, the World Health Organization, Ethiopia Diabetic Association, Health professionals and Chief Executive Officers of Health Facilities in Addis Ababa made the event colorful. At Teklehaimanot Health Center, a series of speeches delivered to the gathering and the general public marked the commemoration of the day.
In his welcoming speech, Ato Tadesse Atlabachew, Deputy Head of Addis Ababa City Administration Health Bureau, highlighted that his bureau is doing every effort to make diabetic care available and accessible in all health facilities in Addis Ababa. Dr Ahmed Reja, President of Ethiopia Diabetic Association on his part said that diabetes is a disease condition that needs such level of attention to raise public awareness and advocate for support to scale up services and make services accessible.
Dr Mutale Mumba, representing WHO OIC Dr Paul Mainuka, delivered the WHO African Regional Director message, urging the government and stakeholders to implement the globally agreed actions to prevent and control diabetes.
Representing the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Taye Tollera expressed his Ministry’s commitment and efforts that are under way to decentralize diabetic care services in 36 health centers in the year 2016 and the motive to further reduce the strains in referral hospitals overwhelmed with the diabetic patients in need of services.
Following the series of speeches, the event marking the 2016 Word Health Day concluded with participants attending screening tests for blood glucose tests and counseling services.
The event activities were warmly broadcasted by national radios such as Sheger, Bisrat, Ethiopia News Agency, Ethiopia Radio and Television Agency. Banners, brochures and posters used to convey and disseminate pertinent information on prevention of non-communicable disease risk factors in general, promotion of healthy life style and early detection.
Addis Ababa City Administration Health Bureau in collaboration with WHO Ethiopia, the Federal Ministry of Health and Ethiopia Diabetic Association organized the 2016 World Health Day activities.
