ETHIOPIA HEALTH SECTOR TRANSFORMATION PLAN HSTP II (2020/21 – 2024/25 (GC) (2013 – 2017 EFY)

Abstract

Ethiopia has been through a number of challenges including COVID-19, conflict, internal displacement, and other public health emergencies like cholera during the implementation of Ethiopia’s second Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP II). Ethiopia had one of the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Africa, with a total of 491,979 reported COVID-19 cases and 7,568 cumulative COVID-19-related deaths. The COVID 19 test positivity rate and case fatality rate were 10% and 1.5%, respectively. Ethiopia was able to reach almost all households nationwide to test, isolate, and treat COVID-19. In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been several other public health emergencies during HSTP II implementation, such as a measles outbreak in 29 woredas, surges in malaria cases and outbreaks, as well as a cholera outbreak in Oromia and Somali regions. Furthermore, a total of 48 hospitals, 543 health centers, 2,652 health posts, 5 blood banks, 2 EPSA hubs, 68 woreda and zonal health offices and 248 ambulances were either looted, damaged or destroyed due to the conflict. The conflict also affected private health facilities and pharmacy/drug stores in conflict-affected areas. More than 5 million people have been internally displaced from their homes due to the conflict. Despite these disruptive shocks, the country was able to largely maintain health service provision, a sign that the health system is becoming more resilient.