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Dilla Health Centre in Ethiopia

The Patrick Investment Club has an annual charity for which we give some of our profits and do some fund-raising.

This year we are supporting the development of a remote health centre at Dilla near Aira in rural Ethiopia. Janet visited the site in January 2006 with Rachel Stephens (who used to run the Methodist Relief & Development Fund) and was impressed by the great need there and by the committment of the workers who run it.

We aim to raise $1000 by July 2006. You can donate by clicking the DONATE button on the left.

Dilla Health Centre,

Please support the Dilla Health Station in Ethiopia

Dilla Health Station is run by the Birbir Dilla synod of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus Development and Social Services Commission (EECMY-DASSC).

It was established in 1978 to provide health services to the new settlers in the area. Dilla is in the Oromia region 554 km west of Addis Ababa. The station provides preventive, curative and rehabilation health services. It is in a very remote area with a high population density in low land.

People suffer from malaria, intestinal parasites, TB, pneumonia, skin disease, rheumatism and anaemia. Malnutrition and infectious diseases are common.

The potential coverage of Oromia region is about 42%. Maternal child health services are low with only 26% of mothers receiving antenatal and postnatal care; only 7% of all deliveries are assisted by trained personnel. Over 60% of mothers and 64% of young children suffer from malnutrition.

These factors have resulted in one of the highest infant mortality and morbidity rates in the world. The population growth rate is 2.9% and the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) is only 11% for the whole country. On top of this there are hardly any means of transport available in the area

Major problems are HIV/AIDS, low sanitation coverage, absence of safe and adequate water supply, shortage of trained staff, harmful traditional practices, malnutrition, and low community awareness of prevention and control of communicablele diseases.

The Synod has written a project proposal to build 6 new rooms, provide water and light supply, provide one vehicle and improve the existing health service quality of the health service by 80%.

Note from Janet.

With a party of British Christians visiting the EECMY church in Ethiopia, I visited Dilla in January 2006. I have lived in Africa for 13 years and I am used to poverty. But it was a combination of the poverty, the terrible conditions and the commitment of the nurse in charge to improve the health centre that are imprinted on my mind.

The nurse had worked there for 14 years. We saw a young woman dying of cerebral malaria, while a man with TB was in the same room near to her. The nurse in charge said that the priority is for a separate room for men and women.

My family has committed itself to raising $1,000 to fund one new room. Any help will be welcome and will be sent through the local Church.

Dilla ambulance

Dilla ambulance, originally uploaded by Old Man of Mow.

Sick patients arrive at Dilla Clinic on hand-made stretchers, or are brought in by donkey. The nearest hospital is in Aira, 60 km away, but at a cost of $30, taxi transport is beyond the reach of these very poor patients.

Dilla pharmacy

Dilla pharmacy, originally uploaded by Old Man of Mow.

The drugs are supplied through the church, but patients have to pay a charge for them. Any small profit is used to pay the staff wages and to support patients who have no funds.

Staff at Dilla Health Centre

Dilla Health Centre, originally uploaded by Old Man of Mow.

The nurse-in-charge discussing the Under-Fives Health Record system with the administrator during Janet's visit in January.