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.