July 18, 2005

Ethiopia News

Back to News Menu
Get the Archives Here

Islamic Leaders Express Readiness to Jointly Fight HIV/AIDS

Bureau Calls for Enhanced VCT Services to Arrest Spread of HIV/AIDS

OSSA Branch Office Constructing Building

Islamic Leaders Express Readiness to Jointly Fight HIV/AIDS

HARAR (WIC), July 18, 2005—Islamic leaders of three adjacent states in eastern Ethiopia have reportedly expressed readiness to work in cooperation and share experiences in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The religious heads drawn from the Harari and Somali states as well as the Diredawa Interim Administration told journalists that they are prepared to cooperate in reducing the spread of the pandemic at the conclusion of a two-day discussion forum held in Harari town.

Full Story: http://www.waltainfo.com/EnNews/2005/Jul/18Jul05/July18e6.htm

Bureau Calls for Enhanced VCT Services to Arrest Spread of HIV/AIDS

ADDIS ABABA (WIC), July 16, 2005—The Addis Ababa City Administration Health Bureau has called for enhanced Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) services so as to arrest the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country. Speaking at the conclusion of a training organized for health professionals on the prevention of mother-to-child HIV/AIDS transmission, Bureau Head Dr. Eyob Kamil said the expansion of health institutions that are offering VCT and prevention of mother-to-child services is vital to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country. He said the efforts being exerted by faith-based organizations in educating the faithful on HIV/AIDS and contributing towards the prevention of mother-to-child transmission which accounts for 10 per cent of the transmission of the virus is encouraging. Dr. Eyob stated that the government would further intensify its coordinated efforts with the institutions in order to prevent mother-to-child HIV/ AIDS transmission in Addis Ababa administration as well as SNNP and Oromia states. Speaking on his part, Secretary General of the Ethiopian Kalehiwot Church, Dr. Tesfaye Yacob said the over 60,000 new born babies could be protected from the virus if due attention was given to VCT and the provision of full antenatal treatment to pregnant women. Training coordinator, Dr. Henok Gebre-Hiwot said over 40 trainees drawn from Addis Ababa, SNNP and Oromia states have received training on prevention of HIV/AIDS and VCT related activities. He said the training was vital in terms of raising the number of health institutions providing treatment in order to prevent the mother-to-child HIV/AIDS transmission. The training was jointly organized by the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane-Yesus, the Ethiopian Kalehiwot Church and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, it was learnt.

Source: The Ethiopian Herald, July 16, 2005, Page 7

OSSA Branch Office Constructing Building

NEKEMPTE (ENA), July 15, 2005—The Nekempte Branch office of Organization for Social Services on AIDS (OSSA) says it is constructing a building at a cost over 1.6 million birr to let to prospective occupants and then to provide care and support to people affected by HIV/AIDS with the proceeds. Office Coordinator, Temesgen Gurmesa said the building is being constructed to help more than 200 HIV orphans and other HIV/AIDS affected people in a sustainable manner. He said a North Sea Club, a foreign organization, finances the two storey rental housing building under construction. The construction of the building is due to be finalized in January 2006. The construction of a training center for youth who lost their parents to AIDS has already been finalized, he said. Temesgen said the branch office is offering various orientations to fight the pandemic in towns and rural areas through community self-help associations and other clubs. He said 14 orphans who were beneficiaries of the support from the branch office have taken up jobs after graduating with diplomas and degrees. The office in collaboration with the zonal labour and social affairs office is helping orphans receive various vocational training, he said.

Source: The Ethiopian Herald, July 15, 2005, Page 5