Cablegate: Ethiopia: Health Ministry Requests Support To

VZCZCXRO4237
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHDS #2305 2301048
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 181048Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2154
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 002305

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID CASC WHO ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: HEALTH MINISTRY REQUESTS SUPPORT TO
STEM ACUTE WATERY DIARRHEA OUTBREAK

1. Summary. Ethiopia's Federal Ministry of Health issued a
letter (text below) to USAID, UNICEF, WHO and UNOCHA August
17 requesting preparedness and response support for an
outbreak of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD). In a conversation
August 18 with USAID's Chief Health Officer, State Minister
of Health Dr. Kebede Worku confirmed that there is a "major
problem" of AWD (Note: MOH reported that initial tests do
not indicate cholera as the pathogen. End Note.) and
requested a prompt response. End Summary.

2. The Ministry of Health (MOH) established a rapid response
team to deal with the outbreak and to date, with assistance
from UNICEF, USAID contractor Population Services
International (PSI), has moved supplies, including drugs,
treatment kits, water treatment tankers, and vehicles to the
affected areas. Through the USAID-funded Essential Services
for Health in Ethiopia Project, the MOH also initiated a
door-to-door campaign to provide prevention and treatment
information to the affected communities. Rapid response and
surveillance teams have been deployed. However, given
wide-spread flooding in several areas in Ethiopia, the MOH is
now requesting donor assistance.

3. The MOH has prepared a proposal outlining its support
needs. This proposal has been forwarded to AF/E Ethiopia
Desk Officer Mike Gonzales, and USAID has also forwarded the
proposal in its channels.

4. Begin text:

Date: 16 August 2006
Ref. No.: MTI/14/45/232

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Ministry of Health

Subject: Request for Support on Preparedness and Response to
Outbreak of Acute Watery Diarrhea

Federal Ministry of Health appreciates the support being
rendered by your esteemed organization in various health
related programs in Ethiopia.

Currently, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) in
collaboration with partners is providing support to Oromiya
and SNNP Regional State to effectively respond to outbreak of
Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) which is being reported from 10
woredas in Oromiya and 4 in SNNPR. To date at total of 7999
cases with 42 deaths are reported to IDSR team of FMOH.

In light of this and due to the nature of the situation to
expand, we are planning to build the country's capacity to
effectively respond to the current outbreak and to a possible
protracted epidemic.

This is therefore, to request your organization to support
the FMOH in its effort of strengthening preparedness and
response activities as per the proposal attached herewith.

Thank you for your prompt response.

Working together for health.

Signed
Dr. Kebede Worku
State Minister of Health
WILGUS

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