Sudan’s BTO pledges support to Ethiopia’s new hospital

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

July 26, 2011 (ADDIS ABABA) – A Sudanese humanitarian organization, Al Birr and Al-Tawasul Organization (BTO) has pledged to assist the construction of a new maternal and children’S hospital in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region.

The pledges were made by Fatuma Al-Amin, wife of Sudanese Vice-President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha and BTO president, at an occasion of laying the foundation-stone to launch the building of the new hospital.

The corner stone for the hospital in Wolkait town was laid by Ethiopia’s First Lady, Azeb Mesfin and Fatuma Al-Amin, on Sunday.

At the occasion, First Lady, Azeb Mesfin said construction of the new hospital will be an important input to the national ongoing efforts of curbing maternal and child mortality mainly in outreaching people in remote areas who run short of essential health care.

The multi-million US dollars construction cost of the hospital will be covered by regional government in cooperation with the Sudanese charity organization, Al Bir Wa Al-Tawasul.

“The generosity will strengthen the long standing people to people relation[s] between the two neighboring countries,” Azeb said.

“Besides saving the lives of mothers and children, the hospital will serve as a lasting tribute to the organization’s contribution for generations to come” Azeb added.

Fatuma al-Amin to her side affirmed her organisation’s commitment of continued support during the course of construction and after the hospital begins providing services to the public.

Ethiopia’s maternal and infant mortality rates have been among the worst globally, forcing the horn of Africa’s country to spend millions of dollars every year in an attempt to address the issue.

However, according to State Health Minister, Dr. Tewodros Adhanom, these rates of mortality have dropped significantly during the past few years due integrated efforts of regional health bureaus, governmental and non-governmental organisations.

The ministry this year launched a campaign to reduce pregnancy and birth-related deaths and prevent-mother-to-child transmission of HIV. According to the ministry the campaign is having a positive effect.

However, the country still has a long way to go to curb by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio and a child to be born free of HIV/AIDS.

(ST)