The people of Gambella, which is a region in southwest Ethiopia bordering South Sudan, are working with Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the Gambella Regional Health Bureau (RHB), Abol’s Health Centre, Gambella Primary Hospital, and Gambella Blood Bank to enhance the local healthcare system.
In order to assist mothers giving birth in Abol town, MSF donated clothing, maternity supplies, hygiene products, and necessities for the newborn baby to the Abol Health Centre on December 12.Following the donation of these items, a coffee ceremony was held at the facility where MSF, the head of the Abol Health Centre, and representatives of the local government participated.
“We wanted to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the cooperation with the Abol Health Centre over the past years,” says Joris van Oss, the MSF Project Coordinator in Gambella, as the end of the year draws near.
“We donated these maternity items to support Abol Health Centre because newborns and their moms are especially vulnerable.”
Everyone present in the ceremony shared their appreciation for the cooperation and collective efforts put into improving the health of the communities living in the region. MSF also confirmed their commitment to continue the cooperation in the coming year.The support given to the Health Centreby MSF dates back to 2019,with water supply provided on a monthly basis and occasional donations ofmedical items.
On December 12, MSF also made a donation of life-saving surgical supplies to Gambella Town Primary Hospital. These supplies will be used for surgical activities which will benefit the population of the entire Gambella region.
In 2014, MSF started its activities in Gambella to complement and strengthen the healthcare systembyproviding primary and secondary healthcare in Kule Health Centre to South Sudanese refugees who live in Kule camp,as well as treatingpeople that come to the Health Centre fromoutside the camp.
One of the significant challenges facing the healthcare system in Gambella region is the shortages of blood supplies. MSF is currently in discussionswith Gambella Blood Bank forcollaborating on blood donation campaigns that would benefit all the region.