In 2009 Médecins Sans Frontières refocused its activities in Ethiopia. In July, our team handed over to the local health authorities its kala azar treatment program in Humera on the border with Eritrea and Sudan. The move followed a series of important steps taken by the government and other organisations, including treatment of the disease in all health structures and the introduction of a national training curriculum for health staff. In the 11 years that Médecins Sans Frontières worked in the Humera district; approximately 8,000 people suffering from kala azar were treated. In the northwest Amhara region, our team continued to provide care for people infected with kala azar. Throughout the year, more than 800 people were screened for the disease and nearly 250 patients treated for it.

Médecins Sans Frontières also treated people with HIV, TB and malnutrition. In 2009, more than 4,000 people received counselling and testing for HIV and 250 patients started antiretroviral therapy. More than 500 people received therapeutic food including 250 malnourished children under five years old.

In Ethiopia’s conflict affected Somali region, where many people have no access to health care, teams continued to provide free medical assistance. Staff focused on strengthening and promoting the maternal health services here. These efforts were successful: more than 1,600 women received antenatal consultations and 200 women received assistance for births during the year. Mobile clinics are also in place in the area to help reach rural communities.

Médecins Sans Frontières has worked in Ethiopia since 1984.