ETHIOPIA’S HEALTH CHALLENGES

The second most populous country in Africa Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa with estimated population of about 120 million people with diverse languages, religions, and other cultural features. The country has one of the fastest population growth rates that is on a decrease since the beginning of the new millennium. Until recently Ethiopia was considered to be one of the fast-growing economies in Africa with a vision to reach a middle-income status by 2035. Needless to say, this prospect is being challenged by cyclic political instability and recurrent droughts with their own direct and indirect impact on the projected strides in the development of the health sector. Health indicators The 2019 Ethiopian mini demographic and health survey (EMDHS) showed that 37 % of children under the age of five were stunted, whereas 12% suffered the severe form of it. The country experiences one of the unacceptably high maternal mortality ratios in the world. In 2017, Ethiopia reported the death of 401 women per 100,000 population from pregnancy and childbirth-related complications. It declined from 1,030 in 2000. Based on the country’s goal to reduce the ratio to 199 per 100,000 population by 2020, one can judge that the achievement was not impressive though encouraging. The country is demonstrating remarkable improvement in reducing infant and child mortality rates. The under-5 mortality rate for example has declined from 123 per 1000 live births in 2005 to 59 in 2019. Similarly, infant and neonatal mortality rates have dropped from 77 and 39 in 2005 to 47 and 33 in 2019 respectively. This is a massive improvement but has not spared the country from being one of the worst with respect to these specific indicators. Nevertheless, the achievement indicates that success is within reach if we work towards it in concert.