Ethiopia Network for HIV and AIDS Treatment, Care and Support Program Culminates Three Years of Achievements
For Immediate Release
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ministry of Health, Amhara and Tigray regional health bureaus and a Management Sciences for Health (MSH)-led consortium of international and Ethiopian partners celebrated achievements of the Ethiopia Network for HIV/AIDS Treatment, Care and Support (ENHAT-CS) program, which has significantly contributed to comprehensive HIV care and treatment in health centers in the Amhara and Tigray regions.
With funding of 25 million USD from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), through USAID, the program helped to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV, and their families and communities, through comprehensive, coordinated and evidence-based interventions.
Within three years, ENHAT-CS supported the growth in the number of HIV-positive Ethiopians receiving antiretroviral treatment from 45,000 in 2011 to 85,000 this year. In particular, the program increased the proportion of treatment coverage among HIV-positive pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child transmission from 45 to 87 percent in same period. ENHAT-CS also trained over 7,000 professional and para-professional health care providers to deliver these life-saving services.
Speaking at the event today, USAID Acting Deputy Mission Director Elise Jensen said, “ENHAT-CS could not have achieved these results without the Ethiopian Government and civil society organizations as partners. Through these partnerships we can foster a continuum of care linking services provided at home, in communities and in health facilities. While this ceremony highlights the contributions of one program, I would also like to recognize the leadership of the Ethiopian Government as well as the role of civil society so that Ethiopians at risk for, living with and affected by HIV receive the services that they need.”
The program supported the Government of Ethiopia to successfully decentralize the provision of comprehensive HIV and AIDS services to 276 health centers and strengthened health systems using a family-focused approach.
“Since 2005, when the Government of Ethiopia began making HIV services widely available and free of charge to its people, real progress and significant achievements have been made. Over the last three years, MSH and USAID, through the ENHAT-CS program, have been key partners of the regional health bureaus and woreda (district) health offices and health centers of Amhara and Tigray in supporting their efforts to provide comprehensive HIV services, including ART, and prevention of mother to child transmission services,” said Dr. Abraham Endashaw, director of the medical services directorate, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health. “We are grateful for their support and their contribution to our strengthened capacity to assume full responsibility, in partnership with PEPFAR, for ensuring our health facilities provide sustainable quality HIV services.”
As part of Ethiopia’s response to HIV, USAID remains committed to advance the goal of epidemic control through greater focus and ongoing partnerships, ensuring that investments target the places and people demonstrating the greatest need. Moreover, USAID will continue to support the transition of clinical services to the Ethiopian Government while promoting comprehensive prevention along with treatment.
See Also
Press Release ENHAT Celebration 12-4-18 [PDF, 85KB]
Remarks by Acting Deputy Mission Director ENHAT Celebration 12-4-18 [PDF, 97KB]
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