Addis Ababa Women's Health Centre
In Ethiopia, the status of women is very low, with the country ranking 134th out of 140 in the United Nations Development Program's (UNDP) gender related development index. It is little surprise therefore that specialist women's healthcare is not considered of great importance or made widely available.
At the beginning of 2007, Ethiopiaid began work with a partner to establish a Women's Health Centre in Addis Ababa. We strongly believe that this is an vital step in addressing the deficit in female and healthcare so that many lives can be saved.
The dedicated medical staff at the new centre will screen women for common conditions and provide an advisory service to raise awareness on issues including pregnancy, contraception and HIV/AIDs. As with all of Ethiopiaid's partner projects, care will be available to all, regardless of wealth or background. By offering both prevention and cure, it is hoped positive and lasting change can be achieved and a better future provided for Ethiopia's women.
The centre will be the first in the country to specialise in the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer. In a country like Ethiopia, where specialist healthcare is rarely available, many women suffer and die from this disease without even knowing they have it. By providing this much needed service, the medical staff at the centre will be able to save many lives and raise awareness about this treatable condition.
In addition to this, the centre will act as a training facility for local medical professionals and students to ensure that the level of specialist care available to women is improved throughout the country. This is a vital step in improving women's health in Ethiopia, and ensuring a better future for their children.