04 APRIL 2016, HAWASSA | The Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples (SNNPR) regional Health Bureau in Ethiopia continues to receive technical as well as logistics support from the World Health Organization (WHO).  Recently, in its continued support to strengthen the region’s effort in the prevention and control of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD), the WHO provided 1 DDK Basic Module + Support module + ORS module + Infusions Module worth USD 10,000.00   

During the handing over ceremony, Dr. Paul Mainuka  the WHO Representative (OIC) in Ethiopia, underscored WHO’s  continued commitment to supporting the region’s emergency response efforts for the current AWD outbreak.  He further noted that the small gesture is part of the over all WHO support to strengthening the Ethiopia’s health system to effectively address the AWD outbreak.  He further noted that similar gesture was extended to parallel AWD outbreak in Moyale district of Oromia Region (Ethio Kenya boarder).

Mr. Habtamu Beyene, the Deputy Bureau Head and Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Core Process Owner, on his part expressed his appreciation to the WHO for being there to support the latest outbreak as well as strengthening the health system through capacity building.  Mr. Habtamu farther reiterated his office’s gratitude to the WHO, and called on Mr. Paul to continue to support the health bureau in its endeavors.

In a related development, Dr. Paul had had a constructive meeting with the management of the regional health bureau on the current outbreak and other related health concerns. The meeting discussed  WHO support to the region  so far, and identified  the way forward to working together in emergency and development programs.

It is to be recalled that WHO has deployed about  7 ( seven) technical staff since December 2015 to help the SNNPR health bureau in its emergency response to the current drought and related health concerns including the AWD outbreak.