Integrating TB and malaria services into Maternal and Neonatal Child Health

In Ethiopia, approximately 68% of the population is at risk of malaria with nearly a million people detected annually. The TB incidence in 2018 was 151 per 100,000, with yearly detection exceeding 110,000. More than three million women give birth annually in Ethiopia and are equally or more at risk of acquiring malaria or TB. The aforementioned complexities of these diseases in maternal and child health apply to all parts of Ethiopia. However, the four regions of Afar, Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella, and Somali are more likely to be affected due to relatively weak health systems and poor health seeking behaviours. These regions have vulnerable communities due to their pastoralist and semi pastoralist lifestyles and are also affected by calamities such as droughts and disease outbreaks. Amref operates in these areas to mainly implement Reproductive Maternal Neonatal and Child Health programs. Through an existing Amref-led Transform HDR project, Amref will contribute towards tackling these challenges. The existing project aims to increase health access and address vulnerable communities. The first intermediate result of Transform HDR focusses on access to healthcare, mainly maternal and child health (MCH) and malaria, in the developing regional states of Afar, Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella and Somali. Through this programme, Amref will continue to address the gaps in malaria and TB in mothers and children, in order to build upon current achievements and maximise impact. Additionally, to combat the detrimental effects of COVID-19, each activity will consider preventative measures such as physical distancing, hand hygiene and appropriate use of face masks.