Bahir Dar, October 5, 2007 (Bahir Dar) - The Ministry of Health announced plans to construct 500 new health stations during the current Ethiopian budget year with a view to expanding basic healthcare services across the nation.Public relations service head with the ministry, Ahmed Imano told ENA that 740 million Birr is allotted to the construction of the new health service facilities.
The health facilities, whose constructions are expected to be finalized within the current budget year, are expected to enable close to 12.5 million people get access to basic health services.
The fund for the construction of the health facilities was obtained from international agencies working in the health sector, Ahmed said.
Donors have also pledged to construct additional 500 health stations with a view to boosting the current 635 health stations operating across in the country by two-fold.
He said efforts would also be made to administer the existing as well as the new health stations by qualified health officers and to equip them with necessary human power and medical equipment.
The ministry envisages constructing over 5,800 additional health posts through public participation with in the coming two years in a bid to expand health extension services in rural localities of the nation.
According to the head, the construction of the new health stations would complement toward realizing 100 percent coverage of basic healthcare services in Ethiopia.
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