In Ethiopia, Project HOPE is responding to COVID-19 in the hardest-hit parts of the country. Meet a doctor helping lead that response.
Posted: August 18, 2020
Ethiopia is experiencing a worrying spike in COVID-19 cases, including its largest single-day increase of cases on August 15. With nearly 29,000 confirmed cases and over 500 deaths as of mid-August, there are growing concerns that the virus is rapidly spreading, particularly among more vulnerable populations near the country’s borders.
In July, Project HOPE launched a six-month program to improve COVID-19 prevention, preparedness, and case management for vulnerable populations in two regions of Ethiopia: Dire Dawa city and Somali Regional State. Though these areas comprise less than 5% of Ethiopia’s population, by June they had totaled more than 12% of the country’s confirmed COVID-19 cases.
In the Somali region — which borders Djibouti, Somalia, and Kenya — many of the new cases are among returnees from neighboring countries. Additionally, the Somali region hosts nearly 200,000 refugees, mainly from Somalia, in addition to large numbers of internally displaced people and migrants. The majority of the population are pastoralists who move their herds in search of food and water, and who are particularly vulnerable to climate shocks and the effects of a highly transmissible disease like COVID-19.
Dr. Zaid, middle, is a specialist in Project HOPE’s COVID-19 response in Ethiopia, which focuses on supporting health care workers and vulnerable population groups, including internally displaced people. Photo courtesy Dr. Tekleab Zaid.
What is your background, and how did you end up at Project HOPE?
My name is Dr. Tekleab Zaid, and I am the Training and Case Management Specialist for Project HOPE’s COVID-19 response in Ethiopia.
I’ve only been with Project HOPE for a few weeks, but I knew a lot about the organization before I started. Previously, I worked with Abt Associates Inc. for nearly 12 years, where I was involved with a comprehensive HIV/AIDS program that worked with the government, the private sector, and non-profits. I am a public health professional with more than 30 years’ experience in clinical medicine and also the father of two engineers.
How did you get started in development work?
I got into development work by working with Angolan Refugees in Zambia at Mayukwayukwa Refugee Settlement, one of the oldest refugee camps which opened in 1965. I worked there as a medical coordinator responsible for health, nutrition, and sanitation.
How bad is COVID-19 in Ethiopia? What kind of impact do you hope to achieve?
So far, Ethiopia has reported more than 28,000 positive cases of COVID-19, with over 500 deaths. That’s with a total of nearly 590,000 tests done so far.
Project HOPE’s program, funded by OFDA, will benefit health care workers and vulnerable population groups, including internally displaced people, in the city of Dire Dawa and the Somali Regional State.
The project will mainly target districts and health facilities serving a huge number of internally displaced people and vulnerable populations in both regions. Primarily, it will focus on strengthening the health workforce, communicating to communities, and ensuring standardized and updated care and treatment for people affected by COVID-19.
Dr. Zaid, middle, with members of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region regional Health Bureau in Ethiopia. Photo courtesy Dr. Tekleab Zaid.
What’s one thing people might not realize about Ethiopia?
One thing people may not realize about Ethiopia is that it’s growing in many dimensions and has seen many national achievements, including remarkable progress in child and maternal mortality, HIV infection rates, and deaths from diseases like malaria and TB. It can set the example for other countries that have a similar social, political, and economic status.
What motivates you in your job and keeps you going?
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