Plan’s programme of health training and clean water supply has given opportunities for many Ethiopian children. The programme in Ethiopia supports the parents and community officials to prevent communicable diseases and malnutrition. According to Ministry of Health statistics in 2010 child mortality dropped from 123 to 101 per 1000 births as a result of attention to maternal and infant health.
Less than half of the population in Ethiopia has access to safe water supply services. Water and sanitation problems have been one of the major contributors for the water born diseases. Many children die from childhood diseases that could easily be prevented through immunization and basic health services.
Plan’s project built the capacity of Community Health Promoters and parents through training on simple household practices, immunization, personal hygiene and appropriate child-feeding practices. The trained community health promoters forwarded their knowledge to communities reaching in total an estimated population of 9 800. This has helped the communities in the project areas become able to prevent childhood diseases such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, malaria and even malnutrition. Different campaigns on de-worming, micro-nutrient and anti-malaria reached over 70 000 children under the age of five years. Also two new water systems were under construction to improve water supply and health status for respective communities.
Training of parents has also caused changes in attitudes. Many parents and communities have started demanding better quality in health services from the government. As a result of the programme the quality and accessibility of the health services provided by the government health facilities improved significantly.
Water is one of the most important vital conditions for life and clean water a precondition for survival. Support for projects that develop potable water supply and increase hygiene is a natural continuation to Kemira’s international work as a leading water chemistry company.
>> Learn more about Kemira’s cooperation with Plan
Story by Alli Asikainen, Plan Finland
Pictures: © Plan