In an ongoing commitment to combatting Tuberculosis (TB) and Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) in targeted urban regions of Ethiopia, The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) initiated the USAID Urban TB Local Organizations Network II Activity today. An ambitious five-year project with an investment of $8 million (equivalent to 450 million Birr), it reflects USAID’s long-term commitment to advancing global health.
Selected for implementation are the cities of Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa, in addition to the shaggar City in the Oromia region and the Harari National Regional State. The launch was officiated by Karen Koprince, the acting director of USAID/Ethiopia Health Office, alongside Dr. Dereje Duguma, the State Minister of Health. Artist Alemayehu Tadesse, the project’s Goodwill Ambassador, also attended the launch, held at the Mekedonia Shelter for the Elderly, one of the project’s targeted beneficiary groups.
The project’s comprehensive approach aims to support the Ethiopian Government and its people in reaching the United Nations High-Level Declaration targets of eradicating TB by the year 2030. Aside from detecting 95 percent of all TB and DR-TB cases, the project’s objectives include treating 95% of all identified patients successfully and preventing TB infections from progressing into disease conditions. The focus extends to strengthening urban TB control systems, broadening TB and DR-TB case identification and treatment, prioritizing people-centered care, and exploring innovative combat strategies against TB.
Speaking on the occasion, Karen Koprince noted the upcoming anniversary of the U.S. and Ethiopia’s diplomatic ties, established 120 years ago. The inauguration of USAID operations in Ethiopia followed that by 60 years. She underlined USAID’s commitment to Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to eradicate TB.
The task of implementing the project falls on the locally-based organization REACH Ethiopia, with the participation of two other local organizations, Organic Health Services and Yeshama Birhan. This falls in line with USAID’s localization strategy. The target is to provide nearly six million people with comprehensive TB services, focusing especially on vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people with diabetes, HIV patients, and those residing in facilities like shelters, penitentiaries, underserved urban areas, and industrial parks.
The United States Government continues to support Ethiopia’s healthcare system and the wellbeing of its people. In the last half-decade, its investments have totaled nearly $1 billion in projects aimed at improving the health and wellness of Ethiopians across all regions. This includes an ongoing partnership with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health to eliminate malaria.
