Addis Abeba – The Tigray Regional Health Bureau has reported an alarming surge in malaria cases, with 17,000 new infections recorded weekly over the past two weeks and 13 related deaths documented in the last three months.

Aregay Gebremedhin, head of the Disease Prevention and Control Team, told Deutsche Welle (DW) that the disease is spreading across 66 districts in the region. He attributed the rise to limited access to medication and insufficient mosquito control measures.

Aregay noted that the aftermath of the war in the region has had a significant impact on healthcare services. He highlighted shortages of medical professionals, delays in the supply of essential drugs, and interruptions in anti-mosquito interventions as key challenges complicating malaria control efforts.

In July, the bureau reported a 60% increase in malaria cases, with 20 districts significantly affected. Of these, 10 districts reached epidemic levels.

The rise in malaria cases is part of a broader national trend. In Oromia, 1.4 million infections have been recorded in the past three months, compounded by conflict between federal forces and local militias that displaced over 1.5 million people. Humanitarian efforts, including the distribution of bed nets and medicines, have been disrupted, leaving communities vulnerable.

Similarly, the Amhara Public Health Institute recently reported 37 malaria-related deaths and over 64,000 new cases in a single week. Ongoing security challenges have hindered disease monitoring and control efforts, exacerbating the spread.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released a new report on malaria in Ethiopia, revealing that the country reported over 7.3 million cases and 1,157 deaths between 01 January and 20 October, 2024. AS

Addis Abeba – The Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU) has called on the federal government to reduce income taxes for fixed-income workers and implement additional measures to mitigate the rising cost of living.

Kassahun Follo, President of CETU, told the Voice of America (VOA) that the confederation has submitted a letter to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, requesting urgent economic interventions to alleviate the financial challenges faced by workers.

Kassahun highlighted the declining purchasing power of the Ethiopian birr, which has left many workers, particularly those with fixed incomes, struggling to meet basic needs.

“Low-income workers are particularly affected. Despite their hard work, many cannot afford daily necessities, with some resorting to scavenging leftover food from hotels,” he said.

He also noted the difficult conditions faced by workers in industrial parks and expressed concern that previous discussions with the prime minister had not yielded concrete results. “The financial strain on workers continues to grow. Immediate and effective measures are needed,” Kassahun stated.

The confederation has previously called for guidelines on private-sector wage adjustments following the government’s macroeconomic reforms and plans to increase public-sector wages.

A recent International Labor Organization (ILO) study found that the median monthly wage in Ethiopia is 3,000 birr (approximately $52). The study also revealed that low wages have contributed to dissatisfaction, with 48% of workers in foreign-owned apparel firms leaving their jobs due to inadequate compensation. AS

Addis Abeba – Kasahun Gofe, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, announced that the Ministry’s previous arrangement for cement trade will be discontinued as of today, November 8, 2024.

He explained that cement producers are now authorized to choose their own distributors and retailers to offer products to consumers at reasonable prices.

Kasahun shared this government decision during a meeting held earlier today with cement producers, aimed at balancing supply and demand in the market.

Since 2022, cement factories have been required by the Ministry to sell their products at fixed prices to designated wholesalers in an effort to stabilize soaring cement costs.

Kasahun also indicated that the entire trading system will transition to a digital payment system, eliminating cash transactions entirely.

According to the Minister, producers will be required to submit performance reports to the Ministry, with administrative action to be taken against any cement producer that fails to comply.

In Ethiopia, the annual cement supply has fallen short of the 7 million tons mark, while national demand remains at 20 million tons per year. AS

Addis Abeba – Ethiopia’s House of People’s Representatives has approved a $738.2 million loan to South Sudan for the construction of a major cross-border highway aimed at connecting the two countries.

The decision, made during the House’s fourth regular session, formalizes a 2023 loan agreement focused on a 220-kilometer road project intended to enhance connectivity and foster economic ties across the Ethiopia-South Sudan border.

The financing agreement specifies that South Sudan, as the borrower, will repay the loan over a ten-year period, with a five-year grace period included. Ethiopia is to receive repayments either in cash or crude oil, transported to Port Sudan.

This agreement follows an initial deal signed in May 2023, when Ethiopia’s State Minister of Finance, Eyob Tekalign, and South Sudan’s Finance Minister, Dr. Dier Tong Ngor, formalized a contract to build the Paloch-Mathiang-Maiwut-Pagak highway.

South Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly ratified the agreement in June 2024, highlighting its commitment to the infrastructure project and the expected economic benefits. AS

Addis Abeba – Pfizer, a leading biopharmaceutical company, announced on Tuesday the delivery of its one-billionth dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) to Ethiopia as part of its long-standing collaboration with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to support immunization in low-income countries.

The milestone dose will aid Ethiopia’s efforts to protect children from pneumococcal disease, a leading cause of childhood mortality.

“We are thrilled to have reached this milestone through our collaboration with Gavi to help children around the world have the opportunity to live longer and healthier lives,” said Nick Lagunowich, President of Pfizer Emerging Markets.

Since its partnership with Gavi began in 2010, Pfizer’s PCVs have reached 57 countries supported by Gavi, providing immunization to over 300 million children.

According to Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health, pneumonia is a significant health challenge, causing over 40,000 deaths annually among children under five. Pfizer reports it has supplied more than 40 million pneumococcal vaccines in Ethiopia alone since 2020.

Melkamu Ayalew, head of Ethiopia’s immunization program, remarked that support from Pfizer and Gavi has been essential in addressing the country’s pressing health needs. The one-billionth dose, he added, “represents the commitment of Pfizer, Gavi, and other partners to improving child health in Ethiopia and beyond.”

Pfizer notes that more than half of its pneumococcal vaccines are provided on a not-for-profit basis to low- and lower-middle-income countries, aligning with the company’s broader “Accord for a Healthier World” initiative. AS

Addis Abeba – The Amhara Region Health Professionals Association has reported the deaths of four health professionals and the detention of several others amid the ongoing militarized conflict between government forces and Fano militias in Ethiopia’s Amhara region.

Tesfa Mekonnen, Secretary of the Association, told the Voice of America that two pharmacists in the West and North Gojjam zones lost their lives in the past two weeks. Additionally, he reported that a nurse in Bahir Dar city sustained gunshot injuries from “unidentified armed individuals” while performing her duties.

“Health professionals across various areas of the region are experiencing restrictions on their professional freedom. Multiple health workers have been arrested, released, and faced physical assault,” Tesfa stated.

A previous human rights assessment report, presented at the Amhara Region Higher Education Institutions Forum on 15 October, revealed that 1,116 health professionals have been displaced from their posts throughout the region.

The report, which included input from governmental and non-governmental organizations, also documented fatalities among health workers, though specific numbers were not provided.

The assessment further highlighted disruptions to medical supply chains and ambulance services across the region due to the ongoing conflict. AS