Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) -- Mr. Glenn Anders, the newly arrived USAID/Ethiopia Mission Director, and members of the USAID health and education teams toured the Southern Nations, Nationalities People’s Region (SNNPR) from July 19 – 21, 2006. Mr. Anders met with government officials at the Regional Health and Education Bureaus, including Dr. Shiferew T/Mariam and Ato Redwan Hussein, to discuss USAID’s health and education programs in the region. Mr. Anders commended the excellent collaboration that exists between USAID and the regional bureaus for more than a decade.
Mr. Anders visited an HIV/AIDS Information Center in Debre Zeit, toured the Yirgalem Hospital HIV/AIDS treatment program, the Adama Health Center where USAID is supporting HIV testing and counseling through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Reduction (PEPFAR); and the Awassa Teacher Training College. As part of the USAID-Ministry of Education Community-Government Partnership Program Mr. Anders met with parent representatives of a Parent-Teacher Association of the Yedget Fana primary school in Awassa and with community health promoters and reproductive health agents to discuss the challenges of keeping girls in school, stopping harmful traditional practices and resource mobilization at the community level.
USAID-supported health and education programs in SNNPR have helped increase the percentage of married women using modern family planning methods, and raised the immunization coverage through the USAID/Ministry of Health-supported community health initiatives. The gross enrolment rates for girls in SNNPR have also increased significantly as a direct result of increased investment in primary education and girls’ attendance.
Mr. Anders commended the USAID-funded programs in SNNPR, and emphasized the importance of continued partnership with the government of Ethiopia, the NGOs and community members to ensure lasting improvements in the health and well being of Ethiopian citizens.
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