Care Tourism

By Girmachew Gashaw

Development of the preventive and promotive components of health care, development of an equitable and acceptable standard of health service system that will reach all segments of the population within the limits of resources, among others, are the two general principles of Ethiopia’s health policy.

After the onset of the aforesaid policy and strategy, private medical service institutions have been increasing both in quantity and quality. Due to the attractiveness of the policy, both local and international investors have been enjoying the policy and contributing their share for the improvement of the sector investing a huge amount of capital.

The situation helps investors to upgrade levels of investment time and again. Among the investors, who contribute more in health sector, Prof. Getachew Adreraye, is taken as a standard-bearer.

Until the end of 2009, he had been serving the Medical Faculty under Addis Ababa University as lung unit head. After serving the university for over 25 years, he decided to work privately. Earlier, he had been working in Hallelujah clinic and finally he established the grand Hallelujah hospital together with his family.

“Unfortunately, I have lived equal share of my life in three governments,” said professor Getachew, he remembered that he was 24 years old when the imperial regime was overthrown. “When something goes down, everything follows it suit. And when it rises all things also rise.” Especially at the regime of Haile-seillase, there were some signs the country could take off. The system seemed good even though it was crippled by an archaic order.

On the other hand, a number of educated Ethiopians introduced new ideologies. But the system failed following the objections made by students, farmers etc.

Finally, the nation embraced socialism, the fad of the time. Unfortunately, the system brought serious failure for the nation. It made the nation backward compared to neighboring countries. “When they go forward, we lapsed two steps backward. And the gap between us was widest. Be it economically, socially and politically. The system was weak.”

It was with a lot of messes the incumbent received the nation . When the new government put in place its structures it brought about good things. At least, in health sector, in deed, during the Haile-selassie regime , services were not expanded that much. But in the Derg regime, the private health sector had been literally ignored.

This is because the system that regime pursued did not allowe private investors to participate in the economy. “Let alone, opening private businesses, it was unthinkable to work at private health hospitals. The existing situation didn’t allow room to do that. Even though the system knew that working in a spare time was decisive for the improvement of the society, the health system was gasping for air under the crushing weight so many debilitating rules and regulations.

“But now, a change for the better is conspicuous.” The government mainly focuses on primary health care. Which is quite right. When a breath of fresh air comes, it has to make people beneficial. On the other hand, it encourages the private sector to support the upper superstructure of the economy.

For instance, ” I recall when I was constructing this hospital, in importing necessary inputs the government had facilitated duty free privileges to me. The move is a remarkable one. I did not say that there is no problem at all. For instance, I think there is a problem of acquisition of land in this country, I feel it should be a bit relaxed in some points. But it is heartening to note that the health sector is enjoying preferential treatment that allowed it better achievements.”

But the bureaucracy prevalent in the area of land acquisition is patience exhausting. Sometimes, it is an issue to loose hope on. But you find useful things in principle. “Unfortunately, we are beneficiaries of that project. in this case, I thank the government. There is a duty free incentive and there is no factor that prohibits investor to engage in any investment venture.”

Regarding economic growth, a middle class is created. In tandem with this, good opportunities have been expanding for private investment especially to those engaged in the health sector. The start up is promising. There are weaknesses particularly in land provision. As the system allowed it a go ahead, encouraging investors in this regard is critical. “That is why we invest over 300 million Birr without any fear.”

Based on the success stories registered and lesson got from wrong turns, over the past 25 years, preparation of plan is continuing. The plan had been implemented over the first GTP period. It will be further translated into action in the second GTP period in a strengthened manner. For this to happen, the government works focusing on investors. According to health minister , Dr. Kesetebirhane Admassu, much is expected from investors to realize the plan especially improving quality and specialized health services.

Primarily, health institutions have to strengthen their internal work system. If it is possible to ensure the desired quality, beyond benefiting out of the medical tourism, the nation can slash down the number of patients, who go abroad in search of better medical services. Thus, investors can fulfill gaps in areas where the government has not provided focuses- specialized medical services. For this, the government facilitates various incentives to investors, the minister underlined.

Among others, the health policy places high emphasis on manpower development . A task not given special attention 25 years back. For instance, health professionals working in the health sector did not exceed the 40,000 mark. But, these days, their number at national level, has reached over 180,000 of which 39,000 are health extension workers while 46,000 nurses, 6,000 health officers, over 8,000 midwives, as well as over 8,000 medical doctors. But there remains a lot to be done.

On government’s side, producing health professionals as per the population size is critical said professor Getachew, adding that with regarding to quality of professionals, it has to provide special attention. As to him, the government aggressively works in producing teachers who train health professionals. It as well gives emphasis to strengthening institutions by furnishing them with modern technological equipment. Explaining that his next plan is creating an institution to produce qualified and specialized health personnel.

Dr. Kesete-birhane also seconds the above statement. “Though the status of the university hospitals ,where we offer training, is higher, it is not up to the desired level.” Thus, he calls international and local investors to invest in the area.

Regarding medical service, Dr. Kesete said, such service is directly related to human life. Thus, the issue of medical ethics should be a key agenda of health institutions.

They have to work professionally to provide respectful, compassionate and ethical health care service to their patients. Pertaining to this, ” A physician who violates medical ethics today gets accused on the morrow,” said, professor Getachew. Until the fulfillment of legal gaps, strengthening professional association is critical.

In sum, the nation has registered internationally accredited achievements the task has to be strengthened by producing specialized medical doctors.

It also needs to expand the construction of building for the sake of expanding primary, secondary, tertiary and even Quaternary hospitals through the participation of both government, local and international investors. As it is the focus of second GTP, much is expected from professionals in providing quality and equitable service that satisfy the public’s need.

source: http://www.allafrica.com / All Africa / Home / The Ethiopian Herald / by Girmachew Gashaw / June 02n d, 2016