The Ethiopian Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba disclosed that Macedonia has made significant strides in enhancing the quality and level of services available for the elderly.
In a meeting held at the Ministry, Dr. Mekdes met with Biniyam Belete, the founder and director of the Macedonian Center for the Elderly and Mental Health in Addis Ababa.
During the discussion, Dr. Mekdes highlighted the implications of the new health policy that has been implemented, which enables the provision of critical care services for elderly individuals and mental health patients directly from primary healthcare facilities.
This policy is viewed as a noteworthy reflection of the government's commitment to addressing the needs of these vulnerable populations, Mekdes stated.
Furthermore, she emphasized that the Ministry of Health will continue to enhance its support for the Macedonian Center for the Elderly and Mental Health, reinforcing their collaborative efforts to ensure the centre's ongoing success.
For his part, Biniyam Belete shared insights into the centre's mission, detailing how it specifically assists bedridden patients who cannot care for themselves.
Biniyam expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health for the ongoing support received and urged the ministry to sustain its assistance moving forward.
He stressed the importance of coordinating with relevant institutions, hospitals, and partner organizations to maximize the impact of their efforts.
In addition to these discussions, Dr. Mekdes and Biniyam reached an agreement to collaborate closely on the construction of a new facility a 1,200-bed hospital that is currently underway.
They addressed the necessity of providing adequate medical equipment to this facility to ensure it meets the needs of the community.
The Ministry of Health also reported that strategic discussions were conducted regarding the future operations of the Macedonian Center for the Elderly and Mental Health, focusing on sustainable ways to continue and potentially expand the centre's services in the years to come.