To bolster Ethiopia's emergency healthcare capabilities, the United Kingdom has donated a mobile field hospital to the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), marking the first such donation by the UK to any country globally. This partnership further includes comprehensive training for Ethiopian medical staff by UK experts and a renewed agreement to collaborate on disaster and disease outbreak responses both within Ethiopia and internationally.
The official handover ceremony took place on Monday, with the UK Ambassador to Ethiopia, Darren Welch, presenting the state-of-the-art facility to the EPHI. The mobile field hospital, a Type 1 Emergency Medical Team (EMT) facility, represents a significant investment in improving Ethiopia's preparedness, resilience, and overall capacity to respond effectively to health emergencies.
Following the handover, a two-day simulation exercise, led by the UK Emergency Medical Team (UK EMT) in collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, the EPHI, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and UK-Med, was conducted. This hands-on training exercise aimed to equip the Ethiopian team with the necessary skills to operate cutting-edge equipment and strengthen their emergency response coordination. The simulation allowed participants to navigate hypothetical scenarios, thereby enhancing their ability to handle real-world crises efficiently.
The partnership between the UK-MED Emergency Medical Team and the Ethiopian Emergency Medical Team has been ongoing for two years, focused on developing regional expertise in emergency medical response. The collaboration provides a valuable learning opportunity for both British and Ethiopian medics, fostering knowledge exchange and best practice sharing. The recently signed agreement solidifies the commitment to continue this collaborative effort, ensuring ongoing expertise and technical assistance.
"Responding quickly in an emergency requires planning, people, and partnership," stated the UK's Minister for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury. "The UK donation of this field hospital shows how collaboration between the UK and Ethiopia helps build skills and readiness for future crises, will save lives, and is a powerful example of what we can achieve together."
Ethiopia's Minister for Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba, expressed gratitude for the UK's support, highlighting the significance of the donation in enhancing the nation's emergency response system. "Today's simulation exercise represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to develop a world-class emergency response system. This initiative has been made possible through the generous support of the United Kingdom, whose donation of a Type 1 Emergency Medical Team facility will greatly strengthen our emergency response capabilities."
The newly donated mobile field hospital is equipped with advanced medical technology and is designed to be rapidly deployed to disaster-affected areas, providing critical medical care to those in need. It is self-sufficient and contains facilities to perform triage, emergency surgery, and basic laboratory tests. The hospital is designed to be flexible and adaptable, capable of providing services in diverse environments.
The UK Ambassador to Ethiopia, Darren Welch, emphasized the confidence the UK has in the EPHI and the strength of the partnership between the two countries. "I was honoured to hand over this first-ever British donation of a field hospital. This is a sign of the confidence we have in the EPHI and of the strong partnership between the UK and Ethiopia. I look forward to seeing Ethiopian and British experts continuing the collaboration and one day deploying together to save lives when crisis strikes."
Dr. Mesay Hailu, Director General of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the critical role of preparation, collaboration, and resources in effective emergency response. "The support and training programme has elevated our country's emergency response to the next level. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to our partners at UK-MED for their steadfast support, particularly in donating this fully equipped Type 1 Fixed Field Hospital."
The UK's contribution strengthens Ethiopia’s health infrastructure and supports the country's journey to become a regional leader in emergency medical response.