Problems
There are many
problems with health and healthcare in Ethiopia and
children
suffer greatly because of these problems. One problem is famine. Most
Ethiopians depend on crops for their food. In the late 1970's there were
droughts which ruined many crops, and in the 1980's about one million
people died from starvation. Also only 25% of the population in Ethiopia
recieve safe water. Another problem is the poor health
facilities. The nearest health service to many is three
days away by foot. Poverty is another factor in poor health and health
care. Poverty leads to poor parental care, unsanitary housing conditions
and higher rates of respiratory and other infections.
The Effects on Children
In 1993, 204 out
1000 children
under the age of five died, and 47.6% of children under the age of five
suffer from being underweight and having moderate and severe growth
problems. Malnutrition, infections and
other diseases contribute to the high child mortality rate. Because of these poor health conditions, many children in
Ethiopia die.
Government Intervention
The government has tried to help. The Ethiopian government tried to lay
out guidelines for villagisation. These guidelines were issued by the
Ministry of Agriculture of Ethiopia. The guidelines say that the Ethiopian
government is
going to try to expand the production of crops, facilitate access to
schools, clinics, and water supplies. This would be beneficial if it were
passed. The government also has launched a five year National Vitamin A
Deficiency control program, which distributed Vitamin A capsules to 2.5
million children, began in 1989.
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References
Cohen, J.M. "Villagisation in Ethiopia's Arsi Region." The Journal of Modern African Studies 25.3 (1987):436.
Regions, Harage and Genet Mengistu. "Fertility and Child Mortality in Rural Ethiopia:" Journal of BioSocial Science 21:1 (1989): 115-121
Unicef(1995) "State of Ethiopia's Children, 1995" Unicef Online. online. Internet.(1995). Unicef