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Ethiopia Ails: The Triple Faces of Disease & Struggle

Updated: Mar 6


If you are currently residing in Ethiopia, you most likely have heard in the past few months that someone near you -it can be family or friends or maybe a neighbor- have


  • fallen ill from foodborne disease, flu-like illness, or another infectious disease, or

  • been recently diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease, cancer, or some chronic illnesses, or

  • suffered traumatic injury from a fall, workplace, or road traffic accident.


This makes you wonder, how many people around you are actually in good health? What does this mean for your future? Is it a coincidence or is there something more to it? 


Let`s talk numbers! 


None of us are immune from diseases. At one time or another, we have fallen ill or will fall ill. Globally speaking billions of people suffer from various diseases annually. According to recent data in Ethiopia;


  • 1 in 15 people has diabetes.

  • 1 in 5 people has hypertension, with men (1 in 4) being more affected than women (1 in 5).

  • 1 in 20 people lives with cardiovascular disease.

  • Nearly 1 in 2 workers experience a work-related injury, with the highest risk in construction, especially in Addis Ababa.

  • In 2017, 69 in 100,000 people died from injuries, mainly due to road accidents, falls, self-harm, and violence. These deaths are highest among men, children under 5, and youth aged 15–24.

  • 1 in 30 people suffered from injury-related disability.


Seeing these numbers, you are right to think Ethiopia is facing an immense health crisis. We can say with confidence that these problems alone are enough to strain a nation’s healthcare system by creating crippling public health challenges. Yet, we have not included infectious illnesses in the picture! What if we include casualties of the raging civil war that is engulfing the country?


This number is huge. Ethiopia is struggling with these immense health problems that affect every household in one form or another. Ethiopia is ailing. The battle to recovery and a healthier community is not an easy one for the country. It is laced with many challenges. The country is facing not one not two but three faces of diseases. In medical terms, it is said Ethiopia is faced with a triple disease burden. 



Communicable Diseases: The Persistent Foe

Communicable diseases have dominated Ethiopia`s health profile for decades if not for centuries. As their name entails, these diseases are transmissible from a diseased individual to a healthy one. They are caused by infectious agents like bacteria, viruses, and parasites. They are often linked to poverty, poor sanitation, and inadequate healthcare access. Hence, they are the dominant foe plaguing the community.


In contrast to the developed world, Ethiopia still struggles to keep these communicable diseases at bay. The country`s economy is growing and urbanization is increasing, thus theoretically, communicable diseases should decline or at least be easier to control.


But, is that the reality? Are these communicable diseases really disappearing? What does the recurrent acute watery diarrhea outbreak in Addis Ababa entail?


The reality is that the inadequate healthcare infrastructure, the recurrent drought, and the social unrest prevailing in the country have made it impossible to control these diseases effectively.


Subsequently, Ethiopia was among the 30 high-burden countries for TB in 2021, with an estimated 143,000 cases and an incidence rate of 119 per 100,000 people. The prevalence of HIV/ AIDS is rising again despite positive progress in its prevention. Ethiopia is among the hepatitis B Endemic countries. Malarial outbreaks still occur in rural lowland regions, despite efforts to curb its spread.



However, communicable diseases are only one-third of the picture 


Non-Communicable Diseases: The Emerging Threats

Injuries: The Overlooked Crisis

The Combined Front: Communicable Disease, Non-communicable Disease and Injury


The health infrastructure of Ethiopia is not yet ready to handle these created matrices of problems. However, the fight is only starting. The Ethiopian Ministry of Health, in collaboration with international and local actors, has been making a concerted effort to combat and control these health challenges. While the battle is tough, progress is being made.


With sustained commitment and continuous collaboration with stakeholders, Ethiopia can work toward a stronger, more resilient healthcare system. This united front can create a healthcare system that not only treats diseases but actively prevents them. 


Ethiopia’s health story is still being written. By taking action now, we can rewrite it for a healthier future 



Your Perspective Matters!

What health challenges have you observed in your community?


Have you or someone you know been affected by any of these issues?


Share your experiences and insights in the comments below.


Together, we can spark a conversation that leads to real change! 


 

Resources

Admasu, N., Lomboro, A., Kebede, E. et al. Recent HIV infection and associated factors among newly diagnosed HIV cases in the Southwest Ethiopia Regional State: HIV case-based surveillance analysis (2019–2022). BMC Infect Dis 24, 609 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-024-09481-z


Alamneh, Y.M., Wondifraw, A.Z., Negesse, A. et al. The prevalence of occupational injury and its associated factors in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Occup Med Toxicol 15, 14 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-020-00265-0


Ali, S., Destaw, Z., Misganaw, A. et al. The burden of injuries in Ethiopia from 1990-2017: evidence from the global burden of disease study. Inj. Epidemiol. 7, 67 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-020-00292-9


Angaw, D.A., Ali, R., Tadele, A. et al. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of institutional and community-based studies. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 21, 37 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-020-01828-z


Ethiopia National Strategy for Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis 2016-2020 | CGHE


Sub-Saharan Africa | The Cancer Atlas 


Tesfaye, B., Alebel, A., Gebrie, A., Zegeye, A., Leshargie, C. T., Ferede, A., ... & Alam, K. (2019). Diabetes mellitus and its association with hypertension in ethiopia: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Diabetes research and clinical practice, 156, 107838.


Tiruneh SA, Bukayaw YA, Yigizaw ST, Angaw DA (2020) Prevalence of hypertension and its determinants in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE 15(12): e0244642. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244642


WHO. Global Tuberculosis Report 2021. Geneva: World Health Organization; (2022). [Google Scholar]


Zeru, M.A., Tesfa, E., Mitiku, A.A. et al. Prevalence and risk factors of type-2 diabetes mellitus in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 11, 21733 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-01256-9















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