Ministry of Health.
Baza Posterity development organization conducted its higher-level USAID-funded HIV prevention, testing and treatment Activity-Amhara region review meeting with stakeholders on 14 June 2024 at the Hilton hotel, Addis Ababa
Her Excellency Fantu Tesfaye , Amhara regional state speaker of the house, made an opening remark to the participants. Mr. Fekadu Yadeta, HIV prevention and control office lead executive officer from the Ministry of Health, and Mr. Abdulkerim Mengistu, Amhara regional health bureau head also made a keynote address and led the panel discussion with Mr. Fekadu and Dr. Zelalem. Other distinguished guests from partners including implementing partners executive directors were also invited and actively participated in this meeting. BPDO board of directors was part of this higher-level meeting and led the event stage greatly.
Following the organizational portfolio presented to the audience by Dr. Geremew Tarekegn, The USAID key population HIV prevention, testing and treatment Activity-Amhara region was presented by Dr. Zelalem Tadesse who is the chief of party of this Activity.
The presentation includes details of performance in line with the national HIV prevention strategies and Activity objectives, which provide insights into how the activity practically supports the national HIV epidemic control initiative. The presentation highlights prevention, testing and treatment performances, challenges and lessons learned for the past eight months.
After a half-day panel discussion, Mr. Fekadu noted that the ministry is very much value for the financial grant made by USAID and such an outstanding performance and commitment from the BPDO, its partners and staff to realize epidemic control. He also guides to strengthen supporting the region in line with the national policies and the ministry is ready to provide any support for BPDO and other stakeholders who are dedicated to improving the life of Ethiopians.
Mr. Abdulkerim, Amhara region health bureau head also emphasized that he is impressed by the geographic scope BPDO now reached nationally. As a region with lots of difficulties currently, not only for the health service provision, but the region also needs multi-sectoral support from BPDO and other organizations to alleviate multifaceted regional challenges we currently face.
He also noted that our partnership is indispensable to improving our community health needs and ensure regional HIV epidemic control. The regional health bureau and its structures are committed and ready to support BPDO and this USAID Activity to realize our common goal.
The review meeting was very successful and guidance from MoH and ARHB was critically collected to strengthen federal and regional level partnerships ever before to come up with a better solution to reach out to those who are unreached into HIV prevention services.
