A Healthier Future

When 18-month-old Idris fell ill, his mother Tahira would usually brace herself for the financial burden of consultation and treatment. But this time, something was different. “I had taken Idris for medical treatment, and they gave it to him for free,” she says, her voice filled with relief. Thanks to the health insurance programme for children under five years old funded by the European Union in the Ethiopia’s Afar region, families like hers no longer must choose between healthcare and basic needs.

“Because he received free treatment, we will buy what we need with the money we had set aside for the treatment,” she explains. For this mother living in the Berhale woreda (district) recently affected by drought, it’s a stark contrast to her experience with her first child, when every illness meant a struggle to afford care. “We used to struggle, but now there are major benefits, it [the health insurance] helps us a lot.”

Behind the scenes, healthcare workers like Mensur Umar are making this vision possible. Mensur works in the under-five ward of the recently renovated Berhale Health Centre which had been previously affected by conflict in Northern Ethiopia, where they treat children suffering from malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea, malnutrition, and other major illnesses. “The health centre has been renovated thanks to EU and UNICEF,” Mensur explains. “We’ve also received medical equipment.” These improvements have had a profound impact, “The mortality rate of mothers and children has dropped dramatically,” explains Mensur.

For Tahira, the under-5 health insurance is more than just financial support, it’s the foundation for her children’s future. “My children should be raised up well,” she says. “Afterwards, they can get a good job and start a family.”

Thanks to the generous funding of the European Union, families like Tahira’s now have access to free medical treatment, easing financial burdens and enabling them to prioritize their children’s well-being. Additionally, the upgraded health facility, equipped with new medical tools and staffed by trained professionals, is now better positioned to deliver quality care and reduce maternal and child mortality in the region.