New Field Hospital Starts Admitting Severely ill COVID-19 Patients
ADDIS ABABA – The ministry of health has opened today a major field hospital to give service to COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms as the number of coronavirus cases increases.
The facility which gives service under the Ministry and St. Peter’s Specialized Hospital in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Ethiopia, started admitting patients on the same day.
“It will provide care to patients with severe symptoms, and is equipped with the necessary medical equipment improving our capacity,” said Health Minister Dr. Lia Tadesse
Sunday’s inauguration of the facility – named as Addis Ababa COVID-19 Field Hospital – was attended by senior government officials including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The field hospital set up to hold up to 200 severe COVID-19 patients, said government officials who also opened a coronavirus testing kit factory on Sunday.
“With an increasing number of severe cases, the field hospital is a timely treatment center addition,” Prime Minister Abiy said in a message posted on twitter.
The east African nation’s number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has risen to nearly 64,000 causing almost 1,000 deaths. Of the current over 38, 000 active cases, up to 345 patients are severely ill, according to government figures.
Ethiopia has so far conducted 1.13 million tests – the third-highest number of tests to be carried out among African nations.
Featured Image: Prime Minister Abiy has inaugurated the facility on Sunday [Photo PM Office
