ICRC Delivers Lifesaving Medical Supplies to Hospitals in Amhara

ADDIS ABABA – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it has delivered life-saving medical supplies to health facilities in the restive Amhara region.

“Patients wounded in ongoing violence and those facing other life-threatening conditions in Amhara region are receiving urgent and lifesaving medical care in health facilities,” the ICRC said in a statement today.

Many health facilities in the region have not been able to replenish supplies due to the security situation while ambulances could not move quickly to respond to emergencies in the most affected areas.

“We ran out of vital supplies and oxygen in the first few days of the fighting. Many patients in intensive care died because we could not do any major surgery,” said Dr. Kassaye Demeke, emergency and clinical care specialist at Gondar University Referral Hospital.

“Medicines, water, and electricity are in short supply, and it is impossible sometimes to clean wounds. We do not have enough drips, plates, and screws to stitch fractures, and are prioritizing the most critical cases,” Dr Kassaye added.

The ICRC has delivered urgent medical and surgical supplies to five hospitals in collaboration with the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS). They also assisted with the transportation of blood supplies provided by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health.

The deliveries of assistance also include intravenous fluids, suture materials, antibiotics, painkillers, gloves, orthopedic and fracture repair materials, physiotherapy materials, surgical drainage tubes, anesthesia consumables and dressing materials.

Apart from Gondar University Referral Hospital, Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Lalibela General Hospital, Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Referral Hospital in Bahir Dar, and Shewa Robit Primary Hospital received the emergency supplies.

These hospitals have faced increased pressure due to the influx of patients with injuries related to the fighting, according to the ICRC.

“It has been difficult for our teams to move or communicate in the region, but we were able to coordinate with the most affected health facilities to overcome some immediate shortages,” said Delphine Leterrier, the ICRC’s head of sub-delegation in Gondar.