Ethiopia has one of the lowest health expenditures in the world, at just $21 per person. The vast majority of people live in rural areas, where accessing healthcare is extremely difficult. For example:
- Only 1% of childbirths among the poorest fifth of the population are attended by skilled health workers
- Just 15% of women aged 15-49 (or their partners) use contraception
- Women have an average of six children each
- Four out of five people live on less than $2 per day
The poorest groups include nomadic pastoralists who live in remote areas with poorly developed infrastructure. They comprise around 10% of the population, and are made more vulnerable by the lack of health services which are appropriate to their nomadic lifestyle.
Health Poverty Action is working with these nomadic communities to:
Prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS
In South Omo we are empowering pastoralists to prevent the spread of HIV.
Save mothers’ lives
In the Bale Lowlands we are improving maternity services and access to sexual and reproductive health information for nomadic pastoralists.
Improve basic health services
In South Omo, we are setting up health outreach clinics and services in remote pastoralist communities.
Last modified: 27/01/2012
