TENA mobile health service empowering Ethiopian communities in the midst of the pandemic
To further support our work with Ethiopian midwives and empower community members, a mobile interactive voice response (IVR) service has been developed to provide health information on topics related to the pandemic. This mobile IVR service, called TENA (HEALTH in Amharic), is freely available for anyone with a mobile phone – no smartphone required – making the service accessible for the majority of the Ethiopian society.
Strengthening maternal and neonatal health in Ethiopia in the midst of a global health emergency
The COVID-19 pandemic is jeopardizing the routine health services of Ethiopian midwives. The African Journal of Reproductive Health affirms that Ethiopian midwives struggle with the consequences of COVID-19 while ensuring safe deliveries. Health workers report that COVID-19 travel restrictions in Ethiopia are forcing pregnant women to give birth at home. Moreover, staff involved in the provision of SRHR services have been diverted to fulfill other tasks, clinics have been closed, and people are reluctant to visit health facilities for SRH services. Hence, the need to train midwives in performing their core tasks during these daring circumstances is evident.