Activities carried out by the...

Activities carried out by the Nifas Silk Lafto Branch Office of the Addis Ababa Food and Medicine Authority during the first quarter of the 2019 fiscal year...

14/2/2019 [E.C.]

The branch office has executed various tasks—integrating both its regular operational duties and voluntary initiatives—aimed at safeguarding public health, enhancing community access to health services, and providing support to vulnerable individuals.

Key activities prioritized by the office during this quarter include:

• Through a voluntary program, the office coordinated with 15 private clinics to provide free medical and diagnostic services to 294 residents of the sub-city. This initiative delivered services—including diagnostics and medication—valued at over 458,000 Birr, entirely free of charge.

• As part of the institution’s regulatory and inspection activities, expired and spoiled food and beverage products—which posed a risk to public health and had an estimated value exceeding 153,000 Birr—were seized and subsequently disposed of.

• Additionally, prior to the commencement of the 2019 academic year, comprehensive inspections were conducted at 23 public schools that provide meal services to students. Furthermore, health awareness training was provided to 94 mothers engaged in the student school-feeding program.

•   Regarding the prevention and control of tobacco and drug use, 65 high-risk locations were identified, where awareness-raising and regulatory activities were carried out.

Moving forward, the branch office will focus its efforts on the following areas: actively engaging regulatory forums in each *woreda* (district) to monitor the illegal distribution of food, health products, and medicines that could harm public health; raising community awareness; strengthening successful initiatives already underway; effectively executing remaining planned activities; resolving good governance challenges in collaboration with relevant stakeholders; preventing corruption and malpractice; and working closely with the community.