Impact of the war on the health care facilities in Ethiopia: The case of a primary hospital in Tigray

Background The war on Tigray which erupted as an operation by the Ethiopian Federal Government Forces and its allies turned out to be a pogrom causing to an innumerable devastation of the health sector. The evidence of qualitative research on the devastations of the healthcare facilities is scanty. Objective This study aimed to explore the impact of the war of a Primary Hospital at woreda Gulo Mekheda, located in Eastern zone of Tigray. Methods Focus group discussion and key informant interview was conducted with staff of the primary hospital and key informants. Videos and photos showing the primary hospital’s status of prewar and war period was collected. A third instrument observation was used in order to verify the accounts of the interviewees as well as document specific damages on the compound, buildings and high tech medical equipment. Results Before the war, initiated the idea of having a hospital at Fatsi was seen as good evidence of the desire and commitment of the Tigrayan Diaspora. Increased coverage of essential health services to the catchment population was affirmed. During the war, the primary hospital was turned into a military camp of the incoming forces, signboard of the main gate demolished, generator dismantled, medical equipment and supply, had been emptied, looted and destroyed. As a result, beneficiaries lost their lives. Above all, children and mothers had been seriously impacted Conclusions With its certain peculiarities, the case of the hospital at Fatsi is one that represents similar others in Tigray. Much is needed to be done to rebuild the primary hospital by humanitarian organizations. Restoration of the healthcare services at Fatsi primary hospital is expected soon.