In response to the cholera outbreak in Ethiopia, the World Health Organization (WHO) has established 17 standard cholera treatment centers across the country. With a capacity of 718 beds, these centers are equipped with essential medical facilities and play a crucial role in enhancing the availability, accessibility, and quality of patient care for cholera treatment. The WHO emphasized the life-saving impact of this initiative, ensuring that affected individuals receive rapid and effective care.

These treatment centers are self-contained medical facilities with designated areas for screening, triage, observation, admission, recovery, waste disposal, laundry, chlorine preparation, kitchen, and morgue, among other essential functions. Additionally, the WHO has distributed printed standard case management and follow-up protocols at these centers.

As of January 30, the cholera outbreak in Ethiopia has resulted in 468 deaths, with 32,548 reported cases. UN agencies and humanitarian partners are urging durable solutions to address the root causes of recurrent cholera outbreaks in the country, including issues related to poor-quality drinking water and open defecation. The establishment of these treatment centers is a crucial step in the collective effort to combat and manage the ongoing cholera crisis in Ethiopia.