ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a review of the state of the present health sector infrastructure and pattern of health services, health service resources, problems facing the health sector in Ethiopia, and the general public health policy environment. The government's ongoing healthcare financing reform plans to put in place tougher legal measures to cut down on user fee exemptions. The government plays a major role in directly providing healthcare, in establishing and maintaining facilities, and in employing health professionals. The Derg regime's health policy put greater emphasis on healthcare, 'rural health services, prevention and control of common diseases, self-reliance, and community participation in health activities'. The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front government that replaced the Derg regime in 1991 issued a document in 1995 that laid out its own healthcare strategy for the country. Ethiopian traditional medicines utilize growing plants, holy water, minerals, herbs, roots, grains, spices, oil seeds, butter, blood, fat, cow-dung, urine, prayers, and magic.
