Abstract:
The objective of this study was to explore how selected sub-national (provincial) primary healthcare units in Ethiopia responded to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and what impact these measures had on essential health services.
Background:
National-level responses against the spread of COVID-19 and its consequences are well studied. However, data on capacities and challenges of sub-national health systems in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on essential health services are limited. In countries with decentralized health systems like Ethiopia, a study of COVID-19 impacts on essential health services could inform government bodies, partners, and providers to strengthen the response against the pandemic and document lessons learned.