THE LION OF JUDAH ROARS 

His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I 
  speaks on  Health

Public Health

... We have devoted particular attention to the material and physical well-being of Our people through a programme for public health. Today, We are opening and dedicating to the memory of Our regretted and well-beloved daughter, the Princess Tsahai Memorial Hospital which will not only provide for the treatment of mothers and children but will, also, constitute the first centre of medical instruction and training in Ethiopia...
November 3rd 1951

... The raising of Our country's standards of public health occupies an important and prominent place in the plans We have prepared for the peaceful growth and development of Our nation. To improve conditions of life is by itself to benefit present and future generations, and however high the cost, this work must be accomplished. Agreements have been executed with the International Co-operation Administration for the furnishing of aid to assist Our efforts in this direction. We long ago determined that, with the help of Our people, no one in Ethiopia would lack adequate medical treatment because of his inability to pay for it, and a plan to implement the goal has already been prepared. ...
November 9th 1957

... Much has been achieved in the field of public health which is of equal rank with education in assuring the welfare of Our people, and much more is planned for the future. Discussions held with the Government of the United States of America and the World Health Organisation, a Specialised Agency of the United Nations, have resulted in the conclusion of an agreement whereby malaria-infested areas of Our country, which today, despite their richness and fertility, remain uninhabited by man or beast, will be rid of this plague and will once more become available to Our economy. Many of these areas, if freed from malaria, can be irrigated and thus make an immeasurable contribution to the growth of Our economy...
November 2nd 1958

... The increase in the number of our doctors has enabled Us to open new clinics and to achieve advances in the execution of Our public health programme. The successful pursuit, during the past year, of the anti-malaria campaign stands as a tribute to the devotion and co-operation of experts from the Ethiopian Government, the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, and the United States Operations Mission to Ethiopia. We have also, to this end, established within the Ministry of Public Health an autonomous agency under the Order for the particular purpose of the eradication of malaria.
The past year has brought, also, a challenge to Our energies and resourcefulness in meeting the severe conditions in Tigre, Eritrea and the Ogaden, resulting from locust invasions and lack of rainfall. We, Our Government, and Our people have contributed to relieve the suffering of Our subjects in these regions. The United Nations Children's Fund has contributed powdered milk, the Government of the United States of America, the Soviet Red Cross and Red Crescent, thousands of tons of cereals, and the people of Sweden, medicines and other medical aid. We, in this adversity, are deeply grateful for such exemplary manifestation of the brotherhood of man. It is hoped that greater and more efficient measures of control of the locust infestations in the Middle East may serve to remove a scourge which, from time to time has plagued Our peoples. On Our part, We have ordered the purchase of specially-equipped planes for the combatting of this destructive pestilence ...
November 3rd 1959

... Just as education assures the development and well-being of man, so must man's body be free from the scourge and ravages of illness and disease, and in the field of public health, praiseworthy advances have been made in the expansion of the public health facilities throughout Our Empire. Modern health centres have recently been established in a number of the larger towns, and several dozen clinics are being organised which will serve in smaller centres in the alleviation of disease. A modern and efficient Provincial Health Administration is being established in implementation of the health tax promulgated by Us and approved by Our Parliament to provide for the most efficient and effective administration of the revenue derived from this tax. Ethiopia is co-operating in the world-wide drive that is underway to eliminate malaria from the earth, and effective measures are being taken to this end following decisions reached at the World Health Organisation's Malaria Conference held in Addis Ababa in November of last year ...
November 2nd 1960

... Efforts for the alleviation of suffering and disease are advancing satisfactorily. Endemic diseases whish have sapped the strength and will of so many of Our people for untold years are slowly yielding to the assaults mounted against them, and these efforts will continue unabated until they have achieved complete and permanent success. New clinics and hospitals have been opened, and today Our nation disposes of more medical facilities that ever before in its history. ...
November 21st 1963

Dejazmatch Balcha Hospital

It has given Us great pleasure to be present here at this hospital named after one of Our National heroes Dejazmatch Balcha, on the occasion of the Commemoration of its first decade devoted to the fruitful cause of helping the sick and preserving the health of Our people.

It is a fact that the very word "hospital" is a symbol of memorial to the sacrifice made by man for the well-being of his fellow-men. This humanitarian and charitable task of helping the ailing and infirm, of keeping men and women in good health that they may properly fulfill their civic duties, is indeed a sacred duty of substantial value to mankind, going beyond all national barriers, beyond all narrow affinities of race and religion. 

It is indeed as a result of this that medical science, springing out of the love of man for his fellow-men and out of sympathy for his suffering, has been universally accepted as having no boundaries nor biases.

Indeed, We can hardly think of a better means to secure mutual understanding and cultural co-operation among the peoples of the world, than to labour selflessly and lovingly in the field of medical service for the relief of those who stand in great need of such aid. 

The activities of this hospital, during the past ten years of its existence in general, and specifically its pursuit of service in the noble tradition of Soviet Medicine, and its desire to help Ethiopia in the spirit of co-operation and friendship, have indeed borne fruit in a manner that is pleasing to Us.

We can never forget the great help rendered to Our country by the Russian Red Cross Society during the hard and perilous times of 1896 and by the medical mission in 1897, during the reign of His Majesty the Emperor Menelik II. That timely aid will gratefully be remembered for ever. 

We wish to express Our thanks for the greetings of the more than 24 million members of the Red Cross Society of the Soviet Union, conveyed to Us through their distinguished Vice-President, and We would be very pleased if Our own greetings with the expression of Our admiration, as well as Our good wishes be conveyed to the great people of the Soviet Union. 

We wish to thank the doctors and assistants and the members of the nursing and administrative staff, of the Dejazmatch Balcha Hospital, for the medical aid that they have rendered in the spirit of kindness and love to the sick who have come to this Hospital in search for such help that the Red Cross Society of the Soviet Union has given in the form of modern medical equipment, in order to develop and perfect the facilities of this hospital.

We would like to state on this occasion that this hospital will continue to enjoy Our help and interest as it has in the years of the past. 

October 26th 1957

Tenth Anniversary of the World Health Organisation

On this auspicious occasion of the celebration of the Tenth Anniversary of the establishment of the World Health Organisation in most countries of the world, it is fitting and proper to bear in mind the lofty ideals of the Organisation as set forth in the Preamble to its Constitution.

The purpose of the Organisation is, in essence, the securing of the "highest attainable standard of health" to every human being "without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social position." As we all know, disease is one of the deadliest enemies of mankind. But, thanks to the progress achieved in the field of medical science during this century, man is now no longer a defenceless victim against all types of disease. Today we have a World Health Organisation to co-ordinate the knowledge accruing from medical science that has been inherited from individuals such as Louis Pasteur, Sir Alexander Fleming and Konrad Roentgen, who have devoted their lives to free mankind from the scourge of disease. The Organisation assists member countries in planning and organising their health programmes, and thus helps to bring the benefits of medical science to those who suffer from disease. This is not only of inestimable value to the individual countries to which the Organisation extends advisory, technical and material, assistance, but also to the entire world at large -- for in this age of swift travel facilities, it is evident that our world has contracted in its relative geographic position and, consequently, the outbreak of a contagious disease in one country is a danger to the rest of the world. Hence the necessity for every country to enforce international health regulations as prescribed by the World Health Organisation. 

W.H.O. Co-operates

We are happy to state that the World Health Organisation has co-operated with Our Ministry of Public Health in planning and organising a number of important public health projects in Our Empire and in granting scholarships and fellowships to enable Ethiopians to pursue specialised studies in the general field of medicine and public health. Some of these young men and women, who have benefited  by the grants are already rendering valuable service in our Empire. Furthermore, Our Ministry of Public Health has an extensive health programme which is to be realised with the co-operation of World Health Organisation specialists in Ethiopia. We are confident that the co-operation of the Organisation with Our Government will grow and become even more fruitful in the years that lie ahead. 

In as much as the United Nations Organisation is vital in matters of world peace and international understanding, so its Specialised Agencies are likewise indispensable to the cause of international well-being in that they endeavour to resolve the economic, social and humanitarian problems of the international community. In this respect, the role played by the World Health Organisation has been of considerable humanitarian value. It is, therefore, appropriate that, as the World Health Organisation celebrates its Tenth Anniversary, we should all join in renewing our faith in the Organisation and in pledging our unwavering moral and material support in its universal fight against disease -- the common enemy of mankind.

April 7th 1958

Opens Ethio-Swedish Clinic

On this day, when We inaugurate the Ethio-Swedish Pediatric Clinic, it is a source of great pleasure to find in our midst His Royal Highness Prince Bertil, Duke of Holland, who has made a long and arduous journey to be among us on this memorable occasion. We take this opportunity to express Our thanks to His Royal Highness and through him to the Government and people of Sweden who have made possible this clinic which stands a s a living testimony between the two nations and their peoples. 

This clinic is devoted to the preservation and protection of the health and well-being of infants and young children -- those too young, too frail to help themselves. Our Lord Jesus Christ said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me," and surely no endeavour of mankind's can more confidently count upon the benevolent blessing of Our Father in Heaven than that which has found expression in this building and the purposes to which it is dedicated. We would that more of man's efforts and energies were today directed to equally noble ends.

It is fitting that this clinic has been built through the joint efforts of Ethiopia and Sweden, both equally dedicated to the establishment of those conditions which will enable the young of the world to grow to full maturity in happiness, good health and security. As His Royal Highness has so aptly suggested, the example which Ethiopia and Sweden set today, if only emulated throughout the world, would do much to dispel and dissipate the problems and difficulties mankind is encountering in its arduous passage through the Twentieth Century. 

Our concern for all of Our people, and particularly for the young and those in need, has found expression in the educational and public health programmes which We have inaugurated throughout Our Empire. In Our endeavours, We have been aided by unselfish and high-minded men, and today, as this clinic is officially inaugurated, We extend Our thanks to His Excellency the Minister of Sweden, Mr Bratt, to Dr Mannheimer and to all whose labours have combined to assure that this institution will make its full contribution to the welfare of Our people. We have not failed to note, during the few months which it has been in operation, the praiseworthy results already achieved, and We are pleased to inaugurate it as a distinguished addition to the health facilities of Our nation and an institution well-fitted to stand beside the Hospital dedicated to the memory of Our beloved daughter, Princess Tsahai Haile Selassie, who devoted her life to the care of children.

December 2nd 1959

Dedication of the Prince Makonnen Hospital

It was Our preoccupation that Our son, Prince Makonnen, after he had reached his maturity, would have lived to dedicate his life to the service of Our people.

The Ethiopian people will pursue the responsibility of seeing this project completed.

It is a truism that man is mortal, but his achievements during his brief sojourn are vital both for the history he leaves behind him and the benefits derived therefrom by posterity.

This is illustrated by the fact that we are able to meet the demands of our time primarily because our ancestors, besides transmitting to us the benefits of tradition, had shed their blood to safeguard the independence and territorial integrity of our nation.

In this era modern methods, thoughts and ideas have superseded the old ways; but because of our tradition we have been able to move with the rhythm of the times and still maintain our sense of proportion. Although much has been devoted to attain the harmonious wedding of the old and the new in a manner acceptable to all -- the old, the young and future generations -- much still remains to be accomplished. Who would not be pleased to see his baby born as a five or ten years old youngster? But this is contrary to nature's plan.

That the results of our consuming efforts for the prosperity of Ethiopia and the improvement of the standard of Our people should be five or ten times greater would afford Us the greatest satisfaction. Since, however, progress must proceed by stages, it is with a great degree of gratification that We witness the standard of growth and development made by Our people.

It is a mark of pride that we can recall today some of the many sacrifices made in the interest and general welfare of Our people. Hence, when they decided to dedicate a monument in Our honour as a gesture of their love for Us We proposed instead the establishment of a University, and, subsequently, laid the cornerstone for that institution on this site.

Monument to Posterity

We later bestowed for the youth of Ethiopia the property inherited from Our father for that project, so that, in conjunction with the contribution made by Our people this will facilitate the establishment of the University which will live for posterity as a monument both in Our name and in theirs.

It was Our preoccupation that Our son, Prince Makonnen, after he had reached his maturity, would have lived to dedicate his life to the service of Our people. But since God's reasoning differs from that of man, he died prematurely. Not content to share, as they have done so equally, in Our's and his Mother's grief, the people of their own free will have donated the money for the erection of a Memorial Hospital in the Duke's honour.

As Kantiba Zewde Gabre Hiwot has explained, a substantial part of the contributions has come equally from foreign friends of Ethiopia, a fact that illustrates the love that the Ethiopian people has won abroad.

Man, during his lifetime, is usually absorbed with the problems of his existence, in which both the material and spiritual phases complement each other. We have extended much effort in building the moral strength of our people which, with God's help is succeeding. 

Even though We dedicate this hospital to Prince Makonnen, it is the people of Ethiopia that will benefit from its services -- those who have contributed and those who have not. We cherish the hope that whether We are present or not the Ethiopian people will pursue the responsibility of seeing this project completed.

We thank the Board for what you have done. Continue in your effort with the same earnestness. It is only with God's will that man can reach his ends. May He continue to bestow His assistance for the accomplishment of his Memorial Hospital.

We express Our gratitude to Our entire people and to those foreign friends who have contributed so generously to this welfare fund.

November 8th 1961

Lays Cornerstone of Police Hospital

Once he comes into the world, it is essential that man be bred properly to guarantee a healthy life. When his childhood passes away, he is apt to lag behind his peers unless he educated himself and expands the scope of his intellect.

Though We are not at a stage where We can say We have attained enough, the progress made in education as in the health services has continued to satisfy Us.

Whilst We are here to lay the cornerstone, it would have pleased Us all the more today had We beheld a functioning hospital assisting patients. 

Since man proposes and God disposes, it is Our intense hoe that through God's help, its inauguration will take place soon.

We have stated time and again the tasks and mission of the police. It is necessary that the police have a proven fidelity for the people both in time of peace and stress and also an adequate power not only to attack but also to help those attacked. To assume power, it is necessary to have a foundation for the protection of one's health and mental condition. These are inseparable. 

Since the policeman at all time is ready to make a self-sacrifice and doubts cannot be thrown at his sincerity, his force should not be swerving; it should be firm.

Therefore, it is this that is the basis of Our concern for his education, medical and health services.

From what We gathered from your statement, there are some who will go abroad for medical studies and some two hundred are already serving as dressers. Our hope is high that this number will grow by four or five times.

Unless a man becomes independent in his knowledge and capacity, what help he gets from others is little. But if he is self-dependent, he may be able to extend help to others.

When you are qualified as medical officers and if not only men but also women are made to participate in the service, that would be the first stage for self-dependence.

In laying the cornerstone of this hospital it is Our prayer that the Almighty will spare us to have the opportunity to participate in its inauguration, and that its medical and health services will benefit Our Police Force.

November 23rd 1961

Fifteenth Anniversary of Dej. Balcha Hospital

Good health being one of man's priceless possessions, We have continually stressed the importance of this conditions together with the many elements of progress designed for the general welfare of Our people.

Our Health Programme has prospered and expanded considerably; but there is still much to be accomplished, and every effort in this direction is therefore commendable/

We are happy to be present, therefore, on this XV Anniversary of the Founding of the Dejazmatch Balcha Hospital, an occasion which manifests a concrete example of helpful co-operation between Ethiopia and a friendly nation. This hospital, which was established by Us in 1947, is the continuation of assistance given by the Soviet people that has its origin over half a century ago.

The Ethiopian people were grateful then and are still grateful for the assistance given for this noble and humane activity. The work carried on here, in which the Union of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of the Soviet Union co-operate so effectively with Our Ministry of Public Health, is a concerted translation of the traditional friendship existing between the two countries.

As reported by Professor Gorbadei, the Director of this hospital, it is of particular significance that the Ethiopian personnel are being trained as close assistants to the Soviet doctors in order to raise their medical ability. No better work can be done by a professional person than to help his fellowmen through his knowledge and skill.

We hope that those trained in this hospital will acquire sufficient ability to help their compatriots in all fields of medicine.

Deserving of mention is the summary of the results of the medical and pathological investigations published by the Dejazmatch Balcha Hospital on this XV anniversary.

We do not wish this occasion to pass without mentioning the generous donation made by the Soviet Government to the memorial Hospital of Our Beloved son Prince Makonnen Haile Selassie in prompt fulfillment of the promise made to Us.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Soviet Red Crescent Society for the genuine help given to the Ethiopian Red Cross Society which is headed by Our beloved son Crown Prince Asfaw Wossen, as its President.

We thank the representative of the Executive Committee of the Union of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of the U.S.S.R., the Director and staff of the hospital, Your Excellency the Ambassador, and all those who have or who are now contributing to the success of this institution, dedicated to cater to the medical and surgical needs of its patients. Our greetings are extended personally to Professor Miterev, Chairman of the Society, and to the great Soviet People We send Our best wishes for peace and prosperity.

November 1st 1962

Opens Gandhi Hospital

Statistical data testify to the fact that our womenfolk suffer from diseases and complications that arise out of ignorance and lack of ante-natal care and maternity facilities.

Today, when we open this hospital for gynaecology and obstetrics which is run by our Foundation, we are happy not only because we note with satisfaction that mothers have a well equipped hospital, but also because the hospital which the Indian Community had presented to Us on the 25th anniversary of Our Coronation which We in return dedicated to the memory of the greatness of Mahatma Gandhi, who is marvelled for his dedication and sacrifice the world over, and named after him has now reached this stage.

When we express our concern about the medical care of our people one of the main aspects is ante-natal and post-natal care.

Since the responsibilities involved in a hospital of this nature are great, all of you who have been selected to serve here have to live up to these responsibilities.

We wish to remind you midwives and other nurses, to be aware of the fact that you are given to the patients to serve them willingly, patiently and with devotion.

A modern building with all its physical facilities alone is not enough to cure patients, and you should not forget that your will to serve and your smiling faces act as tonics that contribute towards the recovery of the patient.

It gives us great pleasure to se that a ward has been dedicated to the memory of Woizero Mentwab Desta, from whom we had inherited some land which we gave over to the Foundation.

We thank all those who kindly donated medical instruments and other equipment for the hospital.

December 5th 1963

Inaugurates St. Mary's Hospital

... We take immense pleasure in inaugurating the St. Mary's Hospital today, erected in Axum which is the heartland and source of Ethiopia's great cultural heritage. We are happy about the presence of H.M. King Olav V here on this occasion.

When We authorised the Foundation bearing Our name to build and administer this hospital, it was with the object not only of extending medical services to citizens in and around Axum but also that the institution would serve as a centre from which can emanate newer ideas and services in the areas of community development and social welfare. 

For that reason, We urge you doctors and personnel engaged in this hospital to serve those coming to your care with devotion, tolerance and exemplary goodwill.

January 14th 1966

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