Authorities in Ethiopia have detained 13 Canadian healthcare workers and volunteers, alleging the group were improperly practising medicine in the country. The Guardian reports that Canadian Humanitarian, a non-profit organisation based in the province of Alberta, confirmed the detentions but denied allegations it had distributed expired medication or was offering medical services without prior approval.
“The care they provide in Ethiopia is the same care they would provide here in Canada. We are vigorously defending the actions and decisions of our team knowing that every decision was made by highly trained and certified Canadian medical professionals and that their mission on this trip was to provide essential medical care to the citizens of Ethiopia who need it most,” Canadian Humanitarian said in on its site.
The report says Global Affairs Canada has confirmed it is aware of the detentions and that consular officials have been in contact with the Ethiopian government. The group were travelling in the mountainous northern city of Gondar when they were detained. In addition to 10 volunteers, three Canadian staff members and two local employees were taken into custody.
[link url="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/mar/02/ethiopia-detains-13-canadians-accused-improperly-practising-medicine?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other"]Full report in The Guardian[/link]