Ethiopia sets deposit requirements for overseas medical referrals

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health has introduced financial and clinical requirements for patients seeking authorization to obtain medical treatment abroad, including higher deposit thresholds for transplant procedures.

Under the “Abroad Medical Service Referral System Implementation” directive authorized by Health Minister Mekdes Daba, patients seeking overseas care must show at least 500,000 birr in bank deposits. Those seeking transplant treatment must demonstrate deposits of at least 1.5 million birr.

Authorization is limited to cases that Ethiopia’s health system cannot adequately handle because of unavailable diagnostic equipment or specialists, excessive waiting times, or circumstances in which sending biological samples abroad is not practical. Patients travelling for follow-up treatment may also qualify.

Applicants must first receive certification from a hospital medical board confirming that overseas treatment is necessary. The directive says the board should consist of three to five medical professionals. For transplants, applicants must also submit documentation of a formal agreement between the donor and recipient and evidence concerning the competence of the practitioner expected to perform the procedure.

The medical board may approve one attendant to accompany a patient, or two in specified circumstances. Foreign referral certificates will generally be issued by comprehensive or higher-tier hospitals, although general hospitals may be allowed to issue them in special cases.