Private healthcare service providers can now provide treatment to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) patients, according to a mandatory manual drafted by the Ministry of Health.

The manual, already in use at two private hospitals, is for healthcare service providers that have been given temporary licences to treat COVID-19 patients. It sets a fixed price and is applicable for primary and general hospitals, laboratories, home-based healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies.

This came following a directive issued by the Council of Ministers that loosens some provisions in the State of Emergency and allows private healthcare providers, which make up 27pc of the country's health facilities, to engage in treating COVID-19 patients.

Private healthcare providers are expected to ease the current pressure on the government by treating COVID-19 patients, according to Yakob Seman, director-general of medical services at the Ministry of Health. As of August 8, Ethiopia has reported a total of 22,253 cases with a total death toll of 390.

The fixed prices, set by the Ministry, are for private isolation beds, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds, psychosocial support and a number of other medical services.

"We've made an estimate cost for providing the care based on our experience as the primary treatment providers in Ethiopia," he said.

Regional health bureaus and city administrations are tasked with auditing private healthcare providers to ensure their adherence to these fixed prices. Hospitals will provide treatment for patients with mild to critical symptoms, while home-based healthcare providers will track asymptomatic patients and patients with mild symptoms who prefer to receive home care, according to the guideline.

Interested healthcare providers must make a formal request to the Ministry and then their respective regional or city Food & Drug Administration office will grant a permit to the healthcare providers upon inspection. The inspection involves ensuring the separation of treatment facilities for COVID-19 cases from other treatment centres including the laboratories and pharmacies.