Ethiopia News

Ethiopia has taken a significant step in strengthening its public health emergency response capacity with the successful completion of the 3rd cohort African Volunteers Health Corps - Strengthening and Utilizing Response Groups for Emergencies Corps (AVoHC-SURGE) Onboarding Training in Adama city 13th January to 13th February 2025.

Ethiopia has reaffirmed its commitment to global health security by submitting its annual health security assessment, known as the State Party Self-Assessment Annual Report (SPAR), to the World Health Assembly (WHA). This mandatory report, required under Article 54 of the International Health Regulations (IHR), evaluates the country's capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health risks.

The Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) and the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization Ethiopia country office and other key partners, has officially launched the 7th Edition of the Ethiopian Essential Medicines List (EML). This milestone underscores Ethiopia’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to safe, effective, and quality-assured medicines for all.

Gambella, Ethiopia – The World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified its response efforts to combat a cholera outbreak in Ethiopia’s Gambella region, which has infected more than 1,200 people. The outbreak, first detected in Akobo Woreda on February 11, has since spread to eight woredas and four refugee camps. 

The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), with funding from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), recently concluded Training of Trainers (TOT) to advance Ethiopia’s Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) through digital innovation.

Bugna woreda, Amhara region, located in Ethiopia’s North Zone, has faced significant challenges due to prolonged conflict, drought, and food insecurity. Home to over 100,000 residents, endured over a year without access to essential commodities, medical supplies, and support, leaving its population in a dire state.  The conflict's impact was devastating, with farmers unable to access fertilizer for the 2024 farming season, exacerbating food insecurity in an area already grappling with drought.

The Ethiopian Public Health Institute with support from World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a national training of trainers on the electronic surveillance (eSURV) Companion App from November 18-22, 2024 in Adama, Oromia region, enhancing the capacity of 40 Health Workers (HWs) for the deployment of the Companion App. As part of strengthening the surveillance system, eSurveillance helps to facilitate public health surveillance functions of prevention, prediction, detection and response for any acute public health event. 

The Ministry of Health of Ethiopia in its effort to prevent cervical cancer and ensure a healthier population conducted the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign nationwide with support from Gavi the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) reaching over 6.8 million Multi-Age Cohort (MAC) 9-14 years girls. The nationwide HPV (MAC) single-dose vaccination was launched on 18 November 2024 by H.E. Dr Mekdes Daba, Health Minister to Ethiopia, and graced by representatives from Gavi, WHO, UNICEF, and other immunization partners.

In collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to make strides in fostering safe and respectful workplaces across Ethiopia's health sector. A recent milestone in this endeavor was a one-day training workshop on Preventing and Responding to Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PRSEAH), held on October 28, 2024, in Adama, Ethiopia. This workshop, supported technically and financially by WHO, underscores a shared commitment to establishing zero tolerance for SEAH in federal health institutions. 

Adama, Ethiopia – A two-day workshop on advancing disability-inclusive health services in Ethiopia concluded successfully in Adama City, marking a significant step toward promoting health equity for persons with disabilities. 

Organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MOH) and Humanity and Inclusion (HI), the event brought together stakeholders from across the health and social affairs sectors.