Ethiopia News

WHO applauds Parliament and Ministry of Health for championing legislative reforms on health taxes
 

Adama, Ethiopia | June 2025

Addis Ababa – To address gaps in sexual and reproductive healthcare access,

In a significant effort to enhance health emergency preparedness and response in Ethiopia and the surrounding region, the Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) have launched an advocacy initiative for the establishment of a Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) Center of Excellence. This initiative was unveiled during a high-level panel discussion in Addis Ababa, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).

From May 2 to 3, 2025, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) organized a meeting with the technical and financial support of the World Health Organization (WHO) through the Pandemic Fund. Over 80 participants attended, including representatives from federal ministries, regional public health institutes, sentinel hospitals, academic institutions, and international partners. The purpose of the meeting was to review the achievements and challenges faced during the 2024 implementation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance.

Emergency preparedness and response are critical for global health security in an era of increasing public health threats. From pandemics to natural disasters, African nations face complex health emergencies requiring swift and coordinated responses. Recognizing the urgency of strengthening health security, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, and Dr. Abdou Salam, WHO Regional Emergency Director, conducted a high-level mission to Ethiopia from March 13 to 14, 2025.

Ethiopia has endured multiple humanitarian situations recently, from conflict and displacement to disease outbreaks and climate shocks. These challenges have created a prolonged humanitarian situation, leaving over a million people displaced or in returnee status and straining access to essential health services.

Since late September 2024, the Afar region of Ethiopia—particularly Awash Fentale and Dulecha woredas in Zone 3—has experienced a significant increase in seismic activity. The situation reached a peak in December and intensified again in early 2025, with up to 14 earthquakes recorded in a single day, including a magnitude 5.8 tremor. The tremors, ranging from 4.4 to 6.0 on the Richter scale, have continued to shake communities across Afar and parts of Oromia, severely impacting lives, livelihoods, and essential services.

The Gambella region has successfully concluded a comprehensive Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaign, marking a critical milestone in the ongoing fight against the cholera outbreak that has impacted multiple districts.

Launched at the end of March, the campaign aimed to reach more than 990 communities, with strong coordination between federal and regional health authorities.

Disruptions to health systems, particularly in crisis-affected settings, significantly hinder access to essential health services. These challenges are compounded when decision-makers lack timely, accurate, and actionable data to assess needs and allocate resources effectively. The Health Resources and Services Availability Monitoring System (HeRAMS)—a World Health Organization (WHO) led initiative—addresses this critical gap by providing dynamic, real-time information on the availability and functionality of health services and infrastructure.