The 16th Annual Review Meeting (ARM) of the Health Sector Development Programme was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health, 15-17 October, in Dire Dawa under the theme "Crossing the finish line and envisioning beyond: Towards equitable and better quality health services in Ethiopia". The annual meeting brought together over 800 participants from the Ministry of Health, regional health bureaus, hospitals, universities, professional associations, civil society organizations, as well as UN agencies, and other health development partners to envision the future of the health sector in Ethiopia.

Dr Kesetebirhan Admasu, Minister of Health, said at the meeting that the previous year was a decisive year for the achievement of the health related Millennium Development Goals in Ethiopia. The achievement of MDG 4 on child mortality two years ahead of target and the good progress towards achieving MDG 5 on maternal mortality and MDG 6 on HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria, show that the country is nearing the MDG finish line. 

"The achievements are due to sustained national leadership and commitment, country ownership and the will to implement proven interventions at national scale in the context of partnership for change," said Dr Pierre M'Pele-Kilebou, WHO Representative to Ethiopia and co-chair of the Health, Population and Nutrition (HPN) partners' group at the closing of the 16th ARM. 

Acknowledging the commitment of the women leaders of the Health Extension Programme and the Health Development Army, Dr M'Pele-Kilebou expressed the health development partners’ will to continue working together with the Federal Ministry of Health to bring Ethiopia across the MDG and GTP (Growth and Transformation Plan) finish line to a transformed health service where everyone has access to the high quality healthcare they need and deserve.

On 14 October, prior to the opening of the 16th ARM, the participants visited health facilities in Dire Dawa, Harari, Oromia and Somali regions. The WHO delegation, led by Dr Pierre M'Pele-Kilebou, WHO Representative to Ethiopia, visited Erer Health Centre and Aomer Health Post, close to Harar Town, where they met highly committed health workers dedicated to improving the health services for their community.

The annual meeting concluded with the Federal Ministry of Health honouring ten outstanding woreda (district) health offices, ten health centres and four regional health bureaus for their contributions and achievements in 2013/14. Dr Kesetebirhan Admasu, Minister of Health, encouraged all present to continue working in the spirit of partnership and healthy competition to maintain the good progress achieved so far. 

The Minister of Health and the Regional Health Bureau Heads also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the core plan and areas of focus, which will serve as a roadmap to achieve the joint targets of the upcoming year 2014/15.

For more information, please contact: Viivi Erkkila, Communication, Partnership and Resource Mobilization Officer, WHO Ethiopia; Email: erkkilav [at] who.int (erkkilav[at]who[dot]int)

Photos: WHO Ethiopia/ Viivi Erkkila