Addis Ababa, August 26, 2026 (ENA) —The Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS) is accelerating the modernization of pharmaceutical procurement and supply-chain operations through digitalization, improved inventory management and more efficient distribution, Director General Dr. Abdulkedir Gelgelo said. The modernization efforts have earned EPSS the Gold Award at the 5th Africa Supply Chain Excellence Awards (ASCEA 2026), recognizing the Service’s reforms in digitalization, procurement and supply-chain management.   In his press briefing, Dr. Abdulkedir said the Service has been implementing focused reforms over the past four years to transform the pharmaceutical supply chain. The reforms include digitizing procurement and supply-chain operations, modernizing procurement procedures, improving inventory and distribution management, and strengthening coordination among key stakeholders. He said the reforms have significantly improved the efficiency of pharmaceutical procurement and supply operations, with processes that previously took extended periods now being completed in much shorter time. The Director General attributed the improvements to both policy measures and digital transformation, noting that EPSS was among the institutions selected to pioneer the digitalization of procurement. The Service’s integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) system now provides real-time information across key areas of the supply chain, including procurement, suppliers, receipt of products, warehouse locations, product movement, availability and expiry status. According to the Director General, the digital system is making procurement more transparent and competitive by enabling qualified suppliers from different parts of the world to participate in tenders after meeting the required regulatory, licensing and other requirements.   EPSS has also been working to modernize its warehouse and distribution systems in line with international standards, including through Kaizen and centers of excellence, he said. These efforts have improved inventory processing and enabled pharmaceutical products to move more quickly into transactions and distribution, according to the Director General. He further said the Service has strengthened last-mile delivery by increasing the direct delivery of medicines and medical supplies to health facilities, reducing reliance on major distribution points. The Director General said the reforms have contributed to improved customer satisfaction, more cost-effective operations and stronger national pharmaceutical supply capacity.

Addis Ababa, August 26, 2026 (ENA) —Federation of African Medical Students Association (FAMSA) has commended Ethiopia’s progress in the health sector, highlighting the policies and measures that are moving the country in the right direction. Yusuf Auual Yehia, President of FAMSA, made the remarks during an interview with the ENA on the sidelines of the 76th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa. He noted that the presentation by Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, particularly regarding advancements in maternal and child health, demonstrates tangible progress across the sector. He said the issues highlighted by the minister reflected ongoing efforts to improve health services and strengthen the health system’s capacity to respond to citizens’ needs. “Based on what I heard in the presentation by Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, I can say that Ethiopia is on the right track, particularly in the area of maternal and child health,” he said. He noted that sustaining the current trajectory could place Ethiopia in an advanced position compared with many African countries in healthcare. Turning to challenges facing Africa’s health systems, the president identified the shortage of health professionals as one of the major constraints facing the continent. Health sector financing is another significant challenge, he said, particularly for countries that rely heavily on external support to finance healthcare services. He explained that changes in the international environment have reduced the availability of external financing, putting additional pressure on health systems across the continent. The migration of health professionals is also a major concern, he said, noting that many health care workers are moving to Europe and North America in search of better employment opportunities. He also stressed that addressing these challenges requires African countries to strengthen their capacity to build sustainable health systems through greater investment in human resources, domestic financing and local production. In this regard, he underscored the importance of expanding vaccine, medicine and pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa, saying local production could strengthen the continent’s health security and public confidence in locally produced health products. He noted that some African communities continue to face challenges in accepting imported vaccines, adding that developing local vaccine manufacturing capacity could help increase confidence in health products produced within the continent. Local manufacturing, he said, would also generate economic benefits beyond the health sector by reducing import costs, duties, taxes and other expenses associated with importing medicines, vaccines and other health products. Africa’s large market and abundant human resources provide significant opportunities for developing pharmaceutical and other health related industries locally, he said. The president also stressed that investment in domestic production could create employment opportunities for young people, increase incomes and contribute to economic growth across the continent. He added that strengthening local production would enable African countries to reduce their dependence on external sources for strategic health products and improve their capacity to respond to future health emergencies. Cooperation among African countries and the exchange of expertise could further support efforts to strengthen health and industrial capacities and make better use of the continent’s human resources, he said. He stressed that the future of healthcare in Africa is closely linked to the continent’s ability to invest in its people, expand local production and strengthen cooperation among African countries. “Local production will be an important step for Africa in addressing the current challenges related to economic development, strengthening health systems, and many other areas,” he affirmed. According to him, building a strong African production base could generate benefits extending beyond health care by supporting economic growth, creating employment opportunities and strengthening the continent’s capacity to rely on its own resources.

Addis Ababa, August 25, 2026 (ENA) —Africa has made notable progress on key health targets even as the continent faces the deepest cuts to international health financing in a generation, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom, said. Speaking at a webinar during the 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Addis Ababa this morning, the Director-General noted that multiple countries continued advancing disease-control goals despite funding freezes that have disrupted life-saving services across the region. Some 8 countries, including Algeria, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Guinea, Kenya, Mauritius and Senegal have reached major milestones in disease elimination, according to Dr. Tedros. The Director-General also noted that more than 28 million doses of donated essential medicines were delivered, even amid financing disruptions, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) cited as an example of a country carrying the world’s largest sleeping sickness burden.   On HIV, Dr. Tedros said 21.7 million people living with the virus remain on uninterrupted treatment. Several countries, including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, have already met the 95-95-95 targets. Progress in tuberculosis care was also highlighted, with treatment coverage rising to 74 percent, compared with 52 percent in 2020. Uganda is now treating more than 90 percent of estimated TB cases. The WHO chief further credited efforts to improve vaccination coverage, saying health system improvements have enabled the catch-up of more than 18 million children who had missed vaccines. Malaria advances were also reported after the malaria vaccine rollout reached 25 countries. Additional achievements mentioned included new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination introductions in six countries, and Cabo Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles becoming the first sub-Saharan states to achieve verified measles and rubella elimination. Mental health access has also expanded with four million additional people gaining access to services, Dr. Tedros said. He also described strengthening outbreak detection and response, saying both Ethiopia’s Marburg outbreak and the DRC’s previous Ebola outbreak were contained within 90 days.   Despite the gains, the Director-General warned that Africa remains under severe pressure. Families still pay about one-third of health spending out of pocket; cholera has reached a regional record of more than 245,000 cases; and 44 of 47 countries cannot reliably record causes of death. He further pointed to ongoing maternal and child mortality, saying around 70 percent of maternal deaths and nearly half of under-five deaths worldwide occur in Africa. The Director-General said DRC is battling a major ongoing Ebola crisis—the second largest in history—with spread described as faster than in previous outbreaks. According to Dr. Tedros, WHO is scaling up the response with DRC’s government, Africa CDC and partners, while also advancing clinical trials of three vaccines and three treatments. He emphasized that Ebola is only one threat in DRC and that strengthening health systems must remain the top priority to support universal health coverage. The Director-General noted that the health system task in general has become harder because funding cuts were sudden rather than gradual, leading to clinic closures and job losses affecting HIV, TB, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, and maternal and newborn care. However, some countries are also working to expand domestic revenue, including tobacco tax reforms and increased domestic funding for HIV and TB, citing South Africa and Nigeria.   Moreover, Africa now has an opportunity to reduce dependency by building “health sovereignty,” self-reliance and solidarity, he stressed. WHO has begun preparing for funding reductions during transformation efforts launched in 2017, after identifying reliance on a limited donor base as a risk. The Director-General acknowledged that many voluntary contributions remain earmarked, creating gaps in some areas. Dr. Tedros outlined five priorities for the coming year: completing the path strategy for the pandemic agreement; approving the next assessed contribution increase at next May’s World Health Assembly; engaging in reforms to strengthen the global health architecture; supporting the Ebola response in DRC; and continuing WHO transformation toward a leaner organization focused on delivering results at country level.

Addis Ababa, August 25, 2026 (ENA) — African healthcare leaders have praised Ethiopia’s health reforms, citing its public-private partnerships, pharmaceutical manufacturing and growing healthcare capacity as lessons for Africa. In exclusive interviews with ENA, Dr Danny Mutembe, Vice Chair of the Rwanda Healthcare Federation, said Ethiopia is demonstrating a strong commitment to improving healthcare through cooperation between the government and the private sector. “What is really critical is to see how private actors are supported in providing healthcare,” Mutembe said, describing the partnership as “paramount” to strengthening the health system. He said Ethiopia’s progress, including the development of its healthcare institutions and regulatory capacity, offers lessons for other African countries, highlighting the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority as an example to emulate. Mutembe also said Ethiopia’s growing medical capacity could help reduce Africa’s dependence on treatment outside the continent. “Within the continent, we can actually learn from each other,” he said, calling for stronger cooperation among hospitals, pharmaceutical manufacturers and other health-sector actors to expand access to treatment within Africa and reduce the cost of medical travel. He further urged African countries to strengthen health cooperation and build greater self-reliance, saying the COVID-19 pandemic showed the risks of depending on external systems. “Today we have Ebola in eastern DRC. Tomorrow we’ll have another pandemic or epidemic,” Mutembe said, calling for stronger public-private collaboration across the continent. Dr Emmanuel Galla Lado, representing South Sudan’s private health sector, described Ethiopia’s health-sector progress as “incredible” and said the country is advancing rapidly. “Strength, resilience and energy,” Galla Lado said when asked what other African countries could learn from Ethiopia. “We need a lot to catch up to Ethiopia.” He also highlighted Ethiopia’s progress in pharmaceutical manufacturing, saying its growing capacity could benefit neighboring countries and help reduce the burden of traveling far for medical treatment. “For me, as a South Sudanese, I consider Ethiopia my second home,” he said. Galla Lado urged African countries to follow Ethiopia’s example and strengthen cross-border health cooperation. “I think Ethiopia is setting a very good example for all of us,” he said. “We need to cross borders, we need to help each other, and we need to grow together as nations.”

Addis Ababa, August 25, 2026 (ENA) —Africa’s next chapter in health must be driven by African ownership, stronger integration and measurable action rather than continued dependence and fragmented responses, Ethiopia’s President Taye Atske Selassie said. Addressing the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Addis Ababa, President Taye called for a continent-wide approach that puts African priorities at the center of health policy, financing and implementation. He said external support can strengthen national health objectives, but development assistance must be aligned with Africa’s priorities rather than shaped by reform agendas designed elsewhere. “We must not sit here and adapt to reforms designed elsewhere,” President Taye said. He further urged African countries instead to “shape the reform agendas” in line with their own vision.   The President outlined five priority areas that he said should guide Africa’s next health agenda, emphasizing the need to move beyond declarations and translate commitments into concrete results. First, he called for greater domestic investment in health, with African countries progressively reducing dependence on external financing and building more predictable and sustainable national health systems. The President also stressed the importance of health security and self-reliance, urging Africa to strengthen its capacity to produce medicines, vaccines and diagnostic tools. The COVID-19 pandemic, he noted, demonstrated the risks of relying heavily on external supply chains, particularly during global emergencies when access to essential health commodities can become severely constrained.   President Taye further called for stronger coordination among the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), WHO and other technical institutions, saying closer alignment of work plans would improve the delivery of coordinated support to African health systems. He also urged countries to strengthen regional emergency preparedness by investing in disease surveillance, technical expertise and rapid access to essential supplies. Africa, he said, must draw lessons from past health emergencies and institutionalize what he described as “strategic solidarity” so that countries can support one another more effectively during crises. Climate change should also be treated as a central health priority, President Taye said, calling for unified African leadership in global climate negotiations. He argued that climate resilience, stronger health systems and adequate adaptation financing must be placed at the heart of international discussions, as climate-related pressures increasingly affect public health across the continent. The President challenged African leaders to confront what he described as the “top question” facing the continent’s health sector: who sets Africa’s health agenda, who finances it and who ultimately delivers results for its people? The answer, he said, must begin with African leadership.   National governments should drive policy and investment, regional institutions should support implementation, while global organizations should provide technical expertise, coordination and assistance at scale, he said. President Taye reaffirmed Ethiopia’s readiness to advance this approach through increased national investment, regional cooperation and sustained support for African health institutions. He urged delegates to conclude the meeting with commitments linked to measurable actions, stressing that Africa’s health transformation will depend not only on the strength of its ambitions but on its ability to translate them into tangible results. He subsequently declared the WHO Regional Committee for Africa session officially open on behalf of the Government and people of Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa, August 25, 2026 (ENA) — African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf called on African countries to pursue self-reliance in health through stronger domestic financing, local production, research and innovation. Speaking at the 76th session of World Health Organization Regional Committee for Africa (RC76), which opened in Addis Ababa today, the Chairperson said that health remains central to Africa’s priorities. Health sovereignty on the continent is no longer optional, he emphasized. Youssouf pointed to ongoing and emerging challenges, including outbreaks and infectious diseases such as Ebola, cholera, Mpox, HIV, and tuberculosis, as well as the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in Africa. The Chairperson noted that the region continues to face constraints, including inadequate healthcare infrastructure, shortages of financial resources, and trained health personnel. Despite these challenges, he highlighted Africa’s strengths, citing the African Health Strategy 2016-2030, the work of continental institutions, and the national capacities being demonstrated in some member states. Efforts to develop the continent’s ability to produce treatments and vaccines are also underway, Youssouf added. He revealed that the African Union has launched its Medicines Agency to support norms, standards, and recognized approvals. Above all, member states are increasingly allocating more of their national budgets to health. The African Union will work to strengthen collective capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats in partnership with WHO, the Chairperson said, calling for a stronger African voice in global health governance. Youssouf outlined three key priorities: mobilizing more domestic financial resources for health; accelerating vaccine and treatment production capacity on the continent; and removing barriers on the African medicine market and consolidating value chains across member states. He also referenced the African Union’s current theme on water and sanitation, emphasizing the critical importance of clean, abundant water for community health. According to the Chairperson, African health sovereignty begins with effective national health systems. In this regard, he affirmed AUC’s commitment to working alongside member states and continental institutions to achieve that goal. Finally, he expressed confidence that the African Union, WHO, and partners would renew their cooperation to improve coherence, implementation, and gradual self-reliance.

Addis Ababa, August 25, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopia has registered impressive progress in expanding its health sector capacity, with the domestic market share of locally manufactured medicines and health products surging from 8 percent to 44 percent, Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba announced today. Speaking at the opening of the 76th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC76) in Addis Ababa, Mekdes highlighted the nation's strategic focus on local production and self-reliance as key pillars of national health security. "In Ethiopia, the domestic market share of local manufacturers and local medicines for health products has increased from 8 percent to current data of 44 percent," Mekdes stated, emphasizing that recent global challenges have demonstrated why nations must build independent manufacturing infrastructure. "Health security cannot rest entirely on supply chains beyond our control. Africa must increase, and is increasing, its capacity for Africans' needs." The Minister highlighted several major achievements reflecting Ethiopia's ongoing health system transformation over recent years. Maternal mortality has dropped to 141 per 100,000 live births according to recent demographic data, while under-five mortality fell from 67 to 51 per 1,000 live births since 2016. Over the same period, child wasting saw a significant decline from 10 percent down to 5 percent. Primary healthcare coverage across the nation expanded from 64 percent to 86.3 percent, supported by a growing workforce of approximately 325,000 health professionals and nearly half a million total support staff. Outpatient departments recorded over 233 million patient visits over the past year alone. In terms of financial protection, Community-Based Health Insurance now covers 91 percent of woredas across the country, providing financial coverage to more than 69 million citizens. "These are not simply numbers, but they represent mothers who survived childbirth, children who lived to celebrate their fifth birthday, communities with access to care, and a health workforce serving our people day and night," Mekdes said. Ethiopia has also made significant strides in digital health and emergency preparedness. Digital health coverage expanded through the Ethiopian Community Health Information System, now managing records for 7 million households and encompassing real-time data for over 33 million citizens. Outbreak detection capacity rose from 65 percent to 95 percent, while rapid response team coverage reached 93 percent. She further noted that the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority achieved WHO Maturity Level 3 status, reinforcing that localization remains a core health strategy rather than just an industrial policy. Calling for unified action across the continent, Mekdes urged African delegates to prioritize domestic resource mobilization, equity, and local capacity building. "Africa's health future will not be built by one country, one institution, or one technology. It will be built by our African sisters and brothers together," she concluded.

Addis Ababa, August 25, 2026 (ENA) — The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) urged African nations to transition from treating health as a recurrent social expenditure to positioning it as a strategic, productive economic investment. Speaking on behalf of ECA Executive Secretary Claver Gatete at the opening of the 76th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC76) in Addis Ababa, ECA Chief of Staff Aboubakri Diaw stressed that health must be prioritized across all government sectors. "Health is not the responsibility of one ministry alone. It is a whole-of-government priority, a foundation of Africa's economic transformation," Diaw said. Invoking the historical venue of the Adwa Victory Memorial, he highlighted that the spirit of Adwa serves as a reminder of African agency and solidarity. "Adwa is first and foremost the story of citizens who united to defend their country's sovereignty," he stated. Diaw added that: "Yet its meaning travels far beyond Ethiopia, becoming a continental symbol of African dignity, agency, and determination to shape our own future. That spirit remains relevant to our health agenda today." He outlined three major structural hurdles currently confronting sustainable health financing across the continent: severe fiscal pressures from declining external aid, high out-of-pocket health expenditures pushing millions into poverty, and an implementation gap between health strategy design and actual budget execution. To overcome these challenges, he asserted that raising funds alone is insufficient. Africa must transform how it manages its financial resources. "Africa's health sector does not suffer from only a financing gap. It also suffers from a confidence gap, and confidence, unlike capital, cannot be borrowed—it must be built," he noted. "Our analysis recognizes that the answer is not simply to raise more money. It is to collect better, pool better, purchase better, and account better." Calling for three fundamental shifts, he urged countries to create nationally owned health financing compacts and match national priorities with appropriate financial instruments. He also pointed to real-time digital tracking and data transparency as vital elements to unlock private investment and bolster accountability. Illustrating how digital transformation and artificial intelligence can enhance public finance tracking, Diaw commended Ethiopia's leadership in driving digital health solutions. "Digital health is not simply about replacing paper with screens. It is about replacing fragmentation with visibility, replacing leakage with accountability, and replacing uncertainty with trust," he emphasized. "Ethiopia can demonstrate how digital identity, interoperable health information, real-time expenditure tracking, and AI-enabled decision-making can strengthen both health outcomes and fiscal accountability." In his concluding remarks, Diaw reaffirmed ECA’s commitment to partnering with the World Health Organization (WHO), the African Union, and national governments to ensure that universal health coverage generates lasting economic stability across Africa. "Universal health coverage becomes real the day seeking care stops costing a family its future," he declared. "Health is not what we spend when Africa grows; health is how Africa grows."

Addis Ababa, August 25, 2026 (ENA) —The 76th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC76) kicked off in Addis Ababa today. The session, which is co-organized by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, will run for the next three days. President Taye Atske Selassie, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Health Minister Dr Mekdes Daba, and delegates from 47 member states of the WHO African Region, including ministers, global health leaders, development partners, donors, and WHO representatives, attended the opening session to address regional health priorities and foster continental cooperation. Participants are expected to assess progress on regional health goals, deliberate on new strategies and resolutions, and outline collective actions to strengthen health systems, advance universal health coverage, improve health security, and enhance emergency preparedness. The gathering will also highlight Ethiopia’s health system achievements, including progress in expanding essential services and containing public health emergencies. The WHO Regional Committee for Africa serves as the governing body of the regional office. It meets annually to determine regional health policy, review WHO’s work, and establish priorities for health outcomes across the continent.

Addis Ababa, August 24, 2026 (ENA) —Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has extended his congratulatory message to Muslims in Ethiopia and around the world on the occasion of Mawlid, marking the 1,501st anniversary of the birth of Prophet Muhammad. In a social media post, the Prime Minister urged Ethiopians to draw lessons of sacrifice, purpose, perseverance and unity from the life of Prophet Muhammad, describing his example as a “great lesson” for nation building. Prime Minister Abiy described the Prophet’s life as “a positive history that shapes generations. He emphasized its enduring relevance to personal conduct and national development. “The history of Prophet Muhammad is a positive history that shapes generations,” PM Abiy wrote. “Honoring the purpose, paying all sacrifices for that purpose, sharing the purpose, and living in respect of what one has been called to, these are lessons that a thousand books cannot fully capture,” he said. The Prime Minister highlighted the Prophet’s unwavering commitment to his divine mission, noting that he endured exile, hunger and conflict before ultimately triumphing “with the might of Allah.” PM Abiy drew a parallel between the Prophet’s perseverance and Ethiopia’s contemporary national challenges, urging citizens to demonstrate similar resilience and commitment. “If we believe we are called to a great national objective, the life of the Prophet will be a great lesson. Let us manifest this call through our speeches, our work, and our lifestyles,” he said. The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of sharing a common purpose and building broader understanding, recalling how the Prophet initially conveyed his message to a select group before it spread widely. “The seed he sowed blossomed, bore fruit, and flourished,” he stated. “Understanding and trusting in our purpose is not enough in and of itself; we must, like the Prophet, put in sustained effort so that others can also understand and believe.” Concluding his message, the premier encouraged Ethiopians to reflect on the Prophet’s teachings and apply their lessons to the country’s development. “As we commemorate his birth, I encourage everyone to learn from the Prophet’s life and apply those teachings to help build our country,” he noted.

Addis Ababa, August 24, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia has called on BRICS member states to establish dedicated funding mechanisms for youth enterprises and increase investment in digital and green technologies to advance youth led economic growth, according to the Ethiopian Embassy in India. The Ethiopian delegation made the call during the BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting held in Visakhapatnam, India, where the Ethiopian delegation advocated stronger youth cooperation, dedicated financing mechanisms and joint investments in digital and green technologies among BRICS members. Noting that more than 70 percent of Ethiopia’s population is under the age of 30, the delegation emphasized the role of young people as key drivers of economic growth, innovation and resilience. According to a post on social media of the Ethiopian Embassy in India, Ethiopia further highlighted key national initiatives including the revised National Youth Policy, Digital Ethiopia 2030 and the Green Legacy Initiative.   The delegation elaborated that these initiatives have engaged young people annually in efforts to address climate change while creating green employment opportunities. Ethiopia also proposed greater investment in digital literacy, green entrepreneurship and technical skills in agriculture and renewable energy to strengthen the impact of the BRICS Youth Council. The nation also called for greater use of youth leadership in conflict prevention and resilience building, alongside expanded educational and cultural exchange programs. The country further urged BRICS to establish operational mechanisms and dedicated funding for youth enterprises and strengthen cooperation between the BRICS Youth Council and organizations such as the African Union, the Embassy noted.   Ethiopia also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Council’s initiatives and translating shared objectives into concrete outcomes. The BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting was held in Visakhapatnam on August 22 under India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship. It brought together ministers and heads of delegation from the 11 BRICS member states to strengthen cooperation on youth development and empowerment. The meeting built on the outcomes of the BRICS Youth Council Meeting and BRICS Youth Summit held in Gandhinagar, India, on August 19 and 20. It concluded with the adoption of a Joint Statement aimed at strengthening youth cooperation and promoting meaningful youth participation in development.   The Joint Statement identified key areas of cooperation, including education, training and skills development, youth entrepreneurship, science, technology and innovation, health and sports, environmental sustainability, social and cultural participation, volunteering, poverty reduction and youth inclusion.

Addis Ababa, August 23, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia’s Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba has called for stronger continental cooperation and collective action to safeguard Africa’s health sovereignty and build resilient health systems. Speaking during a symbolic health walk by participants of the 76th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa (RC76) on Sunday, Dr. Mekdes said African countries must deepen unity and strengthen preventive health measures, moving beyond a predominantly curative approach. The walk was jointly flagged off by Dr. Mekdes and WHO Regional Director for Africa Prof. Mohamed Janabi, beginning at the Adwa Victory Memorial and concluding at Meskel Square, Addis Ababa. Dr. Mekdes underscored the importance of physical activity in preventing communicable and non-communicable diseases, while calling on African countries to cultivate a stronger culture of teamwork and solidarity to improve health services across the continent.   She stressed that addressing Africa’s health challenges requires translating discussions into practical, inclusive and action-oriented solutions, rather than limiting them to conference halls. “Collective action among African countries is the foundation of health sovereignty,” Dr. Mekdes said, urging countries to demonstrate solidarity and mutual support. She reaffirmed Ethiopia’s readiness to contribute to continental efforts, emphasizing that sustained cooperation is essential to advancing Africa’s health agenda. Prof. Janabi, for his part, said Africa can overcome its health challenges if its people “rise together” in unity. He described coordinated continental action as a long-term investment in Africa’s health future, stressing that the continent’s progress depends on the practical decisions made today. Referencing the historic significance of the Adwa Victory Memorial, Prof. Janabi said Africa’s collective strength lies in unity.   “If Africa stands united, there is no challenge it cannot overcome and no bright hope it cannot realize,” he said. He further emphasized that every step taken to promote healthier communities represents an investment in Africa’s future. The RC76 session in Addis Ababa is bringing African health leaders together to advance collective solutions to the continent’s pressing health challenges, with a strong emphasis on prevention, resilience, solidarity and health sovereignty.

Addis Ababa, August 23, 2026 (ENA) —Participants of the 76th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa (RC76) joined a symbolic health walk on Sunday from the Adwa Victory Memorial to Meskel Square in Addis Ababa. The participants also turned the message of “Walk the Talk” into action while promoting physical activity and healthier lifestyles across Africa. Ethiopia’s Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba, African health ministers, senior government officials, WHO leaders and prominent athletes, including Ethiopian Athletics Federation President Commander Sileshi Sihine, took part in the event. The initiative sought to translate health policies and commitments into practical action by encouraging people to make regular physical activity part of their daily lives and strengthening public awareness about the prevention of non-communicable diseases.   The walk began at the Adwa Victory Memorial, a landmark symbolizing Ethiopia’s historic victory and African resistance to colonialism, and continued through Addis Ababa’s pedestrian routes before concluding at Meskel Square. Organizers emphasized that regular physical activity plays a vital role in reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, while contributing to healthier and more active communities. The event also highlighted Africa’s collective commitment to improving public health and demonstrated the importance of moving beyond policy discussions toward tangible, everyday health practices. The 76th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa from August 24 to 28, 2026, will bring together more than 600 delegates, including health ministers and senior officials from the WHO African Region’s 47 member states, global health leaders, development partners, donors and WHO representatives.   Over the five-day session, participants will assess progress toward regional health goals, deliberate on new strategies and resolutions. The session is also anticipated to identify collective actions to strengthen health systems, advance universal health coverage, enhance health security and improve emergency preparedness across the continent. The gathering is expected to serve as a major platform for African countries and global health partners to deepen continental health cooperation and advance practical solutions to Africa’s most pressing health challenges.

Addis Ababa, August 21, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia is seeking to position Addis Ababa as a leading African hub for specialized healthcare, medical investment and regional health cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh said. Temesgen made the remarks while opening the 13th East Africa Healthcare Federation Conference and Exhibition at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa under the theme “Resilience: Building the East African Health Economy.” The conference brings together governments, health leaders, investors and development partners to advance resilient, equitable and productive health systems capable of strengthening Africa’s health security and contributing to economic growth.   In his opening address, Temesgen called for a fundamental shift in Africa’s approach to healthcare, urging greater local production, regional integration and public-private investment to build health systems. This would be vital to building a health system capable of protecting the continent’s people while driving economic prosperity, he noted. He said health resilience must go beyond recovering from crises and focus instead on building Africa’s capacity to anticipate challenges, respond independently and turn healthcare into a source of economic strength. Drawing on the legacy of Adwa, Temesgen said Africa can overcome its vulnerabilities when countries unite around common objectives and develop the capacity to act collectively. “As the lesson of Adwa reminds us, when Africans organize around a common purpose and build the capacity to act, we can change our circumstances,” he said. Temesgen said Ethiopia is committed to translating that vision into action by positioning Addis Ababa as a leading destination for specialized healthcare and medical tourism, expanding domestic production of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and diagnostics, and deepening public-private partnerships and regional cooperation. “Today, sovereignty is also the ability to protect the health of our people,” he said. He said health sovereignty means being able to care for patients without excessive dependence on distant supply chains, produce essential medicines locally, train and retain health professionals, and respond effectively to future epidemics.   The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that resilient health systems must do more than survive crises; they must serve communities, create economic opportunities and contribute to Africa’s long-term prosperity. “Resilience cannot mean simply recovering from the last crisis. It must mean preparing for the next one,” Temesgen said. “It must mean building the capacity to act for ourselves and turning health from a story of vulnerability into a source of African strength.” Temesgen also announced that the Government of Ethiopia is ready to support the establishment of the continental headquarters of the Africa Healthcare Federation in Addis Ababa, a move he said would further strengthen the capital’s role as a platform for African health investment, policy dialogue and cooperation. “We are ready to work with the Federation and the relevant institutions on the consultations, legal arrangements, and practical steps necessary to make this possible,” he said. According to Temesgen, Africa’s private health sector needs a strong continental platform close to the African Union and Africa CDC, where governments and businesses can engage continuously, connect policy with investment, scale innovation and expand African solutions into African markets.   “Addis Ababa is ready to provide that home,” he said. He said Ethiopia would continue strengthening structured engagement with the private healthcare sector, emphasizing that dialogue must translate into tangible investment projects, stronger institutions, better services, more affordable care and improved health outcomes. Temesgen also called for deeper health cooperation across East Africa, noting that diseases, supply chains and investment flows do not stop at national borders. The region, he said, needs to share markets, harmonize standards, strengthen cross-border referral systems, prepare jointly for health emergencies and develop its health workforce collectively. “This conference should help build that East Africa,” he said.

Addis Ababa, August 21, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopia’s Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba, at the regional health conference, urged for stronger regional cooperation and public-private partnerships to build resilient and self-reliant health systems across East Africa. Mekdes said health security, financing, supply chains, technology, climate change and the movement of health workers extend beyond national borders and require joint solutions. “Our challenges do not have borders, but our unity can have more than borders to bound us,” Mekdes said at the 13th East Africa Healthcare Federation Conference and International Health Exhibition in Addis Ababa. She said Ethiopia is committed to strengthening local pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing, research and development to reduce vulnerability to external supply disruptions. “The pandemic has made this lesson unmistakably clear: the region cannot afford to do it again,” Mekdes said. “We cannot afford to be closed without having medicines close to us,” the Health Minister stated. Mekdes also called for greater investment in specialized healthcare, including cardiac care, oncology, neurosurgery, child healthcare and complex surgeries. In this cause, stronger regional links can expand healthcare services and cross-border referrals, the minister said. She said Ethiopia is working to create a more predictable environment for healthcare investment while strengthening regulation and patient protection. The Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority has reached WHO Level 3 maturity, she said, calling for stronger regulatory capacity across East Africa. Ethiopia has expanded primary healthcare, infrastructure and its health workforce, while skilled birth attendance has risen to more than 64 percent, according to the latest Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. Mekdes also highlighted the expansion of digital health and telehealth. She linked health with climate, food and nutrition through a One Health approach, citing the Green Legacy Initiative and Seqota Declaration as examples of Ethiopia’s integrated development efforts. The Ministry’s Master Facility Registry has recorded more than 30,000 private health facilities, she said, creating a basis for investment and improved health-service planning. “Health is not just taken as an investment that will leak, but an investment that will return,” Mekdes said. She further stressed the government’s commitment to viewing healthcare as an investment in people and the economy. On his part, President of the East Africa Healthcare Federation and Ethiopian Healthcare Federation, Dr. Markos Feleke Haile, said the conference should translate regional dialogue into concrete action. He announced a planned private-sector demand aggregation and pooled procurement mechanism, starting in Ethiopia, to reduce procurement costs and improve the availability, quality and security of medicines and medical supplies. “We have to do it patiently, deliberately, through trust between the state, the public, the private sector, and the communities at large,” Haile said. Haile also invited the Africa Healthcare Federation to consider establishing its headquarters in Addis Ababa, citing the city’s role as a major continental diplomatic and institutional hub. The three-day conference, running from August 21 to 23, brings together more than 2,000 delegates from more than 20 countries under the theme “Resilience: Building the East African Health Economy.” It focuses on regional cooperation, healthcare investment, local manufacturing, health financing, technology and regional integration.

Addis Ababa, August 20, 2026 - UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia, Ozonnia Ojielo, has commended the Government of Ethiopia for its steadfast commitment to humanitarian action and sustainable solutions to recurring crises. Speaking at the World Humanitarian Day commemorated in Addis Ababa yesterday, he highlighted Ethiopia's efforts to expand resilience-building programs, support durable solutions for displaced populations, and advance refugee inclusion through the Makatet Roadmap. The Makatet Roadmap is Ethiopia's recent national framework that shifts policy from temporary camp relief to the socio-economic inclusion of refugees into national education, healthcare, legal documentation, and labor markets alongside host communities. It was launched in June, 2026 by the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) in partnership with the UNHCR and regional bodies. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator said Ethiopia has demonstrated what can be achieved through partnership and shared responsibility, adding that the country is showing that humanitarian action, development and peace building must go hand in hand. Ojielo appreciated humanitarian and donor partners, national and international organizations and others working with the government to ensure that life-saving assistance reaches people in need. He recognized the contribution of humanitarian workers in Ethiopia, noting that the majority are Ethiopian nationals serving their own communities, often under difficult circumstances. According to him, humanitarian workers around the world continue to face violence, insecurity and obstruction while delivering life-saving assistance to communities affected by crises. More than 1,000 aid workers, including 15 in Ethiopia, have been killed globally over the past three years. Against this backdrop, Ojielo called for a renewed shared commitment to solidarity, protection and partnership to safeguard humanitarian workers, support vulnerable communities and advance lasting solutions that uphold dignity and create opportunities for all. For his part, Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commissioner, Shiferaw Teklemariam, emphasized that protecting humanitarian workers requires strong cooperation and coordinated action among stakeholders at the community, regional and national levels, including through preventive and protective measures. He called for greater recognition and support for humanitarian frontline workers and communities, noting their role and sacrifice in efforts to save lives and livelihoods. The Commissioner said the government's commitment to protecting and supporting citizens in difficult circumstances goes beyond concern and condemnation. Ethiopian Red Cross Society Deputy Secretary-General, Dires Desyibelew, said humanitarian workers and volunteers must be able to carry out their duties safely and without fear, stressing that attacks against them ultimately harm people in crisis. He called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect humanitarian personnel and facilitate safe and unimpeded access for life-saving assistance to reach people in need. Union of Ethiopian Women and Children Associations Executive Director, Azeb Kelemework, stressed the need for stronger protection of humanitarian workers and affected communities, particularly women, children, girls, elderly people and internally displaced persons. She said local and national civil society organizations, particularly women-led organizations and organizations representing persons with disabilities, should have greater roles in humanitarian decision-making, leadership and funding, given their close links with affected communities. Azeb called on the government, donors, UN agencies and international humanitarian organizations to translate localization commitments into measurable action by increasing direct and predictable funding for local organizations, expanding their participation in humanitarian decisions and recognizing them as strategic partners. World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on August 19 to recognize humanitarian workers and honor those who have lost their lives while providing assistance in crisis situations.

Addis Ababa, August 18, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia is stepping up efforts to prevent child wasting by strengthening government leadership, increasing investment in nutrition, improving health systems and expanding community engagement, Mebratu Massebo, Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Health said. He made the remarks at the first regional review and learning meeting on child wasting that opened in Addis Ababa today. The four-day meeting has brought together representatives from 11 African countries, regional and international organizations, and development partners. Ethiopia is placing greater emphasis on preventing child wasting rather than relying solely on treatment after acute malnutrition occurs, the Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Health said. According to him, the country is strengthening early identification of nutrition risks, community-based systems and access to essential health and nutrition services and supplies. Ethiopia is also pursuing a multisectoral approach to malnutrition by bringing together ministries and institutions working in areas including agriculture, education, social protection, women's affairs and disaster risk management. Mebratu noted that food insecurity, poverty, climate-related shocks and displacement are among the factors contributing to malnutrition, requiring coordinated interventions beyond the health sector. He further said the government has increased its financial commitment to nutrition, including funding for severe acute malnutrition programs, making nutrition a major budget priority. The annual budget allocated to nutrition increased fivefold last year and by 26 percent this year, he said. WHO Representative and Head of Mission to Ethiopia, Professor Francis Chisaka Kasolo, said Africa continues to face one of the world's highest burdens of child wasting. He called for sustained political commitment, predictable financing, stronger partnerships and national systems capable of preventing wasting, identifying cases early and providing timely and quality treatment. Global Director for Child Nutrition and Development at UNICEF, Joan Matji, said more than 42 million children under five are affected by wasting worldwide. Out of these, 12 million experience life-threatening form. She said child wasting has multiple and interconnected causes, including inadequate diets and feeding practices, while conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, displacement, disease outbreaks, economic instability and climate-related shocks are further increasing children's vulnerability. Matji stressed that government leadership, effective partnerships and coordinated contributions from development partners are essential to advance efforts to prevent and treat child wasting. For his part, Ireland's Deputy Head of Mission, Fergal Ryan, said preventing acute malnutrition and wasting should be the primary objective of all. He said effective prevention requires multisectoral action involving health, social protection, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and food systems. The UN–Ireland Partnership on Child Wasting regional review is assessing three years of progress, sharing country experiences, identifying remaining gaps and setting priorities for the next phase of action. Participants are also discussing lessons learned and challenges and exploring ways to strengthen and accelerate efforts to prevent, detect and treat child wasting across Africa.

Addis Ababa, August 18, 2026 (ENA) —Greater attention should be given to the safety of patients and medical professionals when radiation technology is used for medical diagnosis, Ethiopian Technology Authority (ETA) Director-General Solomon Getachew said. The Ethiopian Technology Authority held a workshop on the use of radiation technology for medical diagnosis and related safety measures today. A study titled: “Establishment of DRL for Optimization of Radiological Doses through Evaluation of Exposure Parameters in the Case of CT Examination in Ethiopia”, was presented by the Director-General.   According to him, radiation technology is among the technologies under the ETA’s regulatory mandate and is used in Ethiopia not only in healthcare but also in various social and economic sectors. Healthcare institutions using radiation technology for medical diagnosis are monitored and regulated to ensure appropriate safety measures on imported equipment and the operation of the technology. The study found variations in radiation doses used for CT examinations from one healthcare facility to another and among professionals, Solomon said.   Such variations could cause side effects for patients and healthcare professionals. Therefore, the Director-General stressed the need to use radiation technology at appropriate dose levels for both diagnosis and treatment. Radiation doses should be carefully controlled to ensure they are neither excessive nor insufficient. In addition, there is a need to consider patients’ health and physical conditions when radiation technology is used for diagnosis and treatment, he noted. Professor Seife Teferi, an adviser to the study, said radiation technology is being used for medical diagnosis in various Ethiopian healthcare institutions, but not yet in a uniform manner.   The study presented could help address this gap through continuous training and capacity building for professionals.

Addis Ababa, August 18, 2026 (ENA) — The 13th East Africa Health Federations Conference and International Exhibition, which is scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa from August 21 to 23, is aimed at strengthening the region’s health economy by expanding local production, mobilizing private investment and boosting regional trade in medicines and medical supplies. The Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Healthcare Professionals Federation announced today that the conference will bring together more than 2,000 health-sector leaders, professionals and researchers from more than 20 countries. Also, more than 30 local and international exhibitors are also expected to participate in the exhibition. To be held under the theme “Resilience: Building the East African Health Economy”, the conference will focus on strengthening local pharmaceutical and medical equipment production to reduce the region’s dependence on imports, it was learned. Health State Minister Frehiwot Abebe said during the announcement that the gathering will also explore mechanisms for mobilizing private capital and establishing sustainable financing models to support the development of the health sector. Participants are expected to discuss ways of leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to strengthen health-related value chains, expand regional markets and facilitate cross-border trade in medicines and medical products. In addition, the conference will provide a platform to examine the role of technology and innovation in building a more resilient and competitive health economy in East Africa. Policy discussions, business engagements and potential investment agreements are expected to form part of the three-day event. The organizers said strengthening local production and regional trade could help East African countries improve the resilience of their health systems while creating new opportunities for investment, manufacturing, employment and economic growth. The Addis Ababa conference is expected to bring together governments, private-sector actors, health professionals, researchers and other stakeholders to explore ways of increasing the region’s capacity to produce essential health products and retain greater economic value within East Africa.

Addis Ababa, August 18, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopia is strengthening its efforts to prevent child wasting through government ownership, increased investment, stronger health systems and community engagement, Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Health Mebratu Massebo said. Speaking at a regional review and learning meeting on child wasting in Addis Ababa, Mebratu said Ethiopia is giving the prevention of child wasting greater priority and is working to strengthen the health system while ensuring communities play a leading role in program implementation. He said ending child wasting requires more than treating acute malnutrition, emphasizing the importance of prevention, early detection of risks, community-based systems and access to essential health services and nutrition supplies. According to Mebratu, Ethiopia is also bringing together different ministries to address the multiple factors contributing to malnutrition, including food insecurity, poverty, climate shocks and displacement. He noted that the country's system enables the Ministry of Health to coordinate with sectors including agriculture, education, social protection, women and disaster risk management. He further said the government has increased its financial commitment to nutrition, including funding for severe acute malnutrition programs, while nutrition has become one of the major budget priorities. The government increased the annual budget fivefold last year and by 26 percent this year, according to Mebratu, who also emphasized the importance of data in guiding government decisions, saying information from different nutrition and health platforms is being used to improve data quality and strengthen interoperability. The remarks were made during a regional review meeting bringing together representatives from 11 African countries and regional and international partners to assess three years of progress in preventing child wasting. WHO Representative and Head of Mission to Ethiopia Professor Francis Chisaka Kasolo said Africa continues to bear one of the heaviest burdens of child wasting globally. He called for sustained political commitment, predictable investment, stronger partnerships and national systems capable of preventing wasting, detecting it early and providing timely, quality care.