Gov’t Focuses on Expansion of Health Infrastructure, Human Resource Dev't: PM Abiy

Addis Ababa, June 23, 2025 (ENA) -- Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that the government has reinvigorated the health sector through expansion of health infrastructure facilities, renovation as well as production of workforce in large number.

During a discussion held with health professionals, the Prime Minister noted that the government has also put in place a policy to foster efficient health services at the private heath institutions.

Over the past few years, altogether more than 6,000 health institutions have been built, renovated, or expanded, the prime minister noted.

Recalling that maintaining clean and comfortable work environments have been carried out by engaging the private sector, Prime Minister Abiy urged authorities of the health sector to sustain this endeavor.

Stating that the country has 22,000 public health institutions, which have not of course achieved the required standards, the prime minister noted that a lot has been carried out in renovation and expansion works.

 

The private heath institutions have also grown to 28,000, from 15, 000 before the reform.

Relentless efforts have continued to increase the development of human resources in the sector, the prime minister stated, adding the number of health professions in government institutions has grown to 520,000 from 219, 000; while  the number of professionals in the private health institutions has seen a rise from 30,000 to 120,000.

He further noted that the number of medical universities in the country has also grown from 7 to 22.

Local pharmaceuticals and medical equipment industries have improved, rising from 8 to 41 percent, while oxygen production facilities have expanded from just three during the COVID-19 period to 58 across the country.

Some 28 laboratories have been established, the Prime Minister announced, adding that capacity has also been gained to identify pre-epidemic, enhanced by Africa CDC based in the country.

The heath sector has been digitized as the order of the day demands, Prime Minister Abiy underscored.