Ethiopia’s Health Sector Records Significant Progress Over Five Years: Ministry

Addis Ababa, September 25, 2026 (ENA) — The Ministry of Health has announced that Ethiopia’s health sector has made substantial progress over the past five years, highlighted by a notable decline in maternal and child mortality rates.

The achievements were shared as Ethiopia commemorated World Pharmacists’ Day 2026 under the theme “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures.”

The event brought together pharmacists, healthcare professionals, and key stakeholders to honor the pharmacy profession and discuss strategies to strengthen the national health system.

Speaking on behalf of the State Minister of Health, Frehiwot Abebe,  Senior Technical Advisor Bekele Ashagrie pointed to major improvements in health indicators, attributing part of this success to the vital work of pharmacists.

“Pharmacy professionals remain a crucial component of the health system,” Bekele said, underscoring their essential role in expanding access to medicines and improving healthcare delivery across the country.

Bekele also highlighted ongoing initiatives focused on innovation, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and emergency response.

To streamline operations, the government is modernizing information and support systems using cloud-based data, which enhances the planning, monitoring, and implementation of medicine supply and utilization.

Furthermore, efforts are actively underway to expand domestic manufacturing capacity through targeted inspections, technical support, and comprehensive capacity-building programs designed to strengthen operational performance across the entire pharmaceutical sector.

Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Association (EPA) President Dr. Daniel Waktole emphasized that pharmacists are integral to the safe, effective, and equitable delivery of healthcare.

As accessible frontline professionals and medication experts, pharmacists improve patient outcomes through dispensing medicines, counseling, chronic disease management, and health screenings, working hand-in-hand with physicians, nurses, and multidisciplinary teams.

Dr. Daniel noted that this role is increasingly vital as health systems shift toward integrated models of care that strengthen primary healthcare and promote the rational use of medicines.

World Pharmacists’ Day was established by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) in 2009 and first observed in 2010. Held annually on September 25, the date commemorates FIP's 1912 founding and recognizes the vital contributions of pharmacists to public health and patient safety worldwide.

Ethiopia honors the profession through its own rich traditions. Since 2014, Ethiopian Pharmacists’ Day has been celebrated annually on December 4 to mark the founding of the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Association (EPA).

Additionally, the EPA began locally commemorating World Pharmacists’ Day in 2020, placing a strong emphasis on professional development, capacity building, and public health.