Addis Ababa, September 27, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s health transformation is increasingly extending beyond the traditional measure of hospitals built or medicines supplied.

It is becoming a broader story of health capability: producing more at home, expanding access and specialised care, digitising services, strengthening science and regulation, and building the capacity to respond to emergencies—while assuming a more visible role in shaping Africa’s health future.

The breadth of that transformation is reflected in recent health indicators. According to Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba, maternal mortality has fallen to 141 per 100,000 live births, under-five mortality to 51 per 1,000, while national primary healthcare coverage has risen to 86.3 percent

Addis Ababa, September 15, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia has reached a significant milestone in strengthening its emergency preparedness and response capacity, with the Ethiopian Emergency Medical Team formally classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Type 1 Fixed Emergency Medical Team, the first such classification in Africa.

Speaking at the recognition ceremony, Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba said the classification marked an important achievement in Ethiopia’s efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness and response.

Addis Ababa, August 25, 2026 (FMC) — Africa must play a more decisive role in shaping the global health agenda rather than simply adapting to priorities and reforms designed elsewhere, Ethiopian President Taye Atske-Selassie said.

Addressing the 76th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Addis Ababa, President Taye said Africa is at a pivotal moment as the continent confronts unpredictable health financing, geopolitical instability, disease outbreaks, climate pressures and conflicts that disrupt essential health services.

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Addis Ababa, August 28, 2026 (FMC) — Thirteen African countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cross-border cooperation on disease prevention, health information sharing and the joint provision of medical supplies, marking a major step toward improving outbreak preparedness across the continent.

Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Angola and Tanzania are among the countries that signed the agreement, announced during the 76th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC76).

Addis Ababa, August 25, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia has expanded its digital health records to around 7 million households, covering data on more than 33 million people, Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba said.

Addressing the 76th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Addis Ababa, Dr. Mekdes said Ethiopia is entering a new era of “digital health and digital sovereignty” as it expands the use of digital systems across its health sector.

She said community health records through the Ethiopian Community Health Information System have grown from about 

Addis Ababa, August 25, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia has recorded major gains in health coverage, local production of health products and emergency preparedness, Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba said.

Addressing the 76th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Addis Ababa, Dr. Mekdes said Ethiopia’s health-sector progress over the past decade has increasingly translated into measurable improvements in the lives of its people.

She said maternal mortality declined from 871 to 141 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to Ethiopia’s 2024–2025 Demographic and Health Survey, while under-five mortality fell from 67 to 51 deaths per 1,000 live births since 2016.

Addis Ababa, August 23, 2026 (FMC) — Participants of the 76th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa (RC76) took part in a symbolic health walk on Sunday from the Adwa Victory Memorial to Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, turning the “Walk the Talk” message into action while promoting physical activity and healthier lifestyles across Africa.

Ethiopia’s Health Minister Mekdes Daba, African health ministers, senior government officials, WHO leaders and prominent athletes, including Ethiopian Athletics Federation President Sileshi Sihine, participated in the event.

Addis Ababa, August 25, 2026 (FMC) — Africa must strengthen its capacity to finance, produce and shape its own health priorities as the continent confronts unpredictable health financing, geopolitical instability, disease outbreaks, climate pressures and conflicts that disrupt vital health services, President Taye Atske-Selassie said.

Addressing the 76th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Addis Ababa, President Taye called for stronger regional cooperation and greater African ownership of the continent’s health architecture, stressing that decisions taken at the session should contribute directly to advancing the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Addis Ababa, August 25, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s progress in health, environmental sustainability and peacebuilding are interconnected elements of building national resilience, President Taye Atske-Selassie said, highlighting sustained health investment, the Green Legacy Initiative and the country’s National Dialogue as key components of Ethiopia’s broader development approach.

Addressing the 76th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Addis Ababa, President Taye said Ethiopia regards health as a strategic national investment and has steadily increased budget allocations to the sector despite competing economic demands.

Addis Ababa, August 25, 2026 (FMC) — Africa has an opportunity to reduce its dependence on external health financing by building greater health sovereignty, self-reliance and solidarity, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Speaking at a webinar during the 76th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Addis Ababa, Dr. Tedros said the continent’s recent health gains demonstrate the potential to advance even amid severe disruptions to international health financing.

Addis Ababa, August 25, 2026 (FMC) — African health leaders have praised Ethiopia’s progress in healthcare and called for stronger continental cooperation to expand access to treatment, strengthen self-reliance and build more resilient health systems across Africa.

In interviews on the sidelines of the 76th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Addis Ababa, 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 private sector.

Addis Ababa, August 21, 2026 (FMC) — Strengthening local pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing is crucial to reducing East Africa’s vulnerability to external health supply disruptions, Ethiopia’s Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba said.

The Minister made the remark during the opening of the 13th East Africa Healthcare Federation Conference and International Health Exhibition in Addis Ababa, held under the theme “Resilience: Building the East African Health Economy.”

Dr. Mekdes said health security, financing, supply chains, technology, climate change and the movement of health workers transcend national borders and require joint solutions among countries in the region.

Addis Ababa, August 21, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia is committed to positioning Addis Ababa as a leading African healthcare hub, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh said.

Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen made the remark after opening the 13th East Africa Healthcare Federation Conference and Exhibition at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa.

Held under the theme “Resilience: Building the East African Health Economy,” the conference brings together governments, health leaders, investors and partners around the shared priority of building resilient, equitable and productive health systems capable of serving people and strengthening Africa’s health security.

Addis Ababa, July 29, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia has joined the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)-led Transforming Health Financing in Africa Initiative (THFAI) as one of four early-adopter countries, marking a new step in efforts to advance sustainable and innovative health financing reforms.

The initiative, led by UNECA, aims to support African countries in strengthening health financing through domestic resource mobilization, policy reforms and innovative financing mechanisms.

During a meeting with UNECA Executive Secretary Claver Gatete, Finance Minister Ahmed Shide welcomed Ethiopia’s participation in the initiative, saying it aligns with the country’s efforts to strengthen domestic resource mobilization and explore innovative financing solutions for social services.

Addis Ababa, July 8, 2026 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) said Ethiopia’s healthcare transformation is advancing toward greater self-reliance, citing expanded domestic pharmaceutical production, improved medical infrastructure and strengthened preventive health services as major areas of progress.

The Prime Minister made the remarks yesterday while responding to questions from members of the House of Peoples’ Representatives during its 30th regular session of the fifth year of its term, where he highlighted the government’s performance during the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year

Prime Minister Abiy said Ethiopia has made significant strides in strengthening its healthcare capacity by expanding local medicine production, enhancing medical facilities and improving access to essential health services.

Addis Ababa, June 19, 2026 (FMC) – Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba, has been elected Co-Chair of the Governing Board of the Pandemic Fund, joining Indonesia’s former Minister of Finance, Dr. Chatib Basri, in leading the body.

She formally assumed the position from Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, who concluded his term as Co-Chair of the Governing Board.

Following her appointment, Dr. Mekdes expressed appreciation to her fellow Co-Chair and Governing Board members for their trust and confidence. She said she was honored to serve in the role and reaffirmed her commitment to advancing stronger preparedness, resilient health systems, and country-led action aimed at

Addis Ababa, June 12, 2026 (FMC) – Ethiopia’s Ministry of Defense and India’s Padiyath Health Care Group have signed a landmark joint venture agreement aimed at strengthening specialized healthcare services and expanding access to world-class medical treatment in the country.

The agreement was signed by Minister of Defense Aisha Mohammed and Chairman of Padiyath Health Care Group, Dr. Hazeeb Rahman, in the presence of Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba, Indian Ambassador to Ethiopia Anil Kumar Rai, and senior officials from the Defense Specialized Referral Hospital and Diagnostic Group.

Addis Ababa, June 6, 2026 (FMC) — Addis Ababa City Administration has inaugurated the Addis Forensic and Toxicology Center of Excellence at Menelik II Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, marking the establishment of Ethiopia’s first integrated facility dedicated to forensic science, toxicology, and advanced DNA-based services.

The center was officially inaugurated on Firday by Addis Ababa City Administration Mayor Adanech Abiebie, in the presence of senior government officials and stakeholders in the health sector.

Addis Ababa, June 5, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia aims to become a premier regional destination for medical tourism by upgrading its tertiary healthcare services and integrating AI-driven diagnostics.

State Minister of Health Dr. Dereje Duguma recently told local news agency ENA that this effort, designed to attract patients from across the Horn of Africa while improving healthcare services for citizens, is a key priority of the government’s ongoing health sector reforms.

“We are already seeing many patients visiting our country from neighboring areas such as Somalia, Djibouti, and northern Kenya,” he said.