Addis Ababa, October 2, 2025 — Ethiopia’s attainment of WHO Maturity Level 3 marks a significant milestone in the country’s journey to strengthen its pharmaceutical sector, Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba stated.

Speaking to the media today, the Minister explained that Ethiopia was awarded the Level 3 rating for establishing a stable and integrated drug regulatory system. She emphasized that this recognition confirms that the quality, safety, and effectiveness of medicines and medical devices meet international standards.

“This milestone represents a major step forward in ensuring that Ethiopians have continuous access to safe and high-quality medicines, ultimately protecting public health,” Dr. Mekdes said.

Addis Ababa, September 30, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia has crossed a pivotal threshold in health governance after the World Health Organization (WHO) formally recognized its national medicines regulatory system as meeting Maturity Level 3 (ML3). The announcement was included in a WHO statement issued Tuesday.

The distinction places Ethiopia among just nine African countries to reach this benchmark, joining Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Senegal, and Rwanda.

According to the WHO, a regulatory system at ML3 is “stable, well-functioning, and integrated,” capable of carrying out essential functions such as product authorization, post-market surveillance, and safety event management.

The highest standard, Maturity Level 4, is reserved for systems with advanced, continuously improving functions.

Addis Ababa, September 19, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia is set to establish East Africa’s largest National Integrated Rehabilitation Center, a milestone initiative aimed at consolidating and advancing the country’s health infrastructure.

Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba inaugurated the construction of the center at Gefersa, Sheger City, during a ceremony attended by senior government officials and leading medical practitioners.

In her remarks, Dr. Mekdes highlighted that the new rehabilitation center will serve as a benchmark for Ethiopia’s healthcare sector, transforming the nation’s current rehabilitation services into a continental center of excellence. Ethiopia’s existing rehabilitation facilities have been operating for over 40 years, and the new project aims to position the country as Africa’s leading provider of care for people with health challenges.

Addis Ababa, August 9, 2025 (FMC) — WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, has praised Ethiopia’s achievements in strengthening its health system and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the country’s ongoing efforts.

Speaking to ENA during his first official visit to Ethiopia, Dr. Janabi said he held productive discussions with Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba on national health priorities, WHO’s role as a key partner, and ways to reach populations affected by humanitarian crises.

“I had the opportunity to see how health is run in Ethiopia. I was impressed, and we discussed a range of issues,” he said, noting that Ethiopia’s status as Africa’s second most populous country demands “an extra mile” in health system management — a challenge he commended the government for addressing under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s leadership.

Addis Ababa, August 7, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie has underscored that the strategic partnership between Ethiopia and China is growing beyond commercial interests, increasingly extending into global cooperation and humanitarian engagement.

Speaking at the launch of the 2025 Chinese Medical Volunteers’ African Charity Mission and International Medical Volunteers’ Campaign, held at the Silk Road General Hospital in Addis Ababa, President Taye praised the initiative as a symbol of enduring friendship and evolving collaboration between the two countries.

The event was attended by Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba and Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Chen Hai, alongside senior health officials and Chinese medical professionals.

Addis Ababa, August 6, 2025 (FMC) — This Ethiopian rainy season (a local winter season), five million underprivileged Ethiopians will receive free medical care through a nationwide voluntary campaign, according to the Ministry of Health (FMoH).

A week-long health campaign has been launched by Eka Kotebe General Hospital and the Addis Ababa City Administration’s Community Participation and Voluntarism Coordination Commission.

The program, themed “Voluntary Service for a Healthy Community,” is offering a range of free services, including health counseling, screenings, and medical treatment, as part of the summer volunteer initiative.

Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba and Eka Kotebe General Hospital Director General Dr. Muluken Tesfaye officially launched the program alongside senior officials.

Addis Ababa, August 4, 2025 (FMC) — The World Health Organization (WHO) has reiterated its strong commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s efforts to provide quality, accessible health services across the country.

Owen Kaluwa, WHO Representative to Ethiopia, praised the government’s proactive approach in integrating innovative solutions to advance the country’s progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

“Ethiopia is a regional leader in adopting innovations that drive its national health system transformation,” Kaluwa said. “The country is intentionally incorporating new technologies to enhance service quality, patient safety, and healthcare accessibility.”

He highlighted that ongoing programs leverage technology to improve health service delivery and stressed that innovation is vital to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, particularly the target of universal health coverage.

Addis Ababa, June 10, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia has taken a significant step in bolstering its national emergency response capabilities by launching a large-scale Emergency Medical Team (EMT) simulation exercise.

British Embassy in Ethiopia through UK-MED and the UK Emergency Medical Team (UK-EMT), has extended support, consisting of 12 tents for a three-day simulation exercise.

The support also includes a new facility capable of serving 100 patients per day and providing access to various medical services.

Moreover, y simulation involves key national stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, EPHI, the National Defense Force, Federal Police, Disaster Risk Management Commission, Refugees and Returnees Service

Addis Ababa, June 4, 2025 (FMC) – The second round of Ethiopia’s nationwide pollution reduction campaign will officially begin tomorrow, June 5, under the theme “Shaping a Culture of Clean Living in Ethiopia,” the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority has announced.

At a press briefing, Ms. Lelise Neme, Director General of the Authority, stated that the campaign will be launched at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa. The opening ceremony will be attended by senior federal and regional government leaders, members of the diplomatic community, development partners, heads of public and private sector organizations, and community representatives.

Addis Ababa, June 3, 2025 (FMC) – Model farmers’ village construction will significantly improve the livelihoods of local farmers and promote a healthier standard of living, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said after launching the construction of the fourth model farmers’ village in the Central Ethiopia region’s Silte Zone.

“In Werabet Shama Kebele, Hulbareg Woreda, Silte Zone, of the Central Ethiopia Region, we also commenced the construction of the fourth model farmers’ village which is a part of the rainy season goodwill/volunteer initiative. Once completed, these homes will significantly improve the livelihoods of local farmers and promote a healthier standard of living,” PM Abiy said.

Addis Ababa, May 28, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health is intensifying efforts to contain the spread of the Mpox virus following a confirmed case in Moyale, located in the Oromia Region.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that affects both humans and animals. It is typically characterized by fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive rash that progresses to fluid-filled blisters before crusting over.

Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba briefed journalists today on the government’s ongoing containment measures.

She stated that Mpox has been reported in 133 countries worldwide, including 29 African nations.
In Ethiopia, a 21-day-old infant in Moyale has recently tested positive for the virus. Subsequent tests confirmed that the child’s parents are also infected. Fortunately, all three individuals are in isolation and receiving . . . 

Addis Ababa, May 22, 2025 (FMC) — Eleven million children have been vaccinated against measles in just one week as part of a nationwide immunization campaign, according to Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health.

The campaign, which is being carried out across all regions of the country, is part of a broader effort to curb the resurgence of epidemic-prone diseases such as measles.

Dr. Mariamawit Asfaw, Head of the Maternal, Children, and Juvenile Health Department at the Ministry, told Fana Media Corporation that the campaign is already showing promising results.

She explained that the initiative not only aims to protect children from measles, but also to identify those who are vulnerable due to . . . 

Addis Ababa, May 16, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia and Japan have signed a landmark agreement worth approximately USD 17.4 million (2.3 billion ETB) to launch The Project for the Specialized Hospital for Infectious Diseases Treatment in Addis Ababa. The initiative marks a significant step in Ethiopia’s efforts to strengthen its healthcare system and bolster its resilience to infectious disease outbreaks.

The agreement was signed by Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide; Japan’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr. Shibata Hironori; and Mr. Shintaro Takano, Deputy Resident Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Ethiopia Office. Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba, was also in attendance.

Addis Ababa, May 10, 2025 (FMC) – The World Health Organization (WHO) has congratulated Ethiopia’s recent launch of the Public Health Emergency Management Center of Excellence (PHEM-CoE) as a milestone in regional and global health leadership.

Patrick Okumu Abok, WHO Team Leader for the Emergency Preparedness and Response Cluster in Ethiopia, emphasized that the initiative demonstrates the country’s growing role as a center of excellence in public health emergency management in Africa.

The establishment of Public Health Emergency Management Center of Excellence is not only a milestone for Ethiopia, but for the continent as well. It shows Ethiopia’s dedication and capability in leading public health emergency responses, not just at the national level, but at the regional and global levels,” he said.

Addis Ababa, April 23, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia and Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in the health sector, with a focus on hygiene, epidemic prevention, and rapid emergency response.

The agreement was signed by Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba and Anna Y. Popova, Head of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, during the opening of the first Russian-African Sanitation and Emergency Rapid Response Team joint training seminar in Addis Ababa.

The MoU aims to enhance health security in both nations through early disease detection, coordinated prevention strategies, and fast response to public health threats.

Addis Ababa, April 23, 2025 (FMC) — African nations need to forge their disease prevention and control capabilities by investing in modern laboratory infrastructure and skilled health workforce, Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba stressed.

At the opening of the first Russian-African Sanitation and Emergency Rapid Response Team training seminar in Addis Ababa, Health Minister Mekdes stressed the need for strengthening Africa’s public health response capacity.

The three-day seminar brought together experts from 15 African nations, including Ethiopia, to enhance rapid response and research-based service capabilities.

As part of a collaborative effort to modernize Ethiopia’s health infrastructure, the modern mobile laboratory with the capacity to diagnose over 300 diseases was handed over to the ministry today.