Attending the launch of the initiative, Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba said that Ethiopia is playing a leading role in achieving the African Union's goal of meeting 60 percent of the continent's vaccine needs by 2040. 

She noted that the government has improved the drug procurement system to prioritize domestically produced products, increasing domestic demand coverage from 8 percent to 42 percent, and is working hard to increase it to 60 percent in the next five years.

The AU Summit, themed “Advancing Africa’s Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda: Ensuring Sustainability through Commitment and Leadership,” is being held at the Africa CDC, which focuses on strengthening continental cooperation to ensure sustainable financing, strong leadership, and self-reliance of African health systems.

His Majesty King Letsi III of Lesotho, accompanied by the Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba, visited the Child Care and Nutrition Unit at Zewditu Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa, where he commended Ethiopia’s commitment to improving maternal and child health.
Speaking during the visit, His Majesty King Letsi stressed that “effective nutrition policies save lives” and noted that Ethiopia’s nutrition reform efforts have shown exemplary results. He also highlighted the critical role nutrition plays in preventing disease and reducing child mortality.

Ethiopia’s successful containment of the Marburg virus disease represents a major public health achievement, realized through strong leadership, rapid response, and coordinated action, according to His Excellency Tagese Chafo, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. He emphasized that this success is the result of close cooperation and integration among health policymakers, health professionals, and key stakeholders.

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) has announced that it will strengthen its broad support to Ethiopia’s health response efforts, including the fight against Marburg virus.

The Chinese Volunteer Health Professionals Induction Program was held at the Addis Ababa Silkroad Hospital.

President Taye Atsekeslassie, who officially opened the Chinese Volunteer Health Professionals Induction Program, said that the friendship between Ethiopia and China is fruitful and historic.

President Taye added that the arrival of Chinese volunteer medical professionals to Ethiopia for volunteer service is a sign of the strong friendship between the two countries.

Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba said that volunteering should be implemented beyond the winter season in other seasons during a discussion with Rotary Ethiopia delegates.

Dr. Mekdes thanked Rotary Ethiopia for its contribution to the health sector; they discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation.

During the visit, both ministers met with hospital staff, toured the hospital’s facilities, and spoke to patients. They observed the life-changing health services and care the hospital is providing to women suffering from  fistula.

Dr. Mekdes Daba said the hospital is a model of compassion and medical excellence. She added that Hamlin Fistula Hospital has restored health and dignity to thousands of Ethiopian women.