The National Spine Center, built at the Millennium Medical College campus of St. Paul's Hospital, was inaugurated in the presence of the Minister of Health and other senior officials, the Ambassador of Israel to Ethiopia, the founder and veteran surgeons of JDC, St. Paul's leaders, and many stakeholders.
Expressing gratitude to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and other organizations for their support in making the center a reality, Minister of Health Dr. Makdes Daba said that life-changing surgeries not only have a great impact on individuals but also on families and communities. The Minister of Health stated that efforts are being made to expand neurosurgery and spine surgery services, strengthen rehabilitation systems, and build a professional workforce that can continue to provide these services nationwide.
Noting that the relations and cooperation between Ethiopia and Israel extend beyond the health sector, Israeli Deputy Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union, Tomer Barlavim, said, "We are happy to be helping people even in difficult circumstances."