In his opening address to the conference, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, His Excellency Ato Temesgen Tiruneh, said that the victory achieved by the early Ethiopians in Adwa 130 years ago must be repeated today by ensuring the universal sovereignty of our people to protect their own health.
Health sovereignty means creating the ability to produce medicines and medical supplies ourselves, train and maintain our health professionals, and to respond to epidemics or health crises ourselves without waiting for the world to intervene, Ato Temesgen said.
He also stated that the Ethiopian government will fully support the establishment of the African Health Federation headquarters in Addis Ababa, to provide a continental platform for private investors to work closely with the government and other stakeholders in the health sector.
Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba, for her part, said that the participation of government and non-governmental organizations in the conference was to discuss the future of health in East Africa.
Although our health system is limited within our borders, our challenges are not limited by borders; but our unity will help us face these challenges, she said.
Dr. Mekdes explained that Ethiopia has built a community-based health system. Strengthening our primary health system has enabled us to reduce maternal mortality, she said, adding that this has been possible through public and private sector collaboration.
The Minister expressed Ethiopia’s commitment to increasing its domestic products; She called on the private sector to invest in Ethiopia and the East African health sector.
The conference was attended by participants from various African countries, and an international health exhibition was held.