Addis Ababa. 20 October 2014 – H.E. Dr Mulatu Teshome, the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia granted an audience to Dr Pierre M’pele-Kilebou, the World Health Organization Representative to Ethiopia. 

Dr M’pele was accompanied by Dr Fiona Braka, Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Cluster Coordinator, Dr Abebayehu Mengistu, Disease Prevention and Control Cluster Coordinator, Mr Pierre Lessimi, Management Cluster Coordinator and Mrs Loza Mesfin, Communication, Advocacy and Media Program Officer.

Dr Pierre M’pele seized this opportunity to report on the successful Annual Review Meeting of the Ethiopian Health Sector Development Program held in Dire Dawa 15-18 October 2014, which brought together more than 800 participants under the leadership of Dr Kesetebirhan Admasu, Minister of Health. He also highlighted the tremendous progress made by Ethiopia towards achieving the health-related Millennium Development Goals. 

The delegation briefed H.E. the President on:

- The Polio outbreak as a challenge at global level, in the African Region, mainly in Horn of Africa, including Somali Region of Ethiopia. The confirmation of the last case of wild polio virus in Somali Region on the 5th of January 2014, is the result of the concerted efforts led by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Somali Regional Health Bureau with the support of immunization partners.

- The Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa and the good level of preparedness in Ethiopia, where no case of Ebola has occurred.

- The work of WHO in Ethiopia in support of the National Health Sector agenda. 

H.E. the President congratulated WHO on its partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, and acknowledged that the successes of the Health Sector are a result of the joint efforts: government and partners.

H.E. the President, as Champion of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), expressed his personal commitment to support and advocate for the immunization program in Ethiopia.

For more information, please contact Loza Mesfin Tesfaye, Communications, WHO Ethiopia, email:   tesfayel [at] who.int , Tel: +251 911 144 194.

PHOTO: WHO Ethiopia/ Loza Mesfin Tesfaye