Ethiopia News

ADDIS ABABA, 24 OCTOBER 2016 |: Today, as the world commemorates World Polio Day, we, the Federal Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF and Rotary International, in collaboration with other stakeholders and partners, reaffirm our commitment to eradicate the polio virus once and for all from Ethiopia.

Capital, a weekly business newspaper, interviewed Dr Pierre M'pele-Kilebou, WHO Representative in Ethiopia, on the ongoing efforts towards polio eradication in Africa. Click on the link below to read the interview.

October 27, 2016 ADDIS ABABA | The fifth meeting of the Global Vaccine Safety Initiative (GVSI)was held from 25-26 October 2016 at the African Union Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting was jointly organized by World Health Organization (WHO) and the African Union Commission. The meeting was attended by immunization program managers, pharmacovigilance staff of national regulatory authorities, from more than 30 countries and various stakeholders.

The 17th Sub-National Immunization Days werelaunched on 8 October 2015 at Shinille Town of Somali Region. Present at the launching were Acting Head of the Somali Regional Health Bureau Mr Abdulfatah Said, Rotary National Polio Plus (NPPC) Chair DR Tadesse Alemu, Past District Governer (PDG) Mr Ezra Teshome, members of the visiting Rotary International team from the USA and Canada, government officials, WHO Representative Dr 

28 October, 2016, ADDIS ABABA | WHO Ethiopia in collaboration with the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health, Rotary and other partners celebrated colorfully the 2016 World Polio Day on October 24th 2016. This year’s day was commemorated under the theme of “END POLIO NOW, MAKE HISTORY TODAY”. Each year, the WPD provides an opportunity to reflect on the achievements gained in polio eradication and to emphasize the continued commitment needed to achieve eradication.

On 11 October 2015, Rotary honoured Dr Pierre M'pele-Kilebou as a Paul Harris Fellow for his tremendous effort towards eradicating polio from Ethiopia, and appreciating tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world. Speaking at the event that took place at Hiber Traditional Restaurant, Addis Ababa,  Dr Pierre M'pele-Kilebou said,“I thank Rotary for the recognition and award. However, this award belongs to all my colleagues who contributed much towards the polio eradication effort."

10 November 2016, ADDIS ABABA | WHO Country Office in Ethiopia along with the UN Country Team handed over a Biosafety Level 3 Mobile Laboratory to The Ethiopian Public Health Institute.  As a result, Ethiopia now has the in-country capacity to diagnose   disease-causing microorganisms, including viral hemorrhagic fevers and other emerging viruses. This is because of Ethiopia’s recent acquisition of a Biosafety Level Three Laboratory (BSL3) which meets the World Health organization standards.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti visited Ethiopia on 22-26 February 2016 to lead the historic first-ever Ministerial Conference on Immunization in Africa organized by the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions of the World Health Organization together with the African Union Commission.

Dr Moeti also spoke at the Meningitis Vaccine Project closure conference held ahead of the First Ministerial Conference on Immunization. 

Harar, 30 December 2016 – The Qulubi Gebreal celebration that brings together more than half a million pilgrimage participants across the nation took place on 28 December 2016. This colorful ceremony has always been there twice a year on 28 July and 28 December each year. In such a situation where people are gathered, many are at risk of contracting communicable diseases especially AWD (Acute Watery Diarrhea). As a result, WHO Country Office in Ethiopia took part in the preparation and implementation of preventive measures against AWD and similar public health hazards.  

At a lunch meeting organized by GAVI – the Vaccine Alliance on the Unfinished Business of Immunization during the Ordinary General Assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), immunization partners and OAFLA came together to renew their commitment to complete the “unfinished business with child health in Africa”.