EPHI Convenes Seminar and Honors Prof. Lars Åke Persson for Pioneering Public Health Contributions
The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) held two events on November 19, 2025, celebrating the intersection of data and public health action and honoring a dedicated international collaborator.
EPHI hosted a seminar under the theme “From Data to Action: Reflections on Stakeholder Engagement in Research,” bringing together deputy directors, directors, researchers, and university staff.
The talk was delivered by Prof. Lars Åke Persson, Professor of Public Health Evaluation at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). With over 40 years of global experience in maternal and child health, Prof. Persson has worked extensively in Ethiopia since 2016.
During his presentation, Prof. Persson highlighted three ways systematically collected data can drive meaningful change:
. Initiating public health improvements: Showing how data can spark major reforms, drawing lessons from 19th-century Sweden.
. Enhancing healthcare delivery: Emphasizing how accurate, timely data empowers health workers to improve outcomes in their facilities.
. Empowering communities: Sharing examples of local stakeholders using data to create context-specific interventions, particularly in neonatal health.
Dr. Getachew Tollera, Deputy General Director of EPHI, remarked that the lecture offered a fresh perspective, highlighting that impactful action does not always require policy changes, as individuals, facilities, and communities can leverage existing data. The seminar was moderated by Dr. Masresha Tessema, Director of Nutrition, Environmental Health and Non-communicable Disease Research Directorate at EPHI, and concluded with a lively question-and-answer session.
Following the seminar, EPHI held a special ceremony to honor Professor Lars Åke Persson upon his retirement, recognizing his outstanding contributions to health research and capacity building in Ethiopia since 2016.
Dr. Getachew Tollera, Deputy General Director of EPHI, highlighted Prof. Persson’s remarkable achievements, noting his support began with the Dagu project, which evaluated the OHEP program and supported eight PhD candidates.
His key contributions include:
. ORCA (Operational Research and Coaching for Analysts): Strengthening the skills of 36 analysts from EPHI, the Ministry of Health, and PFSA.
. Lihiket 1.0 and 2.0: Postdoctoral initiatives fostering implementation research across six Ethiopian Universities.
. Other Major Initiatives: Contributing significantly to projects like SESA-HDSS,
. Quality of Care Network, Effective Coverage Project, Data Informed Platform for Health, and Healthy Mums, Healthy Babies (MMS).
EPHI management members and his current and former fellows attended the ceremony. Dr. Getachew and Dr. Melakmu, Deputy General Directors of EPHI, presented Professor Persson with a plaque, medal, and gifts in honor of his invaluable impact on Ethiopia’s health research and capacity building.