Ethiopia to Strengthen Cross-Border Health Emergency Preparedness
Regional Health Leaders Meet in Ethiopia to Strengthen Cross-Border Health Emergency Preparedness
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Senior health officials, regional representatives and development partners have convened in Ethiopia for a multi-day workshop focused on strengthening cross-border health emergency preparedness, surveillance and response to public health emergencies across the Greater Horn of Africa.
The workshop seeks to build consensus on a proposed multi-country Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen coordination, information sharing and joint action against health threats that cross national borders.
Opening the meeting, Dr. Mesay Hailu, Director General of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), representing the Government of Ethiopia, underscored the importance of collective action, timely information sharing and strengthened regional partnerships in addressing emerging and recurring health emergencies.
“Diseases know no borders,” Dr. Mesay said, emphasizing the importance of trust, timely information sharing and coordinated action among neighboring countries.
Dr. Mesay emphasized that recent public health emergencies have demonstrated the need for countries to work collectively, as outbreaks can rapidly move across borders and affect neighboring populations. He highlighted the draft MoU as an important step towards establishing a common framework for cross-border collaboration and reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to advancing the One Health approach and aligning national strategies with regional and global health security standards.
Representing IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Dr. Wako Gufu said the region continues to face recurrent outbreaks, including cholera and Mpox, alongside climate-related stocks such as flooding and population displacement.
He called for greater investment in preparedness and stronger cross-border partnerships to protect communities and strengthen regional health security.
Dr. Fikadu Adugna, representing the WHO Country Office, reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting countries in strengthening capacities at borders and cross-border points in line with the International Health Regulations.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kyeng Mercy of Africa CDC highlighted the importance of surveillance and epidemic intelligence at points of entry, including real-time data sharing and early warning systems.
The workshop will continue with technical discussions, risk assessments and refinement of the proposed MoU, with participants aiming to establish a more coordinated regional framework for preventing and responding to public health emergencies.