Ethiopian National EMT Leads Live SIMEX on Eve of 7th WHO EMT Global Meeting
Demonstrating Africa’s growing leadership in global health security, Ethiopia’s newly WHO-classified National Emergency Medical Team (EMT) successfully led the full-scale Simulation Exercise (SIMEX) today during “Day Zero” of the 7th World Health Organization Emergency Medical Teams Global Meeting.
The live exercise took place at the Addis Ababa Field Hospital and the Regional EMT Training and Knowledge Hub, highlighting Ethiopia’s milestone achievement as the first civilian Emergency Medical Team in Africa to attain international WHO classification.
The event brought together senior national and regional emergency preparedness officials, representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), WHO officials, and international partners to assess and strengthen emergency medical response capabilities.
Opening the simulation exercise, Dr. Melkamu Abte , the Deputy Director General of EPHI underscored the importance of continuous testing, preparedness, discipline, and collaboration in strengthening emergency response systems.
“We do not practise because we expect every emergency to unfold as planned. We practise because emergencies rarely do,” Dr. Melkamu said.
The simulation exercise is designed to test Ethiopia’s emergency management systems and identify potential operational gaps before actual emergencies occur.
Key areas of assessment include team activation and deployment, logistics and communication, and coordination among government institutions, local emergency responders, and international partners.
The exercise aims to evaluate how effectively emergency medical teams mobilize, how responsibilities are assigned, and how institutions coordinate their responses under challenging circumstances.
Dr. Flavio Salio, Head of the WHO Emergency Medical Teams Secretariat, commended Ethiopia’s leadership and progress in developing its emergency medical response capacity.
Hosting the meeting marks a significant milestone for Ethiopia and the African Region, reinforcing the importance of regional leadership, international cooperation, and sustained investment in emergency preparedness.
The overall objective is to translate shared experience and practical exercises into stronger, more coordinated, and effective emergency medical response systems that prioritize safety and quality clinical care.