The Ethiopian Multi-Sectoral National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) development workshop is being held in the town of Bishoftu between March 25 and 30, 2024.
Dr. Mesay Hailu, Director General of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), formally opened the workshop on March 26, 2024. The director general stressed in his opening remarks that the Institute has demonstrated a strong commitment to bolstering the nation’s IHR core capacities to prevent, detect, and respond through the creation and execution of the national action plan for health security.
The Director General continued by saying that building capacity for international health regulation across sectors is essential to guaranteeing national health security. Dr. Mesay restates that EPHI is committed to providing all necessary leadership and support to ensure that the strategy plan is carried out effectively through stakeholder collaboration and that it is consistent with the country’s broader health policies and initiatives.
During his presentation on IHR capacity and NAPHS preparation, Dr. Feyesa Regassa, the International Health Regulation National Focal Point, addressed the development of the NAPHS, the procedures and activities completed thus far, as well as the successes and advancements made. The national focal point also conveyed gratitude to all partners and sectors for the achievements made possible by the creation of the new NAPHS.
On his behalf, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Dr. Woubishet Zewdeie stated that the ministry puts up a lot of effort to ensure the NAPHS plan is successful. As per Dr. Woubishet, collaboration between all sectors, partners, and stakeholders is more important than ever to ensure the successful implementation of the national action plan for health security attainment.
The WHO has been providing Ethiopia with technical and financial support for the implementation and management of IHR, according to WHO representative Dr. Fekadu Adugna. Dr. Fekadu attests that WHO has reiterated its dedication to carrying out the strategy and assisting the government in securing the health security of the country. Furthermore, keynote speakers from RTSL, UKHSA, and CDC-USAID emphasized their commitment to leveraging diverse programs to enhance public health across the country.
NAPHS, a multi-year planning process owned by the nation, is based on the One Health concept, the whole-government approach to all threats, ensuring health security in Ethiopia and meeting IHR standards. It has the potential to expedite the implementation of IHR core capacities. NAPHS captures national priorities for health security, brings sectors together, identifies partners, and allocates resources for health security capacity development to improve the ability to prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies of international concern (PHEIC) and subsequently lessen their social and economic impact.