AGP Executive Report

Health Financing Reform: Ethiopia has joined UNECA’s Transforming Health Financing in Africa Initiative as an early-adopter, aiming to boost domestic resource mobilization and innovative, debt-sustainable ways to fund resilient health systems. Water & Sanitation Crisis: A UN official says over 400 million Africans still lack basic drinking water and 700 million lack safely managed sanitation, warning this is undermining health and productivity. Kala-Azar Treatment Update: Kenya is set to revise national kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis) guidelines after WHO endorsed improved, shorter regimens, including an oral medicine, with trials involving Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda. Tobacco Control Capacity: Public health advocates from 12 countries, including Ethiopia, trained in Lagos to better monitor and counter tobacco industry interference in policy. Migration & Health Protection: Ethiopia reports repatriation of 1,834 nationals from Saudi Arabia, including minors, with plans for airport support and reintegration for victims of irregular migration. Women’s Health Research: A study links urinary tract infection risk in gynecologic malignant tumor inpatients to factors that may guide better care planning.

Ethiopia’s Food Security Gains: Ethiopia’s “Bounty of Basket” initiative is credited with boosting household food security and production across value chains, with major jumps in egg and poultry output since launch in 2022, as Ambassador Mekuria Getachew highlights homegrown solutions. Sino-African Health Modernization: China and African partners launched Ethiopia-based programs to modernize public health care, including minimally invasive medicine and training centers for robotic surgery and endoscopic skills. AU Executive Council Focus on Water & Sanitation: Foreign ministers are arriving in Addis Ababa for the AU Executive Council session, with water availability and safe sanitation set as the top agenda for Agenda 2063. Tobacco Control Training in Africa: Public health advocates gathered in Lagos for ATIM’s tobacco industry monitoring training, including Ethiopian participants, to strengthen efforts against industry interference in policy. HIV Funding Worries: UNAIDS warns that cuts to prevention and community services could reverse progress, even as countries including Kenya report large reductions in new infections. Food Crisis Drivers: A UN report links acute food insecurity to conflict, economic shocks, and climate extremes, urging action on root causes rather than short-term hunger relief.

Tobacco Control Training: Public health advocates from 12 African countries, including Ethiopia, met in Lagos for a five-day ATIM Tobacco Industry Monitoring training to strengthen monitoring and counter tobacco industry interference in policy. HIV Funding Warning: UNAIDS reports Kenya and others have cut new HIV infections by nearly 80% since 2010, but warns global progress is fragile as international funding drops and prevention/community services face cuts. Hepatitis Awareness: Nigeria marks World Hepatitis Day (July 28) under “Let us break it down,” highlighting hepatitis B, C, and other types and the need for education and prevention. Sino-Africa Medical Partnership: China and African partners launched initiatives in Addis Ababa to modernize care, including minimally invasive medicine and training centers for robotic and endoscopic skills. Ethiopia Food Security Gains: Ethiopia’s Bounty of Basket initiative is credited with boosting household food security and production, including major growth in eggs and poultry meat. Water & Sanitation Focus at AU: Foreign ministers arrive in Addis Ababa for the AU Executive Council session centered on sustainable water availability and safe sanitation. Pastoralist Climate Strain: A Kenya-Ethiopia border report shows communities shifting from conflict to cooperation as drought and shrinking water push herders to share scarce grazing. Parenting Support at Scale: Research across eight African countries finds parenting programmes that work in trials can still benefit families when delivered through routine services. Digital Health Caution: A critique warns that poor health data quality often comes from collecting more than is used and parallel systems—not just missing apps.

Sino-African Healthcare Modernization: China and African partners launched new medical partnership initiatives in Addis Ababa, including robotic surgery and endoscopic training centers, aiming to upgrade Ethiopia’s public health services with new skills and technology. Maternal Health Digital Care: Ethiopia’s health officials met Kenya to learn how AI-enabled point-of-care ultrasound is being scaled for maternal and newborn care, with plans to adopt similar approaches. AU Executive Council Focus on Water & Sanitation: Foreign ministers arrived in Addis Ababa for the AU Executive Council session, where water availability and safe sanitation are set to be central—key issues for public health and food security. Hepatitis Awareness Push: World Hepatitis Day (July 28) marked renewed calls to “break it down” on viral hepatitis B, C, and others, emphasizing education and prevention. Hunger & Food Security Rethink: A TEDx preview from nurse practitioner Shannon Fernando-Rubera argues hunger solutions fail to scale due to “permission” barriers, highlighting enset’s cross-border expansion from Ethiopia to Kenya. Health Data Without More Apps: A critique of digital health rollouts warns that poor data use, incentives, and parallel systems—not just missing mobile tools—are driving quality problems. Ebola Response Funding Speed: Coverage highlights how fast partner support matters in outbreaks, with China’s emergency Ebola support to Africa described as a practical test of solidarity.

AU Executive Council in Addis Ababa: Foreign ministers and senior officials are arriving for the 49th AU Executive Council session (July 28–29), with water security and safe sanitation set as the theme under Agenda 2063. Maternal health digital leap: Ethiopia’s State Minister of Health met Kenya counterparts to benchmark Kenya’s AI-enabled point-of-care ultrasound rollout for maternal and newborn care, as Ethiopia prepares its own deployment. HIV funding pressure: UNAIDS warns that global HIV progress is at risk as international funding cuts threaten prevention and community health services. Youth mental health and faith: AMECEA bishops in Nairobi adopted pastoral priorities for young people, including expanded mental health and psycho-social support and guidance for responsible digital engagement. Cancer’s ripple effect in Ethiopia: WHO reports Ethiopia among the top countries for children orphaned by maternal cancer, with breast and cervical cancers driving the burden. Tigray aid gaps: A site profiling report says many Tigray displacement sites face insufficient food, nutrition, healthcare, and WASH coverage amid new arrivals. Parenting at scale: Research across eight African countries finds parenting programmes that work in trials can still help when delivered through routine services, supporting adolescent wellbeing.

Free hospital care for millions: St. Peter Specialized Hospital launched its 2026 summer volunteer program, aiming to provide free screening, consultations, and treatment to 20 million Ethiopians nationwide, with about 120,000 expected to benefit from the hospital alone. Public health leadership: WHO praised the Ethiopian Public Health Institute for 100 years of work in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, laboratory excellence, and health innovation, highlighting decades of WHO partnership. Maternal cancer fallout: WHO reports Ethiopia among the top six countries with the highest numbers of children orphaned by maternal cancer, with breast and cervical cancers driving most cases. Aid and health gaps in displacement: Tigray IDP sites face critical shortages, with food assistance often insufficient and healthcare and nutrition support lacking in about three-quarters of assessed sites, while WASH gaps persist. Water and sanitation focus at AU: Burundi’s foreign minister arrived in Addis Ababa for the AU Executive Council session on sustainable water availability and safe sanitation, linking water access to public health and broader development. Ethiopia’s AI push for health future: Ethiopia is graduating AI startup trainees trained over six months to build local capacity for practical innovations that can support national needs. One Health livestock innovation: East African scientists showcased home-grown biotech livestock solutions aimed at cutting feed costs and reducing disease and antibiotic use, with Ethiopia among participating countries.

Free care push in Ethiopia: St. Peter Specialized Hospital has launched its 2026 summer volunteer program, aiming to provide free health screening, consultations, and treatment to 20 million Ethiopians nationwide, with about 120,000 expected to benefit through the hospital alone. Public health leadership: WHO commended the Ethiopian Public Health Institute for 100 years of work in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, laboratory excellence, and health innovation, highlighting long-running WHO partnership. Cancer’s hidden toll on families: WHO reports Ethiopia is among the top six countries for children orphaned by maternal cancer, with breast and cervical cancers driving most cases. Tigray aid gaps: A site profiling report warns that Tigray IDP sites face critical shortages, with food coverage insufficient in 95% of sites and healthcare/nutrition lacking in about three-quarters. Water and sanitation at AU level: Burundi’s foreign minister arrived in Addis Ababa for the AU Executive Council session focused on sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems. AI for health systems and jobs: Ethiopia is graduating AI startup trainees from the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, as the country builds skills for future innovation. One Health livestock biotech: East African scientists showcased home-grown biotech livestock solutions to cut feed costs and curb disease and antibiotic use.

Public Health Spotlight: WHO commended the Ethiopian Public Health Institute for 100 years of disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, laboratory excellence and public health innovation, calling it a continental benchmark for health security. Cancer’s Hidden Cost: WHO reports Ethiopia is among the top six countries for children orphaned by maternal cancer, with breast and cervical cancers driving most cases. Humanitarian Health in Tigray: A site profiling report says Tigray IDP sites face critical gaps: food is often insufficient, while nutrition and healthcare are insufficient in about three-quarters of sites and WASH is insufficient in 62%. Access to Care: St. Peter Specialized Hospital launched a 2026 summer volunteer program aiming to provide free screening, consultation and treatment for 20 million Ethiopians, with 120,000 expected to benefit at the hospital. Health Workforce & Innovation: Ethiopia is graduating AI startup trainees to build national AI capacity, while East African scientists showcased biotech livestock innovations to cut feed costs and curb antibiotic use. Health Systems & Equity: Eritrea highlighted progress toward universal access, including free or low-cost care and high vaccination coverage, at an AU health summit.

AI Skills for Health Innovation: Ethiopia is graduating the first cohort of AI startup trainees from the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, with Deputy PM Temesgen Tiruneh urging graduates to turn training into practical solutions that serve national interests. Maternal Cancer’s Hidden Toll: WHO reports Ethiopia is among the top six countries for children orphaned by maternal cancer, with breast and cervical cancers driving most cases—raising urgent needs for prevention and support for affected families. Tigray Humanitarian Gaps: In Tigray displacement sites, food aid is often insufficient and healthcare and nutrition support fall short in most locations, alongside widespread WASH, education, and shelter shortages. Free Care for Millions: St. Peter Specialized Hospital launched a summer volunteer program aiming to provide free screening, consultation, and treatment to 20 million Ethiopians, including 120,000 beneficiaries at the hospital. Livestock Biotech Push: East African researchers showcased home-grown biotech for livestock—aimed at cutting feed costs and antibiotic use—after a boot camp that could unlock seed funding for promising ventures. Public Health Leadership: WHO commended the Ethiopian Public Health Institute during its centennial celebrations for disease surveillance, lab excellence, emergency preparedness, and long-term partnership. Agriculture Under Pressure: Sasakawa Africa Association warns that high input costs, insecurity, soil erosion, overgrazing, and climate stress are choking smallholder productivity, despite recent investments and training. University Abuse Allegations: Reports highlight sexual harassment and “sex-for-grades” allegations by Ethiopian university lecturers, renewing calls for safer campuses and accountability.

University Abuse Allegations: A student at Addis Ababa University says a lecturer used handwritten notes to demand sex and threatened to “ruin your life” after she resisted, adding to growing reports of harassment and “sex-for-grades” in higher education. Free Care for Millions: St. Peter Specialized Hospital launched a 2026 summer volunteer drive promising free screening, consultation and treatment for 20 million Ethiopians, with about 120,000 expected to benefit at the hospital alone. Public Health Recognition: WHO praised the Ethiopian Public Health Institute during its centennial celebrations, highlighting its disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and lab work as a regional benchmark. Eritrea Health Access: An Eritrean delegation at an AU health summit said healthcare is free or low-cost, with 80% of people living within 10 km of services and childhood vaccination coverage reaching 98%. Mental Wellness Push: BRICS health ministers backed centres of excellence for mental wellness, with NIMHANS in Bengaluru named the coordinating hub. Pharma Logistics Focus: Coverage on Africa’s pharma supply chains warns that border delays and cold-chain failures can directly affect patient outcomes, spotlighted by the DRC Ebola response. Ethiopia Investment Drive: Ethiopia’s foreign ministry says “business diplomacy” is being intensified to attract more FDI through legal and policy reforms.

Public Health Leadership: WHO commended Ethiopia’s Public Health Institute (EPHI) for its 100-year role in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, lab excellence, and health innovation, highlighting decades of WHO partnership. Regional Health Diplomacy: Eritrea shared its approach to equitable, low-cost/free healthcare at an AU Extraordinary Health Summit in Accra, citing wide access within 10 km and high childhood vaccination coverage. Mental Health in UHC: BRICS health ministers backed creating centres of excellence for mental wellness, with NIMHANS coordinating, plus a training hub network to strengthen workforce capacity. Immunization Watch: UNICEF and WHO reported modest global gains in child immunization in 2025, but “zero-dose” children remain high and drop-out rates are still a concern. Health Systems & Planning: Ethiopia’s Planning and Development Minister urged evidence-based investment decisions at the Africa Evidence Summit, pointing to strengthened national data and evidence systems. Ethiopia-US Link: An American Space opened at Hawassa University to expand learning, dialogue, and technology access in southern Ethiopia. Climate & Health Risk: El Niño’s confirmed 2026 onset raises fears of extreme weather swings that can worsen hunger and health emergencies.

BRICS Mental Health Push: BRICS health ministers meeting in Chandigarh backed new centres of excellence for mental wellness, with NIMHANS coordinating and a training hub network planned to strengthen workforce capacity and research. Ethiopia Evidence for Health Policy: Ethiopia’s Planning and Development Minister said better decisions must be grounded in data, highlighting efforts to modernize the evidence ecosystem through national surveys and a digital statistical development program. Africa Health Financing & Local Pharma: At an AU Extraordinary Health Summit in Accra, leaders called for ending AIDS and TB by 2030, cutting maternal deaths, and boosting resilient community primary care plus local pharmaceutical manufacturing, with a roadmap expected. Ebola Response Under Strain: A fast-growing Ebola outbreak in DRC has reached 2,473 confirmed cases and 999 deaths, with heavy impact on health workers and urgent pressure on containment. Immunization Gaps: WHO and UNICEF reported modest global progress in child vaccination, but “zero-dose” children remain high and drop-out rates are stagnant, raising outbreak risk. Nutrition Affordability: A UN/FAO report says 43.9 million Kenyans can’t afford a healthy diet, underscoring how food costs can drive poor health outcomes. Heat Stress on Livestock: Reports from Ethiopia’s Afar describe extreme heat harming camels, with rising dehydration, disease risk, and calf deaths—an indirect health and livelihood threat.

Ebola Response: The DRC’s fastest-ever Ebola outbreak is accelerating ahead of containment, with 2,473 confirmed cases and 999 deaths reported, including heavy losses among health workers—raising urgent alarms about gaps in care and safe burial. AU Health Leadership: African Union officials meeting in Accra called for a shift from health pledges to measurable action, stressing stronger domestic financing, local medicine and vaccine production, and resilient primary healthcare. Ethiopia–Ghana Ties: Ethiopia’s Deputy PM Temesgen Tiruneh met Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama on the sidelines of the AU Extraordinary Health Summit, highlighting cooperation and Ethiopia’s afforestation work. Immunization Watch: Global child immunization shows modest gains, but “zero-dose” children remain a concern and drop-out from vaccine schedules is still high, keeping outbreak risk elevated. Nutrition Affordability: A UN/FAO report says 43.9 million Kenyans can’t afford a healthy diet, with Ethiopia also flagged as struggling—underscoring diet-related health risks. Heat and Health Risks: Extreme heat is harming animals and livelihoods in Ethiopia’s Afar region, with camel deaths and stress linked to rising temperatures—an indirect warning for broader health and food security. Local Health Capacity: Ethiopia’s planning minister urged evidence-based policymaking at an Africa Evidence Summit, pointing to strengthened national data systems and surveys to guide investment decisions. American Space in Hawassa: The US opened an American Space at Hawassa University to expand learning and skills access in southern Ethiopia, supporting community engagement and capacity building. AHEFT Education Funding: Mastercard Foundation announced a US$500m commitment and launched the AHEFT Prize, awarding US$3m to five African universities including Addis Ababa University to expand pathways for youth.

AU Health Summit in Accra: African leaders, including Ethiopia’s Deputy PM Temesgen Tiruneh, met to push an “end AIDS and TB by 2030” agenda, cut preventable maternal deaths, and strengthen community primary healthcare, with calls to move from speeches to measurable action and more self-reliant financing and local medicine production. Ebola Alert: The fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC is outpacing response, with thousands of cases and many deaths occurring in communities that never reach care—raising pressure on safe burial and community-focused control. Hunger and Diet Costs: A UN/FAO report says Africa has more hungry people than Asia for the first time, and healthy diets remain unaffordable for huge numbers—fueling malnutrition risk across the region. Heat Stress on Livestock: Reports from Ethiopia’s Afar describe extreme temperatures harming camels, with herders losing calves and seeing dehydration, injuries, and rising disease risk. Air Pollution Watch: UNEP flags Kenya and other East African countries for air pollution above WHO guidance, linking pollution to major public health harm. Health Workforce Training: VR cataract simulators are being used to train eye surgeons faster and more safely in parts of Africa, including Ethiopia. Local Health Sovereignty: Ethiopia and AU partners stress building resilient health systems financed domestically as external aid declines.

Health Sovereignty in Focus: Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh urged African leaders to build self-reliant, resilient health systems funded increasingly from domestic resources as external aid declines, speaking at the AU Extraordinary Summit on health in Accra. AU Health Summit Agenda: The two-day meeting also targets ending AIDS by 2030, cutting preventable maternal deaths, and tackling communicable and non-communicable diseases while strengthening health systems. Ebola Border Measures Under Review: Africa CDC Director Dr Jean Kaseya asked the US to lift temporary Ebola-related entry restrictions on Uganda, citing no confirmed cases since June 21 and active surveillance and follow-up. AI Needs Power and Connectivity: An IMF report warns Sub-Saharan Africa may miss most AI benefits unless governments invest in electricity, internet access, and digital skills—otherwise gains could be minimal. Vision Training in Ethiopia: At Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, VR-based cataract simulation is helping first-year ophthalmology residents practice MSICS repeatedly before live surgery, aiming to ease specialist shortages. Nutrition and Hunger Pressure: UN reporting says Africa has overtaken Asia for hunger, with 309 million Africans facing hunger and many unable to afford a healthy diet—raising urgency for nutrition funding and local solutions. Education for Health Workforce: Mastercard Foundation launched the Africa Higher Education for Transformation (AHEFT) Prize with $500m support; Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa University is among inaugural winners receiving $3m to expand opportunity.

BRICS Health Diplomacy: India kicked off the 16th BRICS Health Ministers’ meeting in Chandigarh (July 22–24), with Ethiopia among participants, focusing on health security, pandemic preparedness, digital health, access to affordable medicines, TB, mental wellness, and traditional/complementary medicine. Healthy Lifestyles: At the same BRICS track, India’s Union Health Secretary said yoga can help prevent non-communicable and lifestyle diseases, highlighting global recognition after the UN-backed International Day of Yoga. Primary Care Push: WONCA leadership warned that many countries struggle to shift resources from hospitals to primary care, urging stronger general practice training and exchange programmes—relevant for Ethiopia’s evolving care system. Ebola Travel Restrictions: Africa CDC urged the US to lift Ebola-related entry limits on Uganda, citing no confirmed cases since June 21 and active follow-up and surveillance. Air Pollution & Health: A UNEP note flagged Kenya among countries with dangerous fine-particle pollution, and reported Ethiopia’s exposure level above WHO targets—linking pollution to major health burdens. Health Supply Chains with AI: A new report says AI is already improving procurement and inventory planning in African health systems, including Ethiopia, as funding pressures grow. Eye Care Results: Cure Blindness Project released its 2025 impact report, reporting 315,000+ sight-restoring surgeries and expanded local clinician training. Nutrition & Conflict Costs: UNICEF warned Middle East war-related shipping and price shocks could push up to 23.4 million more children into monetary poverty by end-2026.