AGP Executive Report

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.

Refugee health integration: Ethiopia has launched “Makatet,” a five-year plan to fully integrate refugees into national education and health systems, and support employment and economic independence—shifting the regional view from treating forced migrants only as victims to seeing them as people with rights and potential. AU health summit: Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh arrived in Accra for the AU Extraordinary Summit on Health, where leaders are expected to push health sovereignty, universal health coverage, and action on HIV/AIDS, TB, maternal and child mortality, and local pharma manufacturing. Traditional medicine cooperation: India hosted BRICS Health Ministers’ talks on traditional, complementary and integrative medicine, with Ethiopia among participants, aiming to set up a BRICS expert working group and promote evidence-based approaches. Eye-care impact: Cure Blindness Project released its 2025 impact report, citing more than 315,000 sight-restoring surgeries and expanded training and community screening to strengthen eye health systems. Health supply chains and AI: A new report urges faster AI adoption to improve African health supply chains, pointing to reported procurement savings and faster planning in countries including Ethiopia. Public health alerts: Curaçao’s health ministry urged travelers to get yellow fever vaccination as cases rise in South America, noting new spread to areas previously not reporting infections. Nutrition pressure: A UN report says global hunger fell in 2025, but Africa still has the world’s largest number of undernourished people, with climate and trade risks threatening progress.

Ethiopia’s AI push: Ethiopia has signed on as a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), with the government saying it will support safer, fairer global AI governance and digital transformation. Tobacco control funding: Ethiopia and Addis Ababa have adopted dedicated budgets for tobacco control, including a federal line for the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority and city funding for enforcement through health regulatory bodies. Health workforce and training: The Mastercard Foundation’s AHEFT Prize launched with a $500m commitment, and the University of Rwanda won $3m for “Excellence in Health,” highlighting community-based training reaching hundreds of thousands. AMECEA youth focus: Eastern Africa Catholic bishops meeting in Kenya set young people as their top pastoral priority for the next four years, with sessions covering mental health, safeguarding, unemployment, migration and digital-age evangelization. Antibiotic resistance rethink: A new public-health angle warns that fighting microbes like a “war” won’t work, pushing instead for managing relationships with bacteria and tackling resilient biofilms. Sudan spillover risk: Reporting warns Sudan’s conflict is destabilizing the wider region, including fears of violence reaching Ethiopia through refugee flows and cross-border militia activity. Travel health reminder: Spain’s health ministry urges travellers to book travel-clinic consultations weeks ahead and plan for vaccinations and medication needs.

AI & Digital Health Governance: Ethiopia signed the founding agreement to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), aiming for AI that is safe, fair, and beneficial—an important signal for the country’s digital transformation and future health-tech capacity. Youth Mental Health & Protection: Eastern Africa Catholic bishops meeting in the AMECEA plenary in Kenya named young people as their top pastoral priority for the next four years, with study sessions covering mental health, unemployment, migration, social exclusion, and safeguarding—issues that directly affect community wellbeing. Tobacco Control Funding: Ethiopia and Addis Ababa adopted budgets with dedicated tobacco-control funding, including a federal line for the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority and city support for health regulation—backing earlier progress to reduce tobacco use. Maternal Health & Abortion Access: Reports highlight rising pressure on abortion access in Africa as U.S. antiabortion funding restrictions expand, raising concerns about unsafe abortions and maternal deaths. Nutrition Safety: A U.S. audit found rotten “super cereal” shipments stored in Djibouti and sent to Ethiopia without proper checks, underscoring risks to child nutrition programs when oversight fails. Wildlife & Community Conservation: Ethiopia marked the 60th anniversary of its Wildlife Conservation Authority, with global conservation expert Dr. Laurie Marker stressing that conservation must protect both wildlife and the people living alongside it.

Tobacco Control Funding: Ethiopia and Addis Ababa have adopted budgets with dedicated tobacco-control funding, including a federal line for EFDA and city resources for health regulation—an important step toward sustained public health action. Water & Health Access: A Moyale community is getting cleaner water through an automated, card-based water point that cuts long queues and helps reduce waterborne illness risk. Nutrition & Child Health: A rural Ethiopia story highlights how severe diarrhea can quickly spiral into acute malnutrition when antenatal care and nutrition support are missing, underscoring the need for stronger maternal and child health services. IMF Review & Living Costs: The IMF’s fifth review unlocked new Ethiopia funding, but the piece warns that reforms may not quickly stabilize daily life amid price pressures and tightening credit. Sports & Health Equity: Messi’s World Cup legacy is tied to heart-surgery support for children, including an Ethiopian patient—showing how medical philanthropy can reach families far from advanced care. Conservation & Community: Ethiopia marks the 60th anniversary of its Wildlife Conservation Authority, with global conservation expert Dr. Laurie Marker stressing that protection must include local people. Digital Agriculture for Food Security: Coverage of AI-enabled early-warning and smart farm systems points to practical tools that can reduce climate and crop risks—relevant for Ethiopia’s food security goals.

Tobacco Control Funding: Ethiopia and Addis Ababa have adopted budgets with dedicated tobacco-control money, including a federal line for EFDA and city funding for health regulation and sub-cities—an important step toward cutting tobacco use. Wildlife Conservation & Community: Ethiopia marks the 60th anniversary of its Wildlife Conservation Authority, with global cheetah expert Dr. Laurie Marker set to discuss conservation models that protect wildlife while keeping local livelihoods in focus. Food & Nutrition Safety: A USAID audit flags rotten “super cereal” stored in poor conditions in Djibouti and later found infested after being shipped to Ethiopia—raising concerns about how emergency infant nutrition supplies are handled. Water Access for Health: Action Against Hunger reports a new ATM-enabled clean water point in Moyale, cutting the time and disease burden linked to unsafe river water. Health in Conflict & Displacement: A report highlights how refugee children in Kakuma face dangers beyond the border—calling for real protection, including healthcare, education, counselling, and safe living. Reproductive Health Policy Shock: Coverage warns that new US anti-abortion funding restrictions could disrupt reproductive health support across Africa, where maternal mortality and unsafe abortion risks are already high.

Tobacco Control Funding: Ethiopia and Addis Ababa have adopted budgets with dedicated tobacco-control money, including over 23 million birr for EFDA and about 120 million birr for city health regulators, a boost for sustained efforts to cut tobacco use. Child Protection in Displacement: A report from Kakuma highlights that refugee children fleeing war still face abuse, exploitation, neglect, trafficking and hunger, calling for education, healthcare, counselling and safe living conditions. FGM Legal Push: Courts and WHO data are spotlighting FGM as a public health and rights issue, with 4.5 million girls at risk in 2026 and serious lifelong complications. Maternal Health & Reproductive Rights: The US expands restrictions on funding for abortion-related work overseas, raising concerns for maternal health in sub-Saharan Africa where unsafe abortion and maternal deaths remain high. Water & Nutrition Access: Stories from rural Ethiopia show how clean water and better nutrition access can prevent repeated illness and severe malnutrition, including diarrhea-linked cases. Food Aid Accountability: A USAID audit flags rotten “super cereal” stored improperly in Djibouti and found infested after being shipped onward, underscoring risks to child nutrition programs. Plant Health for Food Security: FAO and partners launched a wider Africa phytosanitary programme in Addis Ababa, training specialists to reduce crop pest risks and improve export compliance. Wildlife Conservation & Communities: Ethiopia marks 60 years of its Wildlife Conservation Authority, with global cheetah expert Dr. Laurie Marker emphasizing conservation that works with local people.

Water & Health Access: Action Against Hunger helped families in Moyale access clean water via an ATM-style automated water point, cutting long unsafe journeys and reducing diarrhea and waterborne illness risk. Nutrition & Food Security: AU-IBAR praised Ethiopia’s “Bounty of the Basket” initiative for boosting milk, eggs, honey, fruits and vegetables, urging wider support for pastoral communities. Maternal & Child Health: A Reporter Magazine account from rural Benishangul-Gumuz links severe childhood diarrhea to acute malnutrition, highlighting gaps in antenatal care and micronutrient awareness. Climate Displacement: New reporting says over 250 million people have been displaced by climate disasters since 2015, with Ethiopia among countries where climate risks overlap with conflict. Public Health & Policy: WHO opened its Global Internship Programme to all member states, including African applicants, offering hands-on roles across headquarters and country offices. Reproductive Rights: AP reports U.S. anti-abortion funding restrictions could reshape reproductive health services across Africa, with fears for maternal outcomes. Health Systems & Care: Ethiopia-focused research highlights multidisciplinary palliative care’s impact on symptom burden and quality of life for advanced cancer patients.