Setting up for EpiGen Ethiopia - A Site Visit to the Ethiopian Public Health Institute
In late 2023, Cem Koyuncu (PharmAccess) and Alloys Koloo (KEMRI) visited Ethiopia for a facility tour and site visit of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) located in Addis Ababa. Given their expertise from the DIDIDA project, the pair travelled to help EPHI and the Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) team pinpoint any existing gaps within the technical environments of these facilities. The main task was to determine the best, most effective, and efficient means of gathering data from the 330 targeted facilities which will do the epidemiological surveilling for the EpiGen Ethiopia project.
Cem and Alloys also met with many stakeholder groups such as PHEM data entry officers and genomic researchers. A notable meeting between Cem and Alloys was with Keneni Eshetu, CEO of Mikliland Health Center, and Dr. Abnet, an Advisor for the Ethiopian Ministry of Health. Cem noted,
“The visit was highly enriching. We engaged in deep, thought-provoking discussions about Ethiopia's healthcare system, drawing parallels and sharing insights from the Kenyan perspective. The camaraderie and openness we experienced with our Ethiopian colleagues were truly remarkable. Observing the daily operations and challenges faced by the PHEM staff was invaluable, particularly in understanding the distinct challenges in urban versus rural settings. These insights will be instrumental in addressing the specific needs of urban health facilities.”
With grateful hearts, Cem and Alloys experienced the trademark warmth, hospitality, and openness that is embedded in Ethiopian culture. The amount of effort and work that EPHI/PHEM as well as other organizations taking part in the project have already put in makes us even more confident of this project. The involved organizations have expressed their openness to collaboration and to deliver constructive feedback, both of which are critical in EpiGen’s future success. We are hopeful that this openness will improve the public health response of Ethiopia and subsequently, the rest of the world.