ADDIS ABABA — The administration is advancing multiple expansion projects aimed at promoting medical tourism in Ethiopia, according to the Addis Ababa City Administration Mayor Adanech Abiebie.
During a graduation ceremony at Adwa Museum for Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, the mayor highlighted ongoing healthcare infrastructure developments, including expansions at Zewditu, Menelik II, and Tirunesh Beijing hospitals.
She also noted the construction of new healthcare facilities in sub-cities such as Kolfe Keranio and Nifas Silk-Lafto. These initiatives, she stated, are part of the administration’s broader goal of enhancing healthcare services.
The mayor also pointed to corridor development projects designed to improve public health and environmental conditions in the city, aligning with plans to position Addis Ababa as a leading capital in Africa. Additionally, she emphasized the government’s focus on public-private partnerships to address gaps in modern medical equipment.
Adanech acknowledged the crucial role of medical colleges in training skilled professionals, urging graduates to fulfill their responsibilities with integrity. She also affirmed the administration’s commitment to supporting Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College in its efforts to achieve university status.
The Addis Ababa City Administration’s Health Bureau Head Yohanees Chala (MD) noted the government’s ongoing collaboration with and support for private healthcare institutions, alongside efforts to strengthen public health systems.
He highlighted the government’s focus on both implementing health proclamations and prioritizing treatment and healing initiatives.
Yohanees outlined the bureau’s work to ensure equitable and quality healthcare services, which align with both national and international healthcare goals. He also mentioned the positive impact of digitizing the healthcare information system, which has enhanced service delivery. In addition, he reported that two new healthcare facilities are under construction, with ongoing expansion projects at existing institutions.
This year, the city administration allocated one billion Birr to a health insurance program that will benefit 2.5 million residents.
Yohanees emphasized the critical need for skilled professionals to deliver modern healthcare services and encouraged graduates to contribute to the nation’s health objectives.
Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College Provost Anteneh Meteku(MD) shared that the college offers training in 19 fields and has earned quality accreditation. He highlighted efforts to transition the institution into a university and emphasized its research contributions to the health sector.
The college recently celebrated its eighth graduation ceremony for general medicine students, its third for specialization programs, and its first for sub-specialization programs. In total, Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College graduated 186 students in fields such as pediatrics, internal medicine, gynecology, healthcare quality, and reproductive health.
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 23 MARCH 2025
