Since understanding personal demands, collective interrogations and nationally impacted dynamics is significantly useful in bringing about change not only in the health sector but also in the whole trajectory of nation, the government has made doors open to genuine and democratically presented queries; and it has made itself ready to address the challenges that face the health sector through close consultations and amicable ways.
Cognizant of the fact that capitalizing on the health sector can be very profitable and rewarding as the industry is experiencing significant growth and offers diverse opportunities for investment and innovation, Ethiopia is working hard to boost the health sector and other related dimensions. As the growth of the health sector is driven by factors like increasing healthcare needs, technological advancements and immense public demand, the government of Ethiopia is doing all its best to address challenges from which the health sector is suffering.
As cording to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the government is allocating nearly 130 billion Birr to the health sector in Ethiopia. Such a daring step has clearly revealed the firm commitment of the government towards enhancing the effectiveness of the health sector. As to him, just a few years back, the budget specifically allocated to health was around 70 billion birr; and now it has increased to nearly 130 billion birr.
As deducted from the positive utterances of Premier, despite the growing budget for health, it remains inadequate compared to the current needs and various quests here and there. Be that as it may, the government has been attaching due emphasis to the issues related to the health sector and gradually address queries coming out of the health professionals and the demands of the sector itself.
True, the Ethiopian government has consistently made efforts to enhance the overall public health of the nation; of course, the Premier stated adding that the efficiency of public health services and investment in healthcare resources are significantly useful in soothing hurdles and shortage of healthcare resources.
These and other problems can easily be abated if the health sector professional and other development partners are willing to work in collaboration with the government. This can also be fostered by holding close talks, frank consultative forums and forwarding ideas as genuinely and democratically as possible.
A case in point, the Premier held a consultation with professionals in the health sector to explore existing gaps, address challenges, as well as highlight progress and opportunities. A number of constructive suggestions and important inputs have been secured along that line.
These wide-ranging consultations with stakeholders and professionals across the country are of paramount importance in fostering inclusive national engagement and fueling the effort geared towards producing competent and productive posterity via expanding the provision of quality health service.
Government’s expenditure on healthcare even surpasses that of any neighboring countries, said the Premier adding that no other neighboring nation invests as heavily in health sector construction as Ethiopia does. This by itself magnifies the steady commitment of the government to wholeheartedly back the sector.
Interestingly, considerable attention has been directed towards the health sector as of the inception of policy reforms aimed at the domestic production of medical supplies and medicines. These boulevards help the country stand on its own two feet.
In a nutshell, the healthcare reform is part of Ethiopia’s larger journey toward self-reliance, dignity and modernization. Not only are health professionals expected to be recipients of change but active participants in shaping a system that serves both current and future generations. Yes, addressing health professionals’ queries, producing its own medicines, working closely with the government and ministry of health, peculiarly for health professionals, is an imperative step. In simple terms, the government of Ethiopia is highly dedicated to provide genuine quests of health professionals with sincere feedback so as to make a difference.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 24 JUNE 2025
