The Global One Health initiative (GOHi) and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) have been working with the Tigray Region Health Bureau to strengthen its ability to assess, identify and analyze health risks that could affect area communities. By evaluating levels of vulnerability, identifying patterns and trends, and analyzing data, the results will be incorporated into emergency preparedness and response plans to reduce risks associated with various diseases and potential threats to public health.
In Ethiopia, risk-informed planning has been recognized as a significant milestone within the Public Health Emergency Management system. Since its launch in March 2021, this initiative has emerged as a transformative and innovative government flagship program with more than 400 districts in Ethiopia implementing risk-informed planning nationwide.
As part of this work, GOHi conducted a workshop in early March in Mekelle to assess and quantify vulnerabilities, risks and existing capacities to provide or perform essential health services within communities as well as the health system. The risk assessment targeted priority hazards in the war-affected Tigray region, which included Anthrax and Rabies, both of which are high-consequence pathogens monitored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This project is supported through the U.S. CDC-funded cooperative agreement, Advancing Ethiopia’s Capacity for Laboratory, Workforce Development, Surveillance, and Emergency Management to Meet International Health Regulations Requirements. The project aims to enhance Ethiopia’s emergency response capabilities, improve the detection of health threats, strengthen diagnostic capacities, and develop a skilled healthcare workforce.