The Global One Health initiative (GOHi) is the recipient of a Certificate of Recognition from the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) for its work in strengthening laboratory capacity in Ethiopia. The federal ministry and EPHI recognized various institutes for their exceptional contributions during the 8th Annual National Health Laboratory Forum held July 4-5 in Addis Ababa..
Through the IHR-CARES project, GOHi built the capacity of five molecular diagnostic laboratories to detect respiratory and other pathogens in Adama, Addis Ababa, Arba Minch and Bahir Dar. The project procured advanced equipment, including PCR systems, ancillary lab equipment, reagents and consumables through the financial support of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This project also provided capacity-building support, including training and laboratory mentorship.
GOHi also engaged five influenza labs, including the EPHI National Influenza Center, to implement laboratory Quality Management Support. These labs provide influenza testing and continue implementing quality management systems toward accreditation.
GOHi, through the GHSA and IHR projects, extended emergency support and played an important role in restoring nine hospital laboratories in the Amhara and Afar regions affected by the conflict. This support included automated clinical chemistry and hematology machines, other lab equipment and reagents and consumables. Through the CDC-funded antimicrobial resistance project, GOHi is working with two hospitals and the EPHI to enhance the capacity of phenotypic and genotypic detection of multidrug-resistant enterpobacterales with a particular focus on carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant enterobacterales (CP-CRE) at the Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Zewditu Memorial Hospital and the EPHI's National Microbiology Reference Laboratory. In addition, GOHi and the CDC provided training courses to enhance the capacity of technical staff at hospitals and the EPHI and provide routine detection of CP-CRE isolates.