As part of the International Health Regulation (IHR)-U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Global One Health initiative (GOHi) helped establish four molecular diagnostic laboratories for influenza and other respiratory pathogens testing in Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Arba Minch and Adama.

In collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MOH), Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Amhara, Addis Ababa City Administration, Oromia and South Ethiopia Regional Health Bureaus, these labs aim to strengthen the national infectious disease surveillance system.

GOHi undertook various activities, including procuring and providing a molecular diagnostics system (PCR machines) and ancillary laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables and leading capacity-building training and technical support for the four laboratories. These efforts increase the number of influenza laboratories from one to five in the country and significantly strengthen the national public health program.

All four labs have a testing capacity for influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory infections and have started testing services for Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses/Influenza Like Illnesses (SARI/ILI) and COVID-19 virus pathogens.

The three laboratories in Bahir Dar, Addis Ababa and Adama have been officially inaugurated in the presence of officials from the MOH, EPHI, Regional Health Bureaus and GOHi Eastern Africa office. The remaining lab in Arba Minch will be officially inaugurated in September 2022.