ADDIS ABABA — Results for Development CEO and President Gina Lagomarsino met with Ethiopia State Minister of Health Dr. Dereje Duguma and Ministry of Health staff on February 6, 2024 to discuss the organization’s work in the country, as well as the ministry’s current priorities and efforts in health care financing, sustainable nutrition financing, supply system and essential service integration into routine health care such as rehabilitation services and neglected tropical diseases.
Also in attendance from R4D were Ethiopia Country Director Yosef Alemu, Program Director Yewedalem (Yodi) Tesfaye and Senior Program Officer Dr. Fitsume Kibret.
Dr. Duguma addressed several triumphs for Ethiopia’s health system, such as strong enrollment in the country’s community-based health insurance — 54 million people — plus the launches of a comprehensive health extension program in select health posts and operating rooms in select health centers, two efforts designed to bring basic clinical and surgical services closer to the community.
Dr. Duguma also acknowledged a series of challenges facing those health care initiatives and the broader system, including supply chain issues, the availability of certain drugs and medical equipment, and sustainable financing.
Ms. Lagomarsino shared her appreciation for the partnerships between R4D, the Ethiopian government and the Ministry of Health and reflected on the substantial outcomes already achieved as a result of that work. Mr. Alemu and Ms. Tesfaye offered insight into R4D’s efforts in Ethiopia with specific regard to financing, health service and innovation integration, market shaping and using data for decision making.
The Ministry of Health voiced its continued interest in collaborating with R4D in the following areas:
- Resource mobilization for the Seqota Declaration plan, which aims to end child undernutrition in Ethiopia by 2030.
- Scaling an Addis Ababa early childhood development (ECD) center into other cities.
- A public-private partnership to expand the availability of non-communicable disease and specialty rehabilitation services through private health care facilities.
- Demonstrating and expanding basic rehabilitation service integration into primary health care units.
- Capacity building for evidence-informed advocacy efforts with key sectors and decision-makers to increase resource allocation to the health sector.
- Holding those key sectors and decision-makers accountable for their commitments.
- Hybrid provider payment mechanisms designed to build strategic health care purchasing practices in Ethiopia.
R4D has worked with the Government of Ethiopia since 2008 supporting officials with their goals to increase access to quality health care and education and to reduce malnutrition. Critical gains have been made around increasing access to life-saving medicines and mobilizing domestic funds for high-impact malnutrition interventions.
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About Results for Development
Results for Development (R4D) is a leading nonprofit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — supporting them as they navigate complex change processes to achieve large-scale, equitable outcomes in health, education and nutrition. We work with country leaders to diagnose challenges, co-create, innovate and implement solutions built on evidence and diverse stakeholder input, and engage in learning to adapt, iterate and improve. We also strengthen global, regional and country ecosystems to support country leaders with expertise, evidence, and innovations. R4D helps country leaders solve their immediate challenges today, while also strengthening systems and institutions to address tomorrow’s challenges. And we share what we learn so others around the world can achieve results for development too. www.R4D.org
