EPHA and EAS organize panel discussion on EVD outbreak

The Ethiopian Public Health Association (EPHA) in collaboration with the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS) organized and conducted apanel discussion on the current Ebola outbreak on November 19, 2014 at Ghion Hotel, Addis Ababa.

Professor Masresha Fetene, Executive Director of EAS, and S/r Fikirte Belete, Vice President of EPHA, warmly welcomed the guests and participants of the panel discussion on behalf of their respective organizations. They also appreciated the commitment and preparedness of the government to prevent an Ebola outbreak in Ethiopia.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Taye Tolera, Head of State Minister’s Office and Advisor at the Federal Ministry of Health noted that Ebola is causing serious socio-economic and political repercussions particularly in West African countries affected by the outbreak.

He stressed that no incidence of EVD has been reported in Ethiopia so far and dwelt at length on the prevention and control measures being taken by the government of Ethiopia to preempt an Ebola outbreak in the country.

Several presentations were made on the occasion by various panelists including internist, Dr. Admasu Tena (Internist; at the College of Health Sciences, AAU),   Dr. Tewabech Bishaw AFPHA Secretary General, Dr. Yeras-work  Admasie Sociologist at the Addis Ababa University and Dr. Daddi Jimma, Deputy Director of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute. The sessions were moderated by Dr Takele Geresu (EPHA Board member) and Prof Sileshi LulSeged (The health sector president of EAS).

A joint position paper developed by the Ethiopia Public Health Association (EPHA) and the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS) regarding the current Ebola outbreak was read out by Dr. Hailegnaw Eshete, Executive Director of EPHA, at the conclusion of the half-day panel discussion attended by more than 400 Participants.

EPHA signs agreement for construction of its own complex building

The Ethiopian Public Health Association (EPHA) has signed a contract agreement with Giga Construction plc. for the construction of its complex building here in Addis Ababa.

Dr. Filimona Bisrat, President of EPHA and Ato  Gebrehiwot Girmay, General Manager of Giga Construction plc. signed the contract agreement on behalf of their respective organizations on the 3^rd of October 2014, at EPHA conference hall. 

On the occasion, Dr Hailegnaw Eshetie, Executive Director of EPHA, noted that EPHA went through a long journey in order to start the actual construction of this building. Now, he said, after many ups and downs EPHA is able to sign the agreement with Giga.

Ato Gebrehiwot on his part said that his company has over 18 years of experience in the construction sector and expressed the company’s commitment to construct and complete EPHA’s complex as per the required specification and standard. 

During the signing ceremony, Dr. Tewabech Bishaw, Secretary of EPHA’s Advisory Council, congratulated the Giga constriction plc. for being selected to construct such a historical building, which is expected to serve as a center of excellence for learning, training and research.

Dr. Tewabech added that the construction of the building is expected to immensely contribute to the efforts geared towards improving and upgrading the status of public health in Ethiopia and in Africa as well.

Dr Filimona finally thanked the Federal Ministry of Health, the MH Engineering Plc., the Resource Mobilization Committee as well as EPHA’s Advisory Council, Board members and the staff in general for their valuable and continued support for the construction of the building.

Estimated to cost 100 million Birr, EPHA’s building will be constructed on a total of 885 Sq. meter area.

Joint Statement of the Ethiopia Academy of Sciences (EAS) and the Ethiopian Public Health Association (EPHA) on the Current Situation of Ebola Virus Disease

Please click the link below to read position paper  in Amharic or English languages 

Amharic position paper

English position paper

 EFETP welcomes 6th Cohort Residents

The Ethiopian Field Epidemiology and Training Program (EFETP) 6th cohort residents welcoming program has been conducted on November 3, 2014 at the Addis Ababa University, School of Public Health.

A total of 18 residents are recruited from various regions of SNNPR, Oromia, Afar, Amhara, Somali and Addis Ababa.

In his keynote address, Dr. Wakgari Deressa, Dean of School of Public Health (SPH), welcomed the residents and delivered a brief presentation on the program accomplishments.

Dr. Hailegnaw Eshete, Executive Director of EPHA, noted on the occasion that EPHA is pleased to implement this program in collaboration with other partners. Furthermore, he urges all the residents to be members of EPHA and support the goal of the Association.

CDC-Ethiopia representative, Joseph L. Malone, Medical Officer and Resident Advisor, said on his part that CDC-Ethiopia is privileged to take part in EFETP and share experiences. He also called on the residents to play an important role in the improvement of the Ethiopian public health emergency management system.

Dr. Fikre Enqusellassie, Director of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology in SPH, welcomed once again the residents and urged them to exert maximum efforts to successfully accomplish their study.

EFETP is aimed at producing professionals, who are responsible to strengthen the Ethiopian public health emergency management system through employing epidemic investigation, emergency response and surveillance. Since the launch of the program in 2009, a total of 65 health professionals have been graduated and deployed back to their duty.

The EFETP is a partnership program between the Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa University School of Public Health, the Ethiopian Public Health Association and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).