PRESS RELEASE
October 04, 2016

ETHIOPIAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION SET TO HOST ITS 28TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ‘ONWARD’ FEBRUARY 19-22, 2016 IN HARARI REGION, ETHIOPIA

The Ethiopian Public Health Association (EPHA), in collaboration with the Harai National Regional State Health Bureau and Haramaya University will convene its 28th annual conference, from February 19-22, 2017 in Harar town, Ethiopia.

The main theme of the conference is:

“Public Health Challenges and Responses in Ethiopia: Opportunities and Prospects “with five sub-themes:

1. Health Sector Transformation Agenda

2. Existing, Emerging and Re-emerging Public Heath Challenges

3. Public Healthcare Readiness and Response in Ethiopia

4. Global Health Security

5. Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Healthcare Coverage

Panel Discussion, oral and poster presentations, and concurrent sessions will bring the main and subtheme topics into discussion.

More than 1,000 participants from various sites including universities; invited guests, advocates, researchers, health professionals, EPHA members, and other stakeholders from all over the country and abroad are expected to attend this conference and discuss on public health issues.

The pre-conference session and the official opening ceremony will be held on February 19, 2017.

Registration is open.

Guideline of Poster and Oral Presentations

Author Guidelines

1. Guideline of Poster Presentations

The poster board provided is approximately 90 cm height by 60 cm width. Please limit the size of your entire poster or poster sections with the specified length.

Be sure to include the abstract title, author names, and the institution where the work was completed, in large letters centered at the top of the poster. Place your address, phone number and email address in the upper right-hand corner. Your contact information is not mandatory.

We suggest that you place a reproduction of the abstract in the upper left side of the poster, and use the headings "Introduction", "Methods", "Results" and "Conclusions" to identify your poster layout. Include an acknowledgment section, containing anyone who helped you conduct this project/research.

Lay your poster sections in a logical order so that other scientists can follow your presentation. A good method is setting up your poster in a column format so that individuals interested can read your poster, 1st vertical, then top to bottom, and then left to right.

Use a type size that can be read easily from a considerable distance (4 feet or more). Try using a type between 14-20 pt. The title should be larger than the rest of the text. Select a legible font such as Times Roman, Times New Roman.

Space your information proportionally: divide your poster either horizontally or vertically into three or four sections, and place your materials within those spaces. Like a layout of a magazine.

Come prepared with any relevant handouts you may wish to share and business cards to hand out.

When choosing a background, remember that neutral or gray colors will be easier on the eyes than a bright color. In addition, color photos look best when mounted on gray.

The presentation number assigned to the poster presentation should not be placed on your poster. The poster boards will be numbered for you.

No computers or extra aids may be used during a poster presentation.

Posters should stimulate discussion, not give a long presentation. Therefore, keep text to a minimum, emphasize graphics, and make sure every item in your poster is necessary.

Poster presenters are expected to publish their poster with their own expense as per the guidance provided.

Try not to stand directly in front of your poster, allow other scientists to view the entire poster. Stand to the side.

Keep your poster presentation to ~10 minutes per visitor/judge.

2. Guideline of Oral Presentations

Graphics you project on the screen should provide the visual information/photos your audience needs to understand as regards your message. Make sure tables, graphs, charts are labeled. Make sure your presentation is visible in a size of 100 seats. Graphs, charts and diagrams shouldn’t be complex. Keep them CLEAR and SIMPLE.

Vary the size of lettering to emphasize headings and subheadings - but avoid using more than three font sizes in your presentation.

Keep color scheme consistent throughout your presentation. Changing colors and type styles can be very confusing and distract from your message.

Arial type is typically more clean and legible.

Each slide should have a title.

Most effective background colors - blue, turquoise, purple, magenta. A good rule of thumb: use a dark background color with lighter color for text and graphics. Avoid intensely bright or saturated colors that compete with the text. You can never go wrong with black on white or white or yellow on dark blue.

Laser pointers will not be available, you may bring your own if you would like to use one.

You are expected to submit your final presentation to EPHA two weeks before the conference.

Identify your presentation room from EPHA annual program book. The EPHA staffs will assist you in uploading your presentation. Rooms will be equipped with a computer and LCD project.

Practice, practice, practice.

Prepare for potential questions.

When asked a question during your presentation, repeat the question so that the entire audience knows what the question is.

Make sure your presentation is prepared for 10 minutes presentation and 5 minutes for questions and answers.

Start here to submit a paper to this conference.

STEP ONE OF THE SUBMISSION PROCESS

Press Release from the Executive Board of the Ethiopian Public Health Association (EPHA)

Move forward!

We believe that no one can talk about Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’s contribution in public health than the Ethiopian Public Health Association (EPHA).

We know Dr. Ghebreyesus as member of the EPHA, as a strategic partner, and as a public health professional indeed. Certainly, we are not mistaken then in 2003 by recognizing and awarding him EPHA annual Young Public Health Researcher Award.

We take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to his boundless efforts in making a dream has come true to creating a healthier Ethiopia, Africa and the World at large. The struggle throughout his way in promoting the outstanding public health service was difficult. The road he faced was not easy. And yet we can count enormous achievements that EPHA attained during his leadership era.

Among his contributions and relentless efforts for Public Health, shines the selection of Ethiopia to host the largest International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA 2011).

The conference assembled over 10,000 delegates from around the world who were working in the fields of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. They include political leaders, scientists, the academia, donors, UN agencies, program managers, and civil society representatives. Former United States President, George W. Bush and former Botswana’s President Festus Mogae were among the high profile dignitaries in attendance.  His painstaking advocacy and mobilization of the various state and non-state actors both at home and aboard has assured all-inclusive and fruitful deliberations.

Dr Ghebreyesus made proud all who took part in organizing the conference by his acceptance of a trophy from the Society for AIDS in Africa in 2013 for his unparalleled contributions to the fight against HIV in the continent and beyond.

The 13^th World Congress on Public Health (WCPH) is also another global event that Dr Ghebreyesus had left his leadership footprint where EPHA took the challenge of hosting prominent global and regional public health researchers, scholars and practitioners here in Addis Ababa in 2012. Over 3,000 delegates from around the globe attended the congress and deliberated on issues with current and future global public health importance and significance.

Dr Ghebreyesus played a pivotal role for the establishment of the African Federation of Public Health Associations (AFPHA). His move to Foreign Affairs Ministry however did not stop his engagement in advancing public health. But triggered to continuing his contributions at a higher level by facilitating AFPHA to secure its legal registration and opening its first ever headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 

The Health Extension Program (HEP) and the Heath Development Army (HDA) concept were initiated and developed by Dr Ghebreyesus and now vastly expanding beyond the territory. He also spearheaded the reduction of under-five mortality and achievements of MDGs in Ethiopia. Reduction in the incidence of HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases are attributable to his leadership. 

If words and time allow a lot can be said about his commitment and dedication to marching all mankind towards a healthier world by bringing together all stakeholders and ensuring no one is left behind.

EPHA is not only self-assured and supportive for the candidacy of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus for the Director-General position of the World Health Organization, but also confident that both developed and developing countries alike will get the right person and at the right time that could provide leadership at the highest level to address health issues of current and future importance and significance for our globe.

EPHA wants to say Move Forward Together for a Healthier World!