Ethiopia strengthens Digital Public Health Emergency Management with Electronic Public Health Emergency Management (ePHEM) training
The Electronic Public Health Emergency Management (ePHEM) Training of Trainers (TOT) sessions were organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) Ethiopia in collaboration with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), the Ministry of Health (MoH), and Regional Health Bureaus (RHBs), with financial support from the European Union (EU) and partners such as Resolve to Save Lives.
The training aimed to strengthen Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) through the ePHEM platform. The first session, held from February 10–16, 2025, brought together 55 participants, while the second session, from February 17–21, 2025, focused on 17 IT administrators and data managers to support system customization and implementation at all levels.
This training is a key step in the digitization of public health emergency management, improving real-time data collection, analysis, and response. By integrating ePHEM with DHIS2 and other digital health tools, Ethiopia is enhancing data-driven decision-making and public health emergency preparedness, ensuring a more efficient and timely response to health threats.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Ethiopia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Driving through barriers: Joan Kaitesi's journey on male-dominated roads
In the heart of Uganda's capital, 35-year-old Joan Kaitesi navigates the city's infamous traffic jams with calm determination. As a driver for the World Health Organization (WHO) Uganda country office, Joan's professionalism shines through the daily chaos of blaring horns and impatient road users. From a young age, Joan was captivated by vehicles. Inspired by action films and a childhood dream of driving tanks in war zones, Joan's fascination with big vehicles set her apart. While society often labelled her interests as 'masculine,' Joan remained steadfast, determined to forge a path in a field traditionally dominated by men. 'Being one of the older children at home, I had to act as a role model to my siblings in a challenging environment. This pushed me to work hard and never despise any job, including roles commonly reserved for men, which led me to join the driving discipline,' shares Joan, the second-born in a family of six (three girls and three boys). Her professional journey began in 2015 at the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), where she stood out as the only female among 15 applicants. Despite initial intimidation, Joan's skills and determination earned her the role, making her the first female driver at IDI. She later joined Chemonics International for five years, and then UN Women, where she expanded her responsibilities to include assisting expatriates with documentation and protocol duties. In October 2024, Joan joined WHO Uganda during a polio immunization campaign, becoming the second female driver at the country office. Joan's journey has not been without obstacles. She has faced gender stereotypes and skepticism from male colleagues and road users alike. Yet, she has consistently proven her capabilities through quick decision-making, time management, and a strong commitment to safety and professionalism. One of her most memorable moments came in 2021, during a circumcision campaign in Karamoja. When a nurse was suddenly unavailable due to an emergency, Joan stepped in to assist, showcasing her adaptability and dedication to service. Joan draws inspiration from trailblazing Ugandan women such as Justice Julia Sebutinde of the International Court of Justice and Jennifer Musisi, the first Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority. These role models have shown her that women can thrive in male-dominated spaces. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Transport and Logistics Management from Makerere University Business School, along with training in 4x4 defensive driving, first aid, and other relevant skills. Currently, Joan is pursuing further education in the same field, with the goal of becoming a fleet officer. She encourages young women to be resilient, professional, and open to continuous learning. Outside of work, Joan is a passionate advocate for healthy living. She works out three to four times a week and enjoys dancing, whether there's music or not. She also finds joy in gardening, often talking to her plants as she tends to them. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization - Uganda.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
African Leaders, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and Partners Unite in Bold Drive to Fight Cholera
In a historic demonstration of political resolve and continental unity, twenty African Union (AU) Member States affected by cholera convened on 4 June 2025 for a high-level virtual meeting, following a call by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and under the leadership of H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia and AU Champion on Cholera. The meeting brought together ten Heads of State and Vice-Presidents—representing Angola, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe—alongside Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers of Health, Finance, and Water and Sanitation. Global health partners, including WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, the Global Fund, and others, also participated to forge a united front in the fight against cholera. As of May 2025, Africa has reported approximately 130,000 cholera cases and 2,700 deaths, representing 60% of global reported cases and an alarming 93.5% of cholera-related deaths. Angola, the DRC, Sudan, and South Sudan remain among the most severely affected. In his opening address, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, called for bold leadership and systemic change: 'The people of Africa are watching. They expect bold, coordinated, and unwavering leadership that puts their health and dignity first. This crisis demands action at the highest political level. Only through the direct engagement of our Heads of State can we drive the elimination of cholera by 2030. This requires a continental shift—strong national leadership, domestic investment, integrated national actions, and regional coordination. We must also break the cycle of dependency by accelerating vaccine manufacturing and ensuring equitable access to life-saving tools.' H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union, underscored the need for transformative investments: 'To tackle this disease, we must invest robustly in water, sanitation, and health systems. This is our moment to turn historic challenges into real opportunities for economic and social development.' Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, emphasized the systemic drivers of the crisis—limited WASH infrastructure, insecurity, weak coordination, and vaccine shortages: 'Africa needs 54 million doses of oral cholera vaccine annually but receives barely half. This gap is unacceptable. Urgent action is needed to scale up local production and secure supply.' Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, welcomed the leadership shown: 'I commend the Heads of State for their vision and commitment. WHO will intensify its support to affected countries through this Call to Action.' African leaders committed to operationalizing the Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST), building on the successful mpox response, to reinforce cross-border surveillance. At the national level, they pledged to establish Presidential Task Forces on Cholera to strengthen multisectoral coordination, mobilize domestic resources, and enforce accountability frameworks. They further emphasized scaling up local vaccine manufacturing, expanding WASH infrastructure, and deepening partnerships with the private sector. Etleva Kadili, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, reminded leaders that children are most affected: 'Children bear the brunt of this crisis. Bold action and unwavering political will are urgently needed.' Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, reported significant improvements in vaccine availability—from 2 million doses in 2013 to over 21 million in 2025—and the delivery of 1.9 million rapid diagnostic kits to support outbreak detection. She reaffirmed Gavi's commitment to supporting local manufacturing in Africa through the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) and urged global support for Gavi's upcoming replenishment. In closing, H.E. Hakainde Hichilema reaffirmed his commitment to report back to the AU Assembly on progress: 'We have issued a clear Call to Action. Now we must deliver—through scaled-up domestic investments, strengthened cross-border coordination, and community-driven responses. Africa needs one continental IMST, one community-centered plan, and one accountability framework.' The meeting marks a turning point in Africa's response to cholera—anchored in high-level political ownership, multisectoral collaboration, and continental solidarity. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
Zawya
3 days ago
- Zawya
Egypt's pharmaceutical market hits $6.21bln in 2024, marking 43% growth
Egypt's pharmaceutical market recorded EGP 309bn in sales in 2024, up from EGP 216bn in 2023—reflecting a 43% year-on-year increase, according to Ali Ghamrawy, Chairperson of the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA). The announcement came during the EDA's 15th Board of Directors meeting, attended by Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan Mohamed El-Khatib, and Presidential Health Advisor Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din, alongside other senior officials. The meeting reviewed several strategic updates, including the latest activities of the Permanent Committee of the Egyptian Pharmacopeia and progress in digital transformation across the Authority. These digital initiatives aim to enhance service delivery efficiency and strengthen the institutional work environment. A key highlight of the meeting was the EDA's continued success in gaining international accreditation. In December 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) awarded the Authority Maturity Level 3 status in the field of medicines—an achievement that follows its earlier Maturity Level 3 accreditation for vaccines in March 2022. EDA laboratories have also been accredited by both the WHO and the European Union, a milestone that positions them as globally recognized reference labs. The Authority's growing international presence was further underscored by its contributions to regulatory capacity-building programs across the Arab and African regions. With WHO Maturity Level 3 recognition in both medicine and vaccine regulation, the EDA has assumed a leading role in supporting regulatory system development throughout Africa. The African Union Development Agency – NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) has selected EDA's Continuing Professional Development Center as a Regional Centre of Regulatory Excellence (RCORE). Under this designation, the Authority has conducted 12 international training programs for countries including Libya, Yemen, Ghana, and Algeria. Additionally, the meeting showcased progress in EDA's internship programs, including the pilot launch of a new Learning Management System (LMS) platform aimed at enhancing professional training and knowledge transfer. © 2024 Daily News Egypt. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
