Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr Mekdes Daba, has urged African nations to enhance their disease prevention and control systems by investing in modern laboratory infrastructure and skilled medical professionals.
Speaking at the opening of the first Russian-African Sanitation and Emergency Rapid Response Team training seminar in Addis Ababa on Friday, Dr Daba underscored the importance of regional cooperation in strengthening health security.
The three-day seminar, hosted by Ethiopia, brought together public health experts from 15 African countries to build capacity for rapid emergency response and improve the delivery of evidence-based medical services.
During the event, Russia officially handed over a state-of-the-art mobile laboratory to Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health. The facility, which can diagnose more than 300 diseases, is expected to significantly boost epidemic preparedness both in Ethiopia and the wider region.
“This facility will serve not only Ethiopia but also neighbouring countries, enhancing regional health cooperation and preparedness for disease outbreaks,” Dr Daba said at the handover, alongside Anna Popova, Head of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor).
She also reiterated the commitment of both nations to deepening collaboration in health and related sectors. Ethiopia currently operates 33 laboratories nationwide, with plans to increase the number to 40.
“Russian support differs from conventional aid; it goes beyond assistance to promote sustainable independence and resilience,” Dr Daba added.
