Ethiopia reports on health security capacity to WHO

ETHIOPIA— Ethiopia has once again showcased its dedication to global health security by submitting its annual State Party Self-Assessment Annual Report (SPAR) to the World Health Assembly (WHA).

This report, mandated by the International Health Regulations (IHR), measures the country’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to public health risks.

The SPAR framework, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), encompasses 35 indicators spread across 15 key health security capacities, including coordination, financing, disease surveillance, and health emergency management.

Since 2010, Ethiopia has consistently submitted its SPAR report, reflecting its ongoing commitment to bolstering its health security infrastructure.

The 2024 report was prepared during a workshop held from January 21-24, 2025, in Hawassa.

More than 80 experts from various government sectors, including health, agriculture, and the environment, came together with representatives from United Nations organizations, U.S. government agencies, and other health partners.

The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) played a vital role in providing technical and operational support throughout this process.

During the workshop, experts reviewed Ethiopia’s health security infrastructure, focusing on its capacity to detect, assess, notify, report, and respond to public health threats.

The findings revealed that Ethiopia’s overall IHR capacity score for 2024 stood at 69%, which significantly exceeds both the African regional average of 51% and the global average of 57%.

This accomplishment underscores the country’s dedication to enhancing its health security system.

However, the assessment also pinpointed several areas needing improvement, such as Food Safety (40%), Infection Prevention and Control (53%), Human Resources (60%), and Chemical Events Preparedness (60%).

The report emphasizes the need for targeted capacity-building initiatives to address these shortcomings and create a more resilient public health system.

Ethiopia officially submitted its SPAR report on January 31, 2025, fulfilling its obligations to the WHO.

Beyond being a requirement for international health monitoring, this report will serve as a valuable reference for planning health security initiatives and establishing national targets for the coming year.

Ethiopia’s ongoing commitment to global health security demonstrates that enhancing its IHR capacities will better prepare the nation for public health challenges, both locally and globally.

Each State Party is tasked with completing the assessment using a multisectoral approach that incorporates input from diverse government sectors and health security partners.

The results empower nations to identify their strengths and weaknesses in public health systems, ultimately strengthening global preparedness for pandemics and other health emergencies.

State Parties are encouraged to begin their self-assessments mid-year using the web-based SPAR platform to simplify data collection and reporting.

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