EPHI and UKHSA Strengthen Public Health Security Partnership
The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on public health security, with a focus on emergency preparedness, disease surveillance, technical capacity and regional leadership.
Dr. Mesay Hailu, Director General of EPHI welcomed the UKHSA delegation and emphasized the Institute’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, expanding technical cooperation and enhancing EPHI’s role as a regional public health hub. He underscored the importance of strengthening leadership training and practical governance capabilities across EPHI’s management structure, noting the shared technical experience between EPHI and UKHSA.
EPHI’s Deputy Director General Dr. Melkamu Abte briefed the delegation on progress in Public Health Emergency Management, including disease surveillance, cross-border monitoring, outbreak assessment and preparedness for emerging and climate-sensitive diseases.
He emphasized the importance of multi-sectoral emergency response, real-time outbreak assessment and continuous testing of preparedness capabilities. The briefing also highlighted simulation exercises, including recent exercises conducted with UKHSA technical support, as part of efforts to strengthen readiness for high-consequence public health threats.
Africa CDC's Continental Lead for IHR-SP, Dr. Bayad Nozad on his behalf affirmed the continuity of the partnership between the institutions.
As part of this continued partnership, UKHSA representatives visited EPHI during the Public Health Surveillance and Response for CBRN Incidents: CPD & Case Validation Workshop, being held from 24–28 August 2026 at the EPHI National Training Centre in Addis Ababa.
The workshop is organized by EPHI in collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency’s International Health Regulations (IHR) Strengthening Project, with support from the UK Department of Health and Social Care and UK International Development. The collaboration is being supported through the IHR Strengthening Project, which works with national and international partners to enhance public health systems and preparedness for health emergencies.
The workshop provides an important platform for experts and stakeholders to validate approaches, share technical experience, and strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents.
A UKHSA delegation also visited EPHI’s National Public Health Emergency Operation Center (PHOEC) and Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) laboratory to review progress under the UK aid-funded International Health Regulations (IHR) Strengthening Project and identify priorities for further collaboration.
The two institutions also agreed to strengthen preparedness for high-consequence pathogens, including Ebola and Marburg virus, expand laboratory diagnostic capacity, and explore artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics for disease surveillance.
The partnership further supports Ethiopia’s One Health agenda, antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic disease surveillance, as well as implementation of the National Action Plan for Health Security and One Health Strategy.
UKHSA commended Ethiopia’s cross-sectoral approach to health security and expressed continued support for emergency preparedness exercises, laboratory capacity and sub-national emergency management.
Both institutions will pursue technical exchanges, expert deployments, academic collaboration and joint research, while continuing engagement through regional platforms including Africa CDC and the International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI).
August 27, 2026 2.5K
