Ethiopia has reaffirmed its commitment to global health security by submitting its annual health security assessment, known as the State Party Self-Assessment Annual Report (SPAR), to the World Health Assembly (WHA). This mandatory report, required under Article 54 of the International Health Regulations (IHR), evaluates the country’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health risks.

SPAR is a crucial tool countries use to assess their national health security capacities. Developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), this self-assessment framework includes 35 indicators that measure 15 key health security capacities, such as coordination, financing, disease surveillance, human resources, health emergency management, infection prevention and control and health service provision. 

Ethiopia has consistently submitted its SPAR report each year since 2010. The 2024 assessment was prepared during a workshop held from January 21-24, 2025, in Hawassa. The workshop brought together over 80 experts from various government sectors, including health, agriculture, and environment, as well as representatives from United Nations Organizations, U.S. government entities, and other health partners.

During the workshop, experts from different fields evaluated the country’s health security infrastructure, assessing Ethiopia’s capacity to detect, assess, notify, report, and respond to public health threats. The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) provided technical and operational support to facilitate the process.

(Word Health Organisation)