Over 63 Million Citizens Benefited from Community Health Insurance: Health Minister

Addis Ababa, July 6, 2025 (FMC) — More than 63 million Ethiopians benefited from the Community Health Insurance service during the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year, marking a major step forward in expanding access to affordable healthcare, Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba announced on Saturday.

The minister made the statement during a national performance review forum held in Addis Ababa, which focused on the Community Health Insurance Service, the Seqota Pledge, and the National Food and Nutrition Strategy.

Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh and other senior government officials were in attendance.

Dr. Mekdes emphasized that improving nutrition remains central to building a healthy and productive population.

She noted that Ethiopia’s 10-Year Food and Nutrition Strategy, along with the expanded Seqota Pledge, has recorded notable achievements over the past four years.

According to the minister, the Seqota Pledge was extended to 334 districts in the 2017 fiscal year, reaching millions of pregnant and lactating women and children. The government plans to expand the initiative to 520 districts in 2018, with the ultimate goal of eliminating malnutrition by 2022 (Ethiopian Calendar).

She also cited national efforts like the Green Legacy initiative as contributors to strengthening Ethiopia’s nutrition system and supporting broader public health outcomes.

Mekdes reported that national health service coverage has now surpassed 95%, supported by continued investment in building resilient health infrastructure.

To ensure access for low-income citizens, the government is implementing the Health Insurance Strategy across the country. The Community Health Insurance program currently operates in 1,195 districts, covering 63 million people.

The minister credited this achievement to the successful nationwide rollout of an income-based contribution system.