Addis Ababa, June 6, 2026 (FMC) — Addis Ababa City Administration has inaugurated the Addis Forensic and Toxicology Center of Excellence at Menelik II Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, marking the establishment of Ethiopia’s first integrated facility dedicated to forensic science, toxicology, and advanced DNA-based services.
The center was officially inaugurated on Firday by Addis Ababa City Administration Mayor Adanech Abiebie, in the presence of senior government officials and stakeholders in the health sector.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mayor Adanech said the newly established center is equipped with advanced, internationally standardized laboratory technologies designed to significantly enhance the country’s capacity for forensic and scientific analysis.
She noted that Menelik II Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, which has served the public for more than 116 years, had not previously hosted such modern, high-technology forensic infrastructure. According to the mayor, sustained government attention to the health sector has enabled the expansion of world-class medical services and the modernization of existing facilities.
The center is designed to provide integrated, one-stop services in forensic science, toxicology, DNA analysis, and related laboratory investigations. It is equipped with approximately 80 advanced diagnostic and analytical instruments that support both medical and judicial applications.
Mayor Adanech said the facility will reduce Ethiopia’s reliance on foreign laboratories for DNA and related forensic testing, thereby saving foreign currency and significantly reducing turnaround times for critical results.
She further explained that the center incorporates a DNA information storage and comparison system (CODIS), which enables DNA profiling to support criminal investigations, identity verification, paternity testing, and the determination of family relationships based on scientific evidence.
Mayor Adanech also highlighted broader achievements in the health sector over the past five years, including the construction of four world-class hospitals and the renovation and expansion of existing facilities, as part of ongoing efforts to modernize healthcare delivery in Addis Ababa.
She reaffirmed the city administration’s commitment to advancing high-technology healthcare services and strengthening professional capacity in the sector.
For her part, Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba described the center as a major milestone for both Ethiopia’s health and justice systems, stating that it will deliver forensic, genetic, and toxicological services under a unified framework.
She said the government continues to implement a health policy that integrates prevention and treatment, while prioritizing the expansion of specialized and high-technology healthcare services.
Dr. Mekdes noted that the center will strengthen the country’s capacity to conduct scientific investigations, improve the quality of forensic evidence used in the justice system, and expand professional training opportunities in specialized medical and laboratory fields.
She added that only five institutions currently provide forensic examination services in Ethiopia, with the new facility expected to significantly expand national capacity, alongside another facility that will soon begin operations.
The minister also emphasized that services previously requiring costly overseas referrals can now be conducted domestically, improving accessibility and strengthening national scientific capability.