Addis Ababa, January 11, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia has established a comprehensive health regulation system to enhance the safety, quality, and efficiency of food, medicine, and health service delivery, Health State Minister Frehiwot Abebe said Saturday.
Addressing the inauguration of an advocacy forum titled “Stronger Health Regulation for a Resilient Health System,” the minister emphasized that the country’s health policy prioritizes the protection of citizens’ health and the safety of medical and food products, reflecting a substantial improvement in national health standards.
State Minister Frehiwot explained that the policy framework is designed to ensure the quality and safety of healthcare services, raise the standard of domestically produced products, and improve Ethiopia’s competitiveness in the global market.
She highlighted that the coverage of locally produced medicines has expanded significantly, rising from 8 percent to 60 percent over the past two years.
According to the minister, a robust regulatory system not only strengthens the production and quality of medicines and medical equipment within the country but also contributes to conserving foreign exchange.
Frehiwot further noted that effective health regulation could create opportunities for Ethiopia to develop its medical tourism sector.
In line with this, the ministry is preparing a medical tourism strategy aimed at leveraging the sector’s untapped potential.
The minister also stressed the critical need to reinforce regulatory mechanisms across the nation to establish a resilient and efficient health system.
Finally, she underscored the importance of improving institutional coordination and digital infrastructure to ensure that regulatory oversight and services are accessible throughout all health facilities nationwide.